Sons Of Thunder Series

Sermon: Sons of Thunder

Thesis: The Sons of Thunder teach us the importance following Jesus. They demonstrate what it means to be a bold witness for Jesus and go all in for the Kingdom of God. Their lives show us how God can will transform us into what he wants us to be. Like when John became both the Son of Thunder and the Apostle of love.

Scripture:

Mark 3:16-19: 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Luke 9:54: Samaritan Opposition

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went to another village.

Notice the name Sons of Thunder is born to highlight James and John!

The Transfiguration of Jesus happened before the incident where James and John wished to call down fire on the Samaritans. If you know about the Transfiguration, it’s where Jesus revealed his glory to Peter, James, and John on a mountain top. It is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They saw Jesus in all his glory radiant like the sun and having a meeting with Moses and Elijah.

Key Details:

The setting of the transfiguration of Jesus: Jesus takes three of his apostles, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain to pray.

During the prayer time Jesus has a Transformation: Jesus is transfigured, his face shining like the sun and his clothes becoming dazzling white.

Appearances: Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Jesus.

Then they hear a voice from the Cloud: God the Father's voice comes from a cloud, proclaiming Jesus as his Son and commanding the disciples to listen to him.

Significance of this event is it reveals a Revelation of Jesus Divine Glory: The Transfiguration provides a glimpse of Jesus' true, divine nature and glory, which is normally veiled in his humanity.

Promise of the Kingdom: The event is connected to Jesus' previous statement about the kingdom of God coming with power.

See The Transfiguration

Matthew 17: 1-13: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

The event where James and John sought to destroy the Samaritans, those who refused to give Jesus and the disciples hospitality, is recorded in Luke 9:51-56. The Transfiguration is generally understood to have occurred during the Galilean ministry of Jesus, while the incident with the Samaritans is part of Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem, which follows the Galilean ministry. So the incident with James and John happens after this supernatural event revealing the glory of Jesus and having a meeting with Moses and Elijah.