Sermon Nuggets Mon April 25 Anger
Verses- Matt 5:21-26
21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
THE DANGER OF ANGER
I noticed a sign that read, "Anger is only one letter away from
Danger." Proverbs like that cause us to think. We all deal with various degrees of anger. It is a normal and sometimes healthy emotion. Feelings just are, how we respond to those feelings if another matter. That can be sin.
L.A Times illustrates that point, "Paragraph for people who blow their tops and lose their tempers. It happened in the upper 50s on the East Side..A man about 55 and his wife quarreled with another driver over a parking space. Bystanders convinced the police that the other driver did not strike a blow. They said that the 55 year old man punched the other driver twice..He allegedly slugged his wife twice when she urged him to calm down, and then he walked 10 steps and dropped dead."
Too many articles reveal the sad results of people who exhibit road rage. It seems many well respected people in professional jobs can keep their anger under control at work and at home, but something triggers a release response while driving that unleashes uncontrolled venom.
There have been incidents of yelling, punching, hitting cars and people on purpose and even shooting another with a gun.
Most of us don’t deal with it to those extremes.
Dr. McMillian tells of a husband going to the drug store with his
son to pick up a prescription for his wife’s colitis. The son asked,
"Whose Mom been “colliding” with now?”
Dr.Redford B. Williams of Duke University Medical Center, in N. C. "Individuals who harbor hostility and anger toward others are five times more likely to die from heart disease and six times more likely to die prematurely from other causes
Jesus gives instructions for kingdom people. We need changed hearts and live by a different standard than the world, and a different standard than the Pharisees. Our righteousness needs to exceed that of the Pharisees.
We cannot hardly add more rules, they've done enough of that, but we can invite Jesus to come into our lives and turn control over to him. With a changed heart there is also comes changed desires. That is something that rules can never change. Many people need to have Jesus control their anger and the way it can be expressed.
Looking at this next passage in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus shows how anger can affect various areas of our lives.
How do you come across when you are angry? How is your anger displayed differently at home? At work? At church? While driving?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues April 26- Inward Anger
Matt 5: 21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
ANGER REVEALS SOMETHING IN US
Anger is the strong emotion of displeasure than can be caused by threat of harm. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact if we are threatened there are certain biological reactions to danger that are natural and normal.
Righteous anger can be caused by injustice toward another victim. Jesus was angry on a few occasions, yet the Scriptures teach He was without sin. God reveals that he is a God of wrath when injustice is done against the poor, the hungry, or the innocent. Jesus is filled with righteous anger over sin. When He was in the temple saw people making a mockery out of sacrifices by selling them at extreme profits and keeping those restricted to that area of the temple from praying. Jesus upset the tables and called the people names. Their sin was against God.
Sinful anger comes from jealousy, frustration of not getting our way, lack of patience, and selfishness.
The Greek word here has to do with brooding and boiling with resentment toward another. Anger can be increased as many of you know when you are physically tired, or when you go through extreme embarrassment, or for not able to accomplish a desired goal or if you feel rejection
Eph 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,27 and do not give the devil a foothold.”
There are expressions of anger that are sinful, and ways to be angry without sinning. One way is to resolve it and not let bad feelings continue to eat you up. A healthy response comes from recognizing our anger and confessing it to God and to others. Seek forgiveness for it if it is selfish and sinful. We need to pray about it and refer it to God. Admit it, pray about it, and seek was to talk about it to resolve it.
When I was in training at the psych ward doing an independent study under Dr. Ron Berry, I became more aware of the emotional, mental, and physical damage unresolved anger can do to Christians. I emphasize Christians because there is the belief that some say good Christians should never get mad.
I'm not so sure that is the teaching of this verse, as it is how we might handle our anger in a Christian manner.
I was talking with a lady who shared her feelings about another person. She said things for which she was sorry. Finally she prayed and made a decision. Anger is a choice in this instance. She doesn't make me mad, I choose to get upset with her. She told me in the future when she feels this way she will acknowledge her feelings, think about them, but choose to act in different manner. She did not lose her tempter. She did not ignore it, but chose to calming address the issue with another person to resolve it.
