“You’re being followed.” I had just walked into the foyer of the gym Lynne and I recently joined. The guy at the check-in counter alerted me. I turned around and there was a buzzard sitting on the sidewalk outside the window next to the door looking in. Every few seconds, he would peck at the window.

I used to be concerned when the buzzards would circle overhead when I was out running, but having them follow me to the gym was a new twist.

It might have something to do with the heat spell we’re having. That buzzard was hoping I was “dead man walking.” The weather guys are calling it climate change, but in Texas we just call it summer. There are record highs being recorded around the country according to the talkingheads.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much heat being generated in the Church these days. Most people don’t relate heat and heaven in the same sentence. We know the other place is hot, but heaven, we’re hoping, not so much. Jesus likes heat, though — He told us so. Don’t believe me?

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16, ESV)

Not only does He like heat in the Church, but He also expects it.

Think about it. No one likes anything lukewarm! Lukewarm coffee, lukewarm soft drinks, lukewarm pizza, lukewarm oatmeal, lukewarm anything. Things should be hot or cold — not much middle ground. Jesus was addressing the church of Laodicea in these verses and, frankly, He wasn’t happy with its spiritual condition. In today’s vernacular, we’d say He’s “not a fan”!

I live in Houston, and we can tell who the Astros fans are on game days. They’re decked out in jerseys and caps and team memorabilia. It’s the same for the Rockets and the Texans. Do you know what distinguishes their fans from everyone else? Their enthusiasm! Sunday mornings in Laodicea must have been pretty boring because Jesus told them to get hot. “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)

Why so little enthusiasm on Sunday morning? Who are so many churches populated by the “frozen chosen”? Is it because too many Christians fail to see we are on the winning team? Why do I call it a team? Pastor and author (and friend) Jim Putman stated in his book Church is a Team Sport, “I don’t believe a person is a mature Christian unless they are part of Christ’s mission to reach the world through His team — the church.” (p. 66)

Like it or not, realize it or not, when you accepted Christ, you put on His team jersey! If the Church is a team, then every member needs to spend some time on the field, not sitting in the bleachers, which is standard practice in most churches. I’m not beating up on Christians — most have never been told they are expected to get out on the field and play.

Paul tells us how to “get hot,” to use modern language. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11) To be slothful is to be a couch potato. We have the best coach ever — King Jesus. We have the best equipment (armor of God), and we have the best playbook — the Bible. If you go to the end of the playbook, you see the final score is already on the board — Satan: zip; God: innumerable wins!

I say it’s time to bring that heatwave into the Church of Jesus Christ!

What say ye, Man of Valor?