Sons Of Thunder

Today, we are going to talk about the life of two brothers - James and John (sons of thunder).

1. The cost to follow Jesus

Mark 1:19-20
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Here we see Jesus inviting them to change their life, their history and give them a new purpose. Bible says that they followed him without delay.

They had to count the cost about their father and business. When we were studying the Bible, there was a cost to follow Jesus.

For James and John, it was not easy to give up and yet they were willing because they understood the need for salvation.

We all decided to become disciples so we could go to Heaven.

But are we staying as disciples every single day?

Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Q: Today, what is stopping you to be a disciple everyday?

James and John were excited to follow Jesus.

Luke 5:9-10
9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,
10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

Here we see James and John along with Jesus fishing. We notice that they spent most of the time with Jesus.

Q: How much time do you spend with Jesus? How much do you spend to pray and to read the Bible?

Today, what is the price you have to pay daily in order to follow Jesus? Is it bad attitude, pride or selfishness?

2. Wrong motives will not please Jesus

Remember the first time you were invited by a brother / sister?

How was your heart? After coming to church and understanding the cost of discipleship how was your heart? In our hearts we wanted to change.

Even though James and John were with Jesus all the time, let’s see what happened after some time in Mark 10:35-45.

Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,
40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Here we see James and John thinking about positions.

When they were young Christians their hearts were right with God.

But later Jesus made them to understand that we should be a servant to be great in God’s kingdom.

Older Christians, how is your heart? Do you have a young Christian heart?

Bible says that our heart is deceitful above all and beyond cure.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

They were probably wondering who would lead the movement after Jesus.

Their motives were based on position - they were corrupted.

It is easy for us also to become like them - because the heart is deceitful.

Let’s check our hearts today and decide to be servants in God’s kingdom.

Our only goal is to make it to Heaven.