Christian
Who Do You Serve?
Can you serve two masters? The Bible tells us no, yet some still try.
In this episode Simon finds himself in the middle of a family dispute with competing businesses.
We also will learn how and why Simon left his biker club.
Simon had to decide who he serves.
How to watch: You can stream Sons of Thunder from Pure Flix, a Christian-based streaming service.
Where's Simon Going Now?
When we last left Simon, he was leaving a border town in Texas and looking for his next adventure.
This episode opens up with Simon pulling into a gas station in Texas and the shot contains a sign about the Channel of Deep Creek, which was once a place of baptisms.
Soon a group of 5 guys on motorcycles pull into the gas station. Given the way they are dressed, I kind of thought they were more of the weekend rider types.
The show seemed to play up some possible tension Simon was feeling as they arrived.
Alas, nothing happened, and we're quickly taken into a flashback scene.
The Bar
In this flashback scene we see Simon sitting down in a bar looking at the entrance as some men and a lady come through.
When the last guy comes in, he and Simon share a nod.
The guy goes over to the bartender (Dixie) and orders two drinks.
Who is this guy? Important perhaps?
He walks over to Simon, who is reading the Bible, and puts the drinks down.
Simon quickly pushes the drink away and as he does, we get a glimpse of the Devil tattoo on his right hand.
And now we see the new character in more focus. It's Angie D, the president of the biker club.
As they talk, and Angie flips through Simon's Bible, we're led to believe that Simon hasn't been participating as expected in the club over the last couple of weeks.
Angie asks where Simon got the Bible from and he replied that he found it, which is true.
It's kind of great that we have this big, tough guy in a biker gang going about his business and God found a way to drop His Word into Simon's lap through a "lost" Bible.
Also, we learn that Simon's club name is Dozer (Bulldozer?).
So, Angie continues to talk to Simon about this upcoming event and he wants to know if he's not going to mess up like last time.
Simon tells him that he's skipping out because of a "thing with Jackie," and that isn't received well.
Angie reminds him that the club comes first.
He says, "Your girl don't come before us and neither does this (points to the Bible)."
Angie informs Simon that some in the club are getting worried about Simon's commitment (scene pans to a guy sitting at a bar—Ringo).
This is a great moment. It feels like Simon thought he was going to be able to learn about God while keeping his present life largely unchanged.
But the Bible tells us that we can't serve two masters. In Simon's case, it's God or the club.
After the flashback ends, we see Simon leaving the gas station and off to destination unknown.
Black Gold Dispute
As Simon is riding down the road, he sees two men fighting and one has a sledge hammer in his hand.
Wanting to help, Simon pulls off the road and engages with the two men.
Evidently this is some sort of oil business dispute.
One is calling the other a thief and a coward and the other man is saying he's nuts.
Simon insists there's a better way to solve this dispute than the way it's heading.
As the older man gets in his vehicle to leave, we learn that his name is Lane and the younger man is accusing him of going after his contracts.
With that over, the remaining man turns to Simon and asks why he's getting involved in someone else's business.
Simon replies that it looked like it was about to become the police's business.
We can see that this guy is very angry—he even claims he has the right to be angry.
As the man is walking away, Simon asks him, "What would Jesus do?"
He turns about and asks Simon if Jesus had any dirty competitors in the wood-working business.
They talk a little more and the man finally asks if he's done preaching and starts to walk away again.
Simon asks if he does all the work for himself and we then learn that this man had help but lost them all to Lane.
Needing workers, he offers Simon a job and a place to pitch his bedroll (the man's work garage).
Garage Hotel
Later in the evening we find Simon reading his Bible in the garage when a woman approaches with a plate of food.
We learn it's Haley, the wife of Joseph (we finally know the younger man's name).
She heard about a new worker and decided some food was in order.
After offering to fetch some blankets for Simon, she sees he is reading the Bible and asks if he's a Christian.
He says he tries to be.
Haley is happy about this because she says Joseph needs more Christian friends (or friends at all).
As she's leaving, she turns around and tells Simon that Joseph is a good honest guy, but he suffers from anger issues. She asks Simon to just give him a chance.
Simon begins to eat and Haley notices he didn't pray first, which caught Simon by surprise.
He looks in the back of the Bible for directions on praying for food.
Simon could have found one example of praying, which mentions food, in Matthew 6:5-15 (The Model Prayer).
Work Time
This scene opens with Simon and Joseph having a conversation about Haley in a work truck.
Joseph claims his wife is too nice and then says Haley wanted him to invite Simon to dinner.
[Close Caption] The CC text will say "Amy" instead of Haley. It's probably because the way he says Haley sounds like Amy.
