“For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”
and our labor might be in vain
The thing that Paul fears is that his labor should be in vain if Satan lured the Thessalonians from their faith. If Satan cannot keep people from coming to Christ, he will discourage them as Christians.
It was Paul’s constant concern that his ministry did not end in vain.
1 Co 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Ga 4:1, “I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.”
PRINCIPLE:
Satan can neutralize the ministry by deception.
APPLICATION:
Nothing destroys ministries like complaining and arguments. Many ministries end in vain because of the disputes among leadership. Satan neutralizes the ministry by getting leadership at odds with one another.
Php 2:14-16, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
