Turn Up The Temp

Hot or Cold

TEXT: Revelation 3:14–22 Key Verse: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (v. 20)

BOTTOM LINE: Jesus doesn’t come to shame a lukewarm church—He comes to stir a new fire within it.

A New Beginning, a New Season

“This is my first Sunday with you, and it’s the start of a brand-new season. You’re probably wondering what kind of pastor I’ll be—and I’m wondering what kind of church we’ll become together.”

“When I prayed about how to begin, God led me to a church in Revelation that had grown comfortable—but Jesus hadn’t given up on them.”

Read Revelation 3:14–22 briefly, focusing on verses 15–20.

ONE BIG IDEA: Jesus Wants to Rekindle What’s Grown Lukewarm

A. The Picture — Hot, Cold, and Lukewarm

In Laodicea, the hot springs of Hierapolis brought healing; the cold waters of Colossae brought refreshment.

But Laodicea’s lukewarm water was useless—by the time it traveled through aqueducts, it was tepid and mineral-stained.

Jesus used that image to say: “I want your faith to matter—to heal like heat and refresh like cold water.”

Hot faith heals. Cold faith refreshes. Lukewarm faith forgets why faith even matters.

B. The Heart — Jesus Still Knocks

The tone of the passage isn’t rage—it’s relationship.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”

Jesus doesn’t abandon the lukewarm; He invites them to open the door again.

That’s what revival looks like—not hype, but an open door where Christ comes back to the center.

C. The Hope — A Church That Burns and Blesses

As your new pastor, my prayer is that our ministry together will be both hot and cold:

Hot enough to heal the broken and bring comfort to the hurting.

Cold enough to refresh the weary and give Living Water to the thirsty.

We’re not here to maintain temperature—we’re here to change the climate.

Romans 12:11 — “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

CONCLUSION – An Invitation, Not a Rebuke

“Jesus isn’t scolding Laodicea—He’s saying, ‘Let Me back in.’ That’s the invitation for us today.”

“As your pastor, I’m not here to bring the fire—I’m here to fan the flame that’s already here.”

“Together, let’s open the door and ask Him to turn up the temperature of our faith, our worship, and our love.”

Bottom Line (Reveal Here): Jesus doesn’t come to shame a lukewarm church—He comes to stir a new fire within it.

Closing prayer suggestion: “Lord, as we begin this new season together, open our hearts again. Rekindle what’s grown cool. Make our lives healing to the hurting and refreshing to the weary. Turn up the temperature in us until Your love burns bright through this church.”