He tells Simon to make sure he cleans up for the dinner before showing up.
As the men pull into a work site, there's another man there (Gabe). The men know each other.
Gabe proudly tells Joseph about his new truck and Joseph immediately makes a negative comment about it—he would have went diesel instead.
As Gabe crosses his arms Joseph asks if he's come to a decision on a plumbing contractor for some new tanks.
Gabe informs Joseph that he's going with Lane because Lane has the workforce. Evidently Joseph undercut the bid, so he was surprised (and angry) that Gabe is going to Lane.
As Joseph is ranting, Simon tells him that he would have helped if he was more polite.
As they go round, and round about being polite and who's fault things are, Simon tells him that the Bible says to be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove.
Joseph mocks Simon and calls him "Simon, the Dove."
Time to Eat
With Simon, Joseph and Haley sitting down to dinner and Haley leads in prayer.
Simon now has an example of how to pray before eating.
Haley asks Simon if he has a church—Simon has never had one—and invites him to Sunday services with them.
She confirms with Joseph that it's ok for Simon to join and he begrudgingly says yes.
You get the sense that Joseph just doesn't want to be bothered much.
Praise Him
It's Sunday and we're going to church.
Despite this, it's clear Joseph is still upset and bringing it to church with him, because Haley is asking him to leave it at the door.
They run into Mary, Hayley's mom, and Simon is introduced.
Simon tries to shake Mary's hand, but he's told that's not done here. Mary tells him to give her a hug instead.
We're told Mary's husband is in the sanctuary schmoozing with the other men. She asks Joseph to join them, but he is reluctant.
Mary then asks Simon if he has a church (like mother like daughter).
Turns out Simon hasn't been in a church since he was a little kid. I kind of figured this was Simon's first church experience as an adult.
As this conversation settles down, Hayley's dad comes walking up.
It's Lane!
Oh boy, this episode is all about family issues.
Joseph proudly introduces Simon as someone who's working for him now.
Lane kind of has this "okaaaaay" look on his face.
Fortunately, church services are starting, so this exchange can't go much further right now.
We're taken into the sanctuary of this small church—I happen to like smaller churches—and the pastor is preaching about persecution.
The pastor is asking if anyone has been threatened because they used the name of Jesus and that the demons trembled at His name.
At his point, Simon has a flashback.
Persecution
Simon is working away in a garage when Ringo walks up. We can see from the jacket patch that Ringo is the "SGT at ARMS" for the club.
Sitting on a motorcycle, Ringo asks Simon to come outside and to "bring that Bible you've been hiding."
Ringo begins mocking Simon saying that God and "that book" can't save him.
He says that Simon's head is messed up and if he keeps reading "that book" like he's been doing that the club will lose Simon, just like they lost Saul, Riggs and Kestler.
I'm guessing these three weren't lost due to Christianity, but rather via death.
Ringo tells him to throw the Bible in the fire right now and then goes on to talk about how Simon has to choose because he can't have "that book" and the club.
Simon tells Ringo he's right and he walks back to the garage as the flashback ends.
Living for the King
After the flashback, we're brought back to the conclusion of the pastor's message.
He talks about how we have affliction in this life because we follow the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
And that we must suffer in this life if we want to reign with Him in the next life.
As the scene ends, the congregation is shaking the pastor's hand as they walk out of the door.
Both Joseph and Lane accuse the pastor's message as being meant for the other.
When Simon comes up to the pastor, he asks him if he believes that God really forgives everybody for everything.
Of course, the pastor says yes and tells Simon that God is a loving God and that his whole purpose for sending Jesus was to forgive us and draw us closer to Him.
Simon has done some really bad things in the past and he's having trouble believing that he can be completely forgiven.
And speaking of forgiveness, Joseph will need some as we see him shoving his father-in-law Lane at church.
Joseph storms out and drives away, leaving Simon behind.
Fortunately, Lane and Mary offer Simon a ride.
At Home
After arriving back at Joseph's home, Mary is demanding that Lane apologize. According to her, Lane knew that his words would set Joseph off.
He claims that Joseph won't accept his apology, but he gives it anyway.
As predicted, Joseph just crosses his arms and doesn't reply.
This brings up a great verse in Matthew about forgiving others (even when it's hard) if you want God to forgive you.
Later, Haley is showing Simon where the laundry room is and she's clearly frustrated. She wants Simon to tell her why her husband and father are always going at each other.
We're told that Joseph and Lane used to get along, but now they just go at it.
Simon correctly tells her that when people don't want to change, there's only one (God) who can change them.
Haley says she's been praying daily, but nothing is happening.
All in God's time Haley, all in God's time. Keep praying.
