Anger, a Gift from God
Ephesians 4:26
November 9, 2003
INTRODUCTION
We are born angry, children do not have to learn it.
Anger is an attribute of God:
Exodus 22:24 "And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless."
I ANGER AND SIN
Anger is not in and of itself sinful:
Ephesians 4:26 " Be ye angry, and sin not : let not the sun go down upon your wrath"
Ia There is a wrong kind of anger:
Matthew 5:21-22 "Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."
Ib There is a right kind of anger:
John 2:13-17 "And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."
Since Jesus got angry there must be a time when it is proper to do so.
James 1:19-20 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
Slow to become angry does not mean never become angry
II DEALING WITH OUR ANGER
Ephesians 4:26 "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath "
Dealing with anger - Resolve or Forgive
IIa Resolve the problem:
Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
Try to do it privately at first. If they are wrong they will not be so embarrassed and it will be easier for them to admit it. If you are wrong you will not be so embarrassed and it will be easier for you to admit it. If the two of you can not resolve it and it is an important issue get other involved.
Matthew 18:15-17 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. "
IIb Forgive the Offense.
Mathew 18:21-35 "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
It is a command. Forgiveness is not optional.
External is not enough. It must be "from your hearts."
Hebrews 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more."
God forgives completely. We should follow his example.
Use your anger
Anger is energy - jog, clean, cut the grass, lift weights, clean the house, wash the car, rake leaves, paint the house, clean the gutters, join the wrestling, soccer, basketball, tennis or whatever team
CONCLUSION
Ephesians 4:26 "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath"
Review main points.
Berean List
(Acts 17:11)
Exodus 22:24
Psalm 37:8
Proverbs 16:32
Proverbs 29:22
Isaiah 43:25
Jeremiah 31:34
Matthew 5:21-24
Matthew 18:15-35
John 2:13-17
Ephesians 4:26
Ephesians 4:32
Hebrews 8:12
Hebrews 10:17
James 1:19-20 |