Do you ever wonder how much superstars really need their supporting team members, supporting actors, or backup singers? 

Make a mental list right now of lead singers who went solo after successful careers with popular groups with platinum hits—but their solo careers never took off. Long list.

The apostle Paul was a spiritual rock star with the talent to go solo. But look what he said to the Christians in Thessalonica on behalf of himself and his fellow apostles Silas and Timothy: “We also long to see you. Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again” (1 Thessalonians 3:6,10). 

Superstar Paul needed these everyday Christians. Why? Paul already had hundreds of other Christian friends. His close companions Silas and Timothy, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus directly communicated with him. 

Paul answered, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” (1 Thessalonians 3:8,9). 

Paul couldn’t wait to see them standing firm “in the Lord.” And they brought him joy in the presence of God. For Paul, needing other Christians was a sign of his spiritual faith and maturity. 

Not needing other Christians, therefore, indicates a lack of spiritual faith and maturity. When you love Jesus like Paul did, then you need a small group of Christians who love Jesus too.