Work Site Problems
The next day Simon and Joseph are driving up to a worksite and Lane is there talking with a couple other guys.
Joseph jumps out of the truck and I just know something is going to happen. Joseph is such a firecracker.
The men turn around and say hi to Joseph, but he isn't hearing it.
He walks right up to Lane and punches him in the face and says, "that's what you get."
Thankfully, Simon quickly restrains Joseph and Lane doesn't retaliate.
Lane explains he wasn't going after contracts and that he was just there to visit. The other men confirm this and one of them decides to call the Sheriff.
This leads us into another Simon flashback.
Crisis of Faith
Simon walks up to the bar (Ringo gives him a stare down) and sits next to Angie, who doesn't want to look at him.
Angie asks: "Crisis of faith?"
Simon tells him that if the club finds having faith a crisis, then he wants out.
While Simon isn't quite getting it yet, he would soon discover that you can't follow Jesus Christ and kill, steal, womanize, etc.
Angie informs Simon that he can't leave without his blessing. He goes on to talk about all that the club has done for him and how he's throwing it all away after reading one book.
And he tells Simon that you can't go back on your oath because of the words of some "long-haired, long-dead hippie."
Angie goes to get tougher and Simon doesn't like it so he gets up. Ringo sees this, rushes over and grabs Simon.
Not liking being touched, Simon slams Ringo onto the bar counter.
And the flashback ends.
Working Solo
Simon arrives at Joseph's home by himself and begins packing up in the garage as it looks like the job is over and things are taking a turn for the worst.
Before leaving, he looks up (perhaps praying) and ends up walking to the table to get the work clipboard.
Rather than riding off in the sunset, he goes out and begins to do all of Joseph's work for him.
As he's out in the field, Mary and Haley arrive in an SUV and tell Simon they need his help for something.
Back at the garage, Joseph tells Simon that he heard about Simon doing his work. Rather than saying thanks, his first comment is hoping Simon didn't make any mistakes.
We learn that Lane has dropped the charges and that the ladies are trying to force a meeting between Joseph and Lane.
Simon is there to make sure Joseph comes into the house to talk, one way or another.
Intervention
Simon brings Joseph into the kitchen to be with the others.
Neither Joseph nor Lane know why they are there. Lane assumes Joseph is going to apologize for punching him.
Mary explains that both men are hard-hearted and that today they are going to have to talk it out and resolve the issues.
Lane tries to play the victim stating that he was just visiting with those men when Joseph stormed up and punched him.
However, both Mary and Haley call him out and claim that he doesn't do anything unless there's something in it for him.
Mary asks Lane, "Why can't you be honest?"
She then accuses Joseph of always jumping to conclusions and acting before thinking. She calls out his anger.
Mary then kicks off the question with Lane and why he's taking jobs away from Joseph.
And this time, Lane decides to be honest. He's doing it because he wants Joseph to come back to work for him.
Why though?
Turns out, Lane was preparing to give Joseph the business one day, but then Joseph went out and started his own competing business.
Joseph claims he opened the business not to compete but so he could do things his own way. He's also mad that Lane never gave him more responsibility.
With seemingly no way to reconcile this, Joseph storms outside with Haley soon to follow.
[Blooper]: When Haley gets up from the table, the back of her shirt rides up and you can see her mic pack.
Simon has another flashback.
I'm Different
This flashback continues where the last one left off.
A bloodied Ringo is yelling at Simon.
"You think you're different, but you're not. You think Jesus loves you?"
Angie is trying to tell Simon that he can walk through the door, but Ringo is out for blood. He tells him that the club are the only men who will ever accept "the monster that you are."
As Simon walks through the door, Angie's eye water up a little as it clearly affects him.
The flashback ends with us back outside with Joseph.
Change of Heart
Haley and Joseph have a nice wife to husband talk about his anger.
She tells him she didn't know Lane was going to give the business to him, but she figured as much and that it's not hard to realize that when you're not angry all the time.
Haley asks Joseph a simple question, "What do you want?"
Joseph doesn't have an answer.
Back inside, after thinking about it, Joseph apologizes to Lane for being angry and punching him in the face.
Lane apologizes for holding back Joseph and then offers for him to handle the service part of the company—Lane will still meet with the clients, a good choice.
Joseph confirms that he can do things his way and then promptly agrees.
Simon looks at Haley and points up. Her prayer has been answered by the only one who could change the men.
With everything solved, Simon figures his work here is done and he packs up.
Haley and Joseph meet him in the garage and present him with some food for the road before he rides away.
In the final scene, Simon stops at a rest stop to eat. This time he remembers to pray first.
Until next time ...
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