Anger

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever been really angry before?

Everyone gets angry from time to time. But what happens when we let our anger continue? When we don’t get rid of it? Bad things can happen.

In today’s lesson, I want us to look at what Jesus says about anger; but not just anger… also, murder.

Matthew 5:21–24 CSB

21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire. 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

LESSON

One of 10 Commandments God gave was “Do not murder”

People liked to say, “I haven’t murdered anyone! Therefore, I haven’t broken the law.”

Jesus, however, wanted to look further, beyond the surface, to the one thing that was behind everything: the heart.

Notice what Jesus says:

“You have heard that it was said; but I tell you...”

Jesus’ point of doing this was to go just beyond what the command said, to the heart.

You see, the command said not to murder someone. However, Jesus raised the standard, and said that someone who is angry with their brother or sister will be subject to judgement.

He also says whoever insults his brother or sister will be subject to the court

“Court” referring to the group of Jews who served as the judges and authority back then

So we see that Jesus isn’t just concerned with the command of do not murder, but also someone who is angry with others; someone who says hurtful things to others as well.

The reason why Jesus pointed this out was because: murder doesn’t just happen automatically. It begins with someone who is angry. That person then begins to say hurtful things about the person they’re angry with. Then they might even go as far as to hurt them. Which, for some people, they’ve kept their anger so long, they end up taking someone’s life, murdering them.

MAIN POINT

What does all of this tell us?

Long lasting anger can bring danger!

WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT ANGER?

So, if long lasting anger can bring about danger, what should we do? Should we stay angry and just expect it to go away? No!

Jesus says this:

23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

RECONCILE

Jesus tells us to reconcile with others.

Reconcile: To become friendly again.

In other words, to forgive each other and settle the issue between one another.

To forgive the other person.

To let go of the anger.

CLOSING

Anger never leads to anything good.

Everyone gets angry. The question is: what will we do with our anger?

GOSPEL

Being angry can lead to sin. If we continue being angry and start thinking mean and hurtful thoughts to others, or maybe even actually say hurtful things or do hurtful things to them, that is when we have sinned against God.

But, the good news is that: Jesus died for sinners. He died for all those who would believe in Him. He paid the price for our sins of anger. He dealt with it once and for all.

That is why we should trust in Jesus! He has paid the price for our sins and offers us lasting forgiveness. If we trust in Him, we will spend eternity with Him.