We have all known and loved a sitcom or two throughout our lives. I remember watching Full House, Boy Meets World, and Family Matters as a child. These shows kept you coming back week after week for a small dose of entertainment. Sitcoms have a minimal time commitment, generally half an hour, and have that tried-and-true format where a problem is presented, comedic mischief ensues, followed by the characters coming to the realization that wrongs need to be made right, which leads to the feel-good conclusion where everyone makes amends. The show always ends on an uplifting note.
Modern church services seem to have taken hold of this easy-to-digest sitcom formula and ushered in numerous people every week for a short and finely-tuned program. Many churches have multiple services, so keeping everything on track is paramount. People come in, grab their coffees, wait for the countdown on the screen, sing 3-4 songs, address a few housekeeping items, and then the show starts.
The format tends toward the same trend as a televised sitcom with a light-hearted tone and threads of comedic relief. A passage is introduced, a quick background report or refresher on its historical significance, and the problem is presented. The passage generally exposes something of the biblical characters or the people they were addressing- self-centeredness, lack of forgiveness, or lack of love toward a neighbor. At this moment, the realization is passed on to the audience that they could be guilty of these things. Bullet points give the listener tips for navigating the topic and improving. But what happens next is typical of the classic sitcom meant to leave its audience feeling good. The sermon quickly jumps from exposure of sin, though the word sin is often notably absent, and lands safely and softly in encouragement, embracing that you are enough, you may struggle, but God loves you, the end.
Does this sound familiar? If these popular and predictable sitcom-like services are drawing in flocks in growing numbers, what, if anything, could be problematic about it? The better question is when God stopped requiring us to be holy as he is holy (Lev. 19:2, 20:7, 20:26, 21:18; Ex. 19:6, 1 Pet. 1:16; 1 Thes. 4:7)? Have we progressed beyond denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following him (Mt. 16:24-25)? Would the mention of repentance for our sins cause the crowds to dissipate (Mt. 4:17; Acts 3:19-23; Lk. 13:5; 1 Jn 1:9; Prov. 28:13; Ez. 18:30-31; James 4:8)? Is it possible that the crowds may grow more significant if we gave place to the Spirit of the Lord to stir the hearts of the people to true freedom (2 Cor. 3:17)? Our pews are filled with people living in the same sin as they were last week, last month, last year. Where’s the sense of urgency that he stands on the other side of the door, that his return is imminent? Will hell be full of regular churchgoers?
When services are so carefully orchestrated, there is little room for consciences to linger on those areas of impurity that must be exposed. When sin is hastily skimmed, it fails to allow the gravity of its force and its detriment to eternity to instill or maintain a healthy fear of the Lord. Repentance is not an option in the Christian life but a daily requirement (1 Jn. 1:9). Encouraging one another lends itself to perseverance in our faith but often sin takes a backseat and encouragement takes center stage as the message informs “we all struggle,” “we all make mistakes,” “don’t worry,” “don’t feel bad,” “we all need God, and he loves us,” “we are enough.” This “Sunday sitcom” style robs the church of its potential for spiritual growth and greater purity.
Am I calling for condemnation and sending people home in shame? No. There is a clear difference between condemnation, where one HAS repented of their sin, and Satan continues to berate them with feelings of guilt and shame. I am speaking of the necessity of conviction, and because we are human, we will experience it regularly. It is the Holy Spirit working on our behalf to purify us. So often, we hear the invitations “Come as you are” and “God will meet you right where you are.” True and True. But you do not get to stay the same as you are. You cannot hold on to your sin. The process does not end with the confession of faith in Christ but intends to progress in maturity- that in the same way that he laid down his life for us, we are to lay down our lives for him. There should be a clear understanding of this Biblical model of faith in every Sunday sermon. It’s time to graduate from the milk and move to solid food (1 Cor. 3:2) to strengthen the body of Christ.
The function of the church should aid, not impede, this progression of the followers of Christ. The Holy Spirit is available every Sunday to set captives free and to break chains of bondage. Fasting and prayer should not be neglected if we are to address the sick amongst us. Those who continue to struggle with the same sin need a move of the Holy Spirit in their life, they need to be encouraged to not only repent but to “confess their sins to one another that they may be healed because the effective, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much” (James 5:16). God is loving, but he is also just. It is a grave deception to treat the topic of sin with kid gloves and adhere to the secular worldview of God. In this view, rather than God creating man in his image, man has minimized God and created him to fit their image. What kind of God do I want, what pleases me, what makes me comfortable? This “all love and no judgment ever- God” is a false God. It is not the God of the Bible who is both loving and just. The God of the Bible expects his people to be set apart and holy. Jesus’ death and resurrection did not nullify this fact. He chastises everyone he loves and accepts as a son” (Heb. 12:6).
Lord, I pray for revival in our churches. Lord, let it begin in our pulpits. I ask that you remove from the church the stench of the world. Let us not conform to the world’s way of doing things, but let us be set apart and holy as you are holy. Lord, will you move in the churches, move in the hearts of the leadership? Lord, stir in their hearts a hunger to please you, not man. Lord, will you cause our churches to experience freedom like they never have? Help the church to remove the boundaries placed on the Spirit of the Lord. We want to experience more of you, we know you are coming for a pure bride. Lord, will you purify our churches in Jesus’ mighty name? Amen.