Jesus gives a completely different emphasis looking at the crime of the heart. Handle your anger in a manner that does not give the devil an opportunity to control you, or do damage to another.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds April 27 Anger as sin
Verses- Matt 5: 21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
ANGER AFFECTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
The commandment of the law is that you shall not kill. It is one of the 10 commandments. Before I began preaching in prison I knew very few murders. Now I have met a few. There is nothing about their appearance that would indicate so. I am thrilled to say some are now brothers in Christ and demonstrate a loving spirit.
People respected the law not only because God gave it, but also because of the consequences. If you took someone’s life your life could be taken.
I should note that killing in this verse and others refers to murder, as translated in the New International Version, not to all matters of taking another's life. In Scripture there are many examples killing animals, taking human life in war, or punishment by death of certain crimes carried out by civil government under the law. Hopefully capital punishment is a deterrent for someone to kill another human being. These laws seek to protect society and allow victims recourse in self-defense. Such a law was to impress on the hearts and minds of people that God punishes murders.
Violence has become a major concern across American cities. Most killings have been by family members who lose their tempers and get in arguments. Although killing of innocent, unknown victims is also on the increase. Some gang killing are for respect of others in the gang. Some psychos kill for thrills of it.
Jesus said “if you say to your brother "Raca", you are answerable to the Sanhedrin.” This is an Aramaic word Raca is a word of curse, as is fool. One is cursing against another and wishing that you could do them harm is enough to bring judgment by the local courts, the high court and even by God himself. Raca, means a curse of empty-headed, stupid imbeciles morally.
“If you say you fool you are in danger of the fire of hell.” Fool is used of a rebel and atheist. Used as an expression of contempt. Now remember, Jesus is speaking of the heart expression, not if these words are on your lips. If you carry a heart grudge, but never say a word it is just as wrong. When we let our hatred brood and boil and harbor within it is no different to God than murder. Words express what's in our hearts. Such anger affects our relations with God. It is a spiritual disease. Anger grows from the attitude the verbalizing the striking out to destroy character. It is not enough not to strike a man, the only thing that is enough from Jesus standpoint is not even hold hard feelings.
Yet what about the verse Mt. 23:17 when Jesus calls the Pharisees
blind fools? He was upset with them over their perverted legal interpretations of the Bible. When people are blind to God and leading others away from the righteousness of God by faith they should be called fools. For that is a great sin deserving of contempt and righteous anger. Sinful anger is talked about in James 4:1-3. For such an attitude of bitterness, fighting and self justification is in God's eyes deserving of Hell. We need to mourn, weep, and confess that sin that has so easily entangled us.
When they give an offering to God it is not acceptable when things are not right in the heart. Don't bother to think how righteous you are in worship when there is bitterness within. It affects our relationship with God. True worship is not stating prayers and giving large money in the offering plate. It is enhanced by better relationship with those around us.
From New Testament understanding we are not sent to hell because of the words we say, but as we had been studying in James the words from our tongue are like a thermometer to evaluate the condition of our hearts. To have a continuing cursing and embittered mouth reveals a heart that is not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Even if our actions are not taken to an extreme of murder.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs April 28- Anger among Christians
Verses- Matt 5: 23-24 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
ANGER AFFECTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH
This passage speaks of the relationship with a brother. I believe Jesus is talking about a fellow in the faith. It could mean fellow Jews as the blood line, but spiritually kingdom people go beyond blood relationship. Since the cross we are family based on a spiritual relationship with Christ. The relationship has been broken and needs to be made right again not only with God but with another as part of a biological family or a spiritual family.
Jesus taught when you go to give a gift if your brother has something against you go and make it right. His listeners practiced temple worship with animal sacrifices. When you are at worship seeking the face of the Lord, and you have something against your brother, then before you give your gifts or continue in your worship experience, then you should seek reconciliation. I think the point is also made that it is hard to ask God to forgive us our sins, when we are not willing to forgive the sin of those who have sinned against us or if we have sinned against another we must make it right with them. How can we ask God to forgive us when we refuse to obey him? The call for sincere worship both in our relationship with God and in our relationship with our fellow brothers is to make it right.
