In the movie Gladiator, the bloodthirsty crowd fell silent after a protracted, violent battle in which the protagonist, Maximus, unexpected slayed his opponents. Exhausted, he threw down his sword and cried to the stunned onlookers, “Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?” The iconic quote has even come to be used in memes and comedy sketches, but what’s not funny is that it appears to be the slogan of some churches. When choosing the music, lighting, décor and sermon topics, the guiding principle appears to be “are you not entertained?”
In general, a full church is better than an empty one, but it shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. The primary reason to meet on the Lord’s Day is not to have “your cup filled,” find motivation for your career, to be generally affirmed or specifically commended. The chief objective of the Sunday service (and the life of a Christian) is to glorify God. It is first and foremost to give to God, gratefully trusting that you will receive from God what He chooses to give.
Scripture repeatedly describes believers as being chosen out of this world, yet so many Christians strive to fit in with it. They don’t want to make waves or draw attention. They worry that being overtly biblical in their speech might be off-putting, but in trying to show the world that they are “not so different,” they misrepresent the truth! Jesus didn’t assimilate with His surroundings. He unapologetically highlighted biblical distinctions. Jesus didn’t dress to impress or flaunt His wit. He said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (Jn. 12:32). He attracts God’s people through a grotesque and publicly humiliating form of self-sacrifice. It is Christ “lifted up” on a cross that saves sinners. The apostle Paul reiterated the point.
And I, when I came to you, brother, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Christ and him crucified. (1Cor. 2:1-2)
Martin Lloyd-Jones observed that “the woman in Luke 7 did not draw near to the Pharisee and wash his feet with her tears and wipe them with the hair of her head. She sensed something in our Lord – his purity, his holiness, his love – and so she drew near to him.” Jesus did not concern Himself with following cultural norms. When the “cool kids” noted that He was not complying with their expectations, He quipped, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” He was telling the social leaders they didn’t need to worry about Him. They could keep on “doing what they do” as He focused on the outcasts. The world’s opinion of His actions didn’t deter Him.
I regularly drive past a church where my eyes are drawn to the bright graphics advertising the church’s “party trailer.” Others use fog machines and mood music to create a fun or soothing aesthetic, but that is a human focused perspective. Regarding false religions, Lloyd-Jones wrote, “Those that see the truth and come to Christ do so because of the distinctions, not similarities.”
The Greek word that describes Paul being “set apart” for the ministry is repeated in Matthew 13:49-50. “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” You will be eternally grateful for God’s act of separation on that day, so why are you so reluctant to distinguish yourself now?
Do others hesitate to include you in coarse humor or are you a welcome contributor? Would your co-workers be surprised to hear you quote a Bible verse? Could you be distinguished from the Jew, Muslim or Mormon that others in your circle know, or do you fit in with the generally religious people? Are you willing to be unapologetically odd to the glory of God?
And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. (Lk. 12:8-9)