1 Thessalonians 1 is not generally associated with Advent, but why not? It captures some of what we should be expecting when Jesus comes, when “the gospel” – the good news about him – comes:

There is so much in 1 Thessalonians 1, quoted here with little comment, bulleted for emphasis and clarity:

…remembering before our God and Father 

• your work of faith and 
• labor of love and 
• steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (verse 3)

…because our gospel came to you 

• not only in word, 
• but also in power and 
• in the Holy Spirit and 
• with full conviction. 
• You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (verse 5)

How does the gospel come? Or how should it come? See the list above! And when it does, people believe. And when they believe, we know that they are chosen (verse 4).

The result?

• you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for 

• you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that 

• you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has 

• the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but 

• your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how 
  • you turned to God from idols
  • to serve the living and true God, and
  • to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (verses 6 – 10)

Transformation! Conversion! Passing the good news on! That’s what happens when Jesus comes and when the news about him comes.