Scripture is reveals the bitter pain that unresolved anger can have. It breeds and grows and begins to affect us and others. It begins with one person who feels offended by another. Perhaps it was just a lack of communication or a misunderstanding.
In Matthew 18 Jesus is speaking of church discipline and reconciliation. If another has done something wrong it is for you to go to him, meaning you should take the initiative to try to reconcile. If you have wronged, or if you have been wronged, go and make things right. I believe one of the reasons for this is because many times the other may not be aware that he has wronged you, or that he might have been offended by something you said or did.
Tensions between people easily breed between tensions between families, which breed tensions between friends of family members to churches. More church splits are over hurt pride than over any serious doctrinal issues. More church fights are over personality conflicts and power. More church fights are over bruised egos and over the lack of guts to say, "We need to talk over our difference rather than ignore them." But generally when you've been hurt it's hard to forgive, or seek forgiveness. It's so easy for Satan to show you reasons why you are right and the other person is wrong. Satan makes it seem like we are always the innocent party, mistreated and maligned until revenge bitterness and grudges grow. We cannot fool God with what is in our hearts.
Twice I've been in a church service when before communion could continue one fellow went to another publicly and announced to the church body his wrong attitude toward a Christian brother in the church. He wanted to be clean by confessing it to God and to the person before the church because it affected the church unity. It did wonders in their own Christian lives and also in the lives of the members. When parties seek reconciliation God is able to shower forth his blessings.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri April 29 Anger with others
Verses- Matt 5: 25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
ANGER AFFECTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY
Jesus already talked about being salt and light as witnesses for him in our world. It is a shame for Christians to have ungodly and secular judges decide for those among the faith. It certainly is grievous to the church of Christ to be squabbling and fighting and unable to resolve their own difference. But Jesus isn't just talking about a sin against a brother but even tension against an enemy, or an adversary. It seems that the context refers to a disagreement that involves civil intervention.
I understand that Jesus is saying it is better not to go to court for the sake of your anger and hatred than letting the authorities solve the problem. As you look at the Scripture it also implies that the person is taking you to court for wrongs that you have committed. The warning is that you will need to pay every penny. Do not try to get out of responsibilities. As a believer we have obligations to do what we can to bring reconciliation spiritually, emotionally, and materially, or financially.
We live, unfortunately in a situation where it is increasingly common to go to the courts, to sue one another for just about any reason. The thought is often for revenge or financial benefit. Both revenge and financial concerns are condemned by Jesus. In both the situations there is a grievance against someone that needs immediate and urgent action for reconciliation or the consequences may be much worse. Yet, is that differ from the change of culture.
What do we do when our Christian rights are being taken away? Is there a place for reconciliation in courts and lawsuits? We have had many examples in courts where Christian rights are ignored. Prayers, books, and rallies in public places have been denied. Wearing of apparel such as crosses or Christian t-shirts are denied in some schools. One Federal court agreed with a school that a teacher could not have a Bible on his desk. Should he comply without fighting that in court?
There are definite examples in the Bible of Jesus as well as apostles going to court. They did not change their witness or message. They were willing to serve God rather than man’s rules. They were willing to go and be judged on their faith, but they were willing to give up their rights even as citizens and leave matters of revenge and reconciliation up to God. They would rather suffer abuse for the cause of Christ willingly than have the message hampered in anyway. That seems to be Christ's intent. If it is matters of faith that is one thing, but do not seek to legally get out of what you owe, and certainly do not try to make anger and bitterness or reasons for going to have public officials resolve your arguments, if anything go to the church and deacons and abide by their decisions as Christian respecting the peace and love of the body of Christ.
There is a anger which leads to destruction and that can only be overcome by the cross. Will you let Christ speak to your heart? To control anger is important for our Christian witness and fellowship. Reconciliation and peace are paths that shine righteousness.
Pastor Dale
