The Real Stickem
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:35
Why do people stay in a church?
I wish I could tell you it's because of powerful preaching. I've seen people stay in churches where the preacher couldn't preach himself out of a wet paper bag. I wish I could tell you it's because of the music. Some of us love it, some of us just tolerate it. I wish I could tell you it's the programs or the building or the activities.
But none of that is what keeps people.
The real stickem is relationship. People come because of an event or an activity, but they stay because of people. They stay because someone invested in their life. They stay because when they went through a hard season, somebody walked with them.
Paul had only spent about a month with the believers in Thessalonica, but listen to his words: "We were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8).
A month. And yet the bond was deep enough that he couldn't stand not knowing how they were doing. That's what happens when you invest in people rather than just programs.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
The church isn't held together by slick production. It's held together by people who genuinely care about each other. That's the glue. That's the stickem.
Are you stuck to anyone?
Why do people stay in a church?
I wish I could tell you it's because of powerful preaching. I've seen people stay in churches where the preacher couldn't preach himself out of a wet paper bag. I wish I could tell you it's because of the music. Some of us love it, some of us just tolerate it. I wish I could tell you it's the programs or the building or the activities.
But none of that is what keeps people.
The real stickem is relationship. People come because of an event or an activity, but they stay because of people. They stay because someone invested in their life. They stay because when they went through a hard season, somebody walked with them.
Paul had only spent about a month with the believers in Thessalonica, but listen to his words: "We were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8).
A month. And yet the bond was deep enough that he couldn't stand not knowing how they were doing. That's what happens when you invest in people rather than just programs.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
The church isn't held together by slick production. It's held together by people who genuinely care about each other. That's the glue. That's the stickem.
Are you stuck to anyone?
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2026
January
Are You Living Like He's Coming?Are You Worth Following?Are Your Sins Confessed Up to Date?God's PlanBut Wait, There's MoreLean on God in UncertaintyCaught Off GuardLearning to Be AloneDoes Your Ministry Stick?Worrying Won't Get You AnywhereDon't Waste Your PainJesus is Coming BackPraying According to God's WillWe are Different for a ReasonLearning to Say NoGod is Working In UsDon't Watch. Pray.It Will Cost YouJoy in the Middle of HellMinistry Happens in the Mess of Real LifeFaith That Doesn't Need AnswersThe Gospel Changes EverythingThe Question That Changes EverythingWhat are You Still Holding?When God Calls You to Small ThingsWhen Light and Darkness CollideWhen Love Changes EverythingWhen Your Faith Has a ReputationWorth the SacrificeYou Must Be Present to WinWhen God Nudges Your Heart
February
Jesus is Coming BackPraying According to God's WillWe Are Different For A ReasonLearning To Say NoGod Is Working In UsGod’s Plan Needs YouMinistry Happens Heart to HeartDon’t Abuse Your Free WillDo Your Words And Your Actions Matchup?Seek God FirstA Safe PersonTrust over WorryTruth Over ApplauseForgetting Your First LoveNever Stop WorshipingWalking Humbly with GodIt’s All About JesusPraise the LordPraying To Remind YourselfYou Made the TeamYour Pain Has a PurposeReal FriendsReplacing GodSpecific ConfessionSpiritual AlignmentThis World Is Not Our HomeOpen the GatesOne Life Is Worth It All
March
Crooked Lines to Straight DestinationsDead Men Feel NothingDon't Twist the TranslationWhen Tradition Becomes a TrapRooted TogetherLeave Room for God's JusticeYour Relationship, Your ResponsibilityGod Loves Big Churches TooNot What You ExpectedTwelve Inches from HellYou Don't Need a BuildingHow Truth Gets TwistedThe Danger of "Plus"Equipped for EverythingThe Pull You Can't IgnoreHungry for MoreReset Your SystemThe Word Does the WorkYou're Already a SaintYou Need a CoachOpposition Fuels GrowthTake the Weight OffGod Doesn't Change His MindWho's Really in Charge?When God Get's Your AttentionActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Ready For Jesus To Come Back?
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