Couch-potato Christianity

Tonight I attended a Bible study where we discussed the trials of the early church that begins to be fleshed out in the book of Acts. As the historical record makes clear, not just the bible but extra-biblical sources of the first several centuries after the resurrection of our Lord, these Christians faced unimaginable persecution. That is why they were forced underground into the dark, cold catacombs to practice their faith. People don't do such things if their lives are not at risk. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." Precisely when the enemies of Christ thought they had aborted this infant movement, those so persecuted rose up to spread the gospel around the entire Mediterranean world.
Would we do the same today? In our cities and suburbs we can find churches mere blocks away from each other, all well heated or air-conditioned with cushioned theater seats and uplifting "I'm o.k you're o.k." messages. Don't want to upset anyone, especially when the offering plate makes the rounds. And just to make things convenient, like drive-thru fast food open at any hour, we can chose any service time to attend.
"Don't cramp my style, besides the game starts in half an hour".
God help us. If the church had to have been started in the 21st century, we would still be praying to rocks and trees. But the good news is that it is not left in the hands of weak, fallible sinners like us. The church came from the side of the crucified Lord of life and belongs to Him alone. As Christ declared to Peter after the apostle's confession of His being the messiah, "thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build MY church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"(Matt. 16:18). The gates of hell have indeed been trying since the beginning of the church. They have yet to succeed. With Christ for us they won't. "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world"(Matt. 28:20).