When pandemics come along, every possible theory pops up. It’s a test! No, it’s judgment! It’s a Sabbath rest! It’s the devil! It’s China. Like the Covid-19, people have different theories about Jesus. His disciples understood Him over time in about three stages.

#1 Jesus is the Son of God – When Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples said, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Mt. 8:27-29) When Peter survived walking on water, the disciples said, Truly, you are the Son of God. (Mt. 14:29-33) When Jesus asked Peter, Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt. 16:15). There were too many miracles to conclude anything else. Son(s) of God is Jewish and Biblical terminology that carries the implication of ruling over nations (Seers and Doers).

#2 We are the Sons of God – We are not gods, but members of His family, citizens of His Kingdom, ambassadors of His message, and doers of his purposes. Jesus’ followers gradually understood that He was the firstborn of many brethren (Rom 8:29) and that Jesus was not ashamed to call them brothers (Heb 2:11). Jesus told them directly that He would no longer call them servants, but friends (Jn 15:15). God’s sons understand His plans and purposes and have the power and authority to carry them out on earth.

#3 The Winds Obey Sons, too – The most joyous discovery was when Jesus’ followers experienced His power to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and cleanse the lepers. It should not have been a surprise. Jesus told them multiple times to ask whatsoever in his name, and He would answer.

Luke 9:1-3 – When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  NIV

Luke 10:17-19 – The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. NIV

About calming the sea – Our favorite recipe for every national problem is repentance (2 Chron 7:14). Our sin is not the cause of every dilemma, and repentance isn’t always the cure. We all start there – Jesus is the only door into the kingdom, and the cross is the single vehicle of our atonement. With that foundation laid, it’s time to build on it (Heb. 6:1-3). Build what?

What’s missing is sons! Sons who can speak to storms. Servants see the world through the lens of their sin (Rom. 7); sons see the world through their Father’s eyes (Rom. 8). There is no condemnation, but sons have the responsibility to calm an occasional storm – that’s why we’re here! God is in the kingdom of heaven, but He gave stewardship of the earth to men (Ps 115:16, Gen. 1:28).

All creation is waiting for sons to operate in their authority and anointing. The earth doesn’t have a purpose until we give it one. We see nations and businesses and people as additional parts of God’s creation that are in chaos until they find their purpose. That’s our job – connecting nature, nations, businesses, and people with their purpose and their creator. We’re setting captives free who are longing to live out their design in their DNA; the purpose God wrote in their hearts. Sons ask for their inheritance – nations! The miracles of Jesus and sons heal everything from people to our land. The winds and the flu must obey!

Rom. 8:19 – The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration (No purpose), not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children (sons) of God.

Ps.2:8 – Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 

Matt. 28:19-20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… NASU

Speak to the storm – Who hopes for what he already sees (Rom. 8:24). We don’t have to hope the flu season is over. We don’t have to hope the economy doesn’t end in world-wide depression. Sons can see what the Father is doing in heaven and bring it to earth – do it with Him, just like Jesus did (Jn. 5:19). Our Father is all about bringing Reformation to every nation, every corner of the earth, and to every person. This is the most exciting time in history to be alive – Great victories are in store for sons!

Mt. 16:18-19 – upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.  19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” NASU

Are you kidding? – Nope, you can connect with your heart. You can develop your seer gift. And you can do something with the Spirit of sonship. Intentional Reformation is a great place to start – Available April 10 on Amazon.

Cutting room floor

1. Jesus is the son of God (Mt 16:16-18)
   1. Matt 8:27-29 – “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. 29 And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? NASU
   2. Matt 14:29-33 – Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” NIV
   3. Matt 16:15-19 – “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.  19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” NASU

2. We are the sons of God (not gods, but members of His family; citizens of His Kingdom and ambassadors of His message).
   1. Jesus is the firstborn among many brothers
      1. Rom 8:29 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren; NASB
      2. Heb 2:11 – Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. NIV
   2. No longer servants, friends (John 15:15)

3. The winds obey sons too
   1. Luke 9:1-3 – 9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. NIV
   2. Luke 10:17-19 – The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. NIV

Eph 1:11-12 – In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will  NIV

Rom 8:14-36

14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration (No purpose), not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?