Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

We as Christians, as the Church, are the hands and feet of Christ, we are the light of the world and the salt of the Earth (Matthew 5) I say these reminders because sometimes we forget, sometimes when we pray for God to send a miracle, we forget that God is working through and in us. We can be the miracle for others, we can do the work of Christ.

This is a good example here, the Church was under heavy persecution and was looking for a miracle, God sent Timothy to “establish and comfort you concerning your faith” The Holy Spirit was working through Timothy to be the Shepherd of this Church, during its darkest times. Just as God could be using you to help others in their darkest times also. This is what makes the true Church powerful and unstoppable, it’s a living and breathing entity, now just an organization

Notice what Paul says again “The tempter have tempted you and labor you in vain” We know the tempter is Satan, again this Church under attack by demonic forces. Just as we are under attack from Satan on a daily basis also, this is why we need the “Armor of God” (Ephesian 6) Unless the Church abides in Christ and is filled with the Holy Spirit, we will not stand

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8

Timothy reported to Paul the great faith of the Church of Thessalonica, even though the Church was being heavily persecuted, the Church never lost their faith in Jesus Christ. If someone was going to report your faith, what would they say? Paul said he “they were comforted by their faith” As Jesus said “Dont fear the one who can kill the body, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in Hell (Matthew 10:28) The Church understood this, they didn’t fear Satan or the world, they put their faith in Jesus Christ!

Paul said “For now we live, if you stand fast in The Lord” Eternal life is only through Jesus Christ, stand fast in the persecutions of Satan, stand fast in the afflictions of this world, stand fast in The Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!