Freedom From Anger

INTRO

John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they (you + me) may have life and have it abundantly.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? — We’re either going to believe it or not… Choice is ours!

WE WANT TO DEAL WITH AN ISSUE THAT STOPS US FROM HAVING LIFE AND FROM HAVING AN ABUNDANT LIFE...

THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE ALL DEALT WITH AND HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT IT MAKES IN OUR FAMILIES IN OUR FRIENDSHIPS… AND IN HOW WE VIEW LIFE.

Ephesians 4:31 (NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

ILLUSTRATION

HOUSE GETTING CLUTTERED…

Busy week… Clutter builds… Things we should’ve just gotten rid of still stored…

HOW OFTEN DO WE DEAL WITH OUR ANGER THE SAME WAY?

Anger settles in… Instead of addressing it…

WE PRETEND THAT IT’S NOT EVEN THERE! — (BUT THEN…PRESSURE COOKER!)

THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO HANDLE — EPHESIANS GIVES US A PLAN TO DISARM & REMOVE ANGER.

POWER IN THE TEXT

Ephesians 4:26–28 (ESV) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor…

1. ADMIT THERE IS ANGER.

Bible says we will have times of anger… (v.26)“Be angry…”

ANGER is a real thing… Part of a broken world.

We can’t let ANGER goes unchecked…

Unchecked Anger — Anger Ignored is like having mold that is untreated in your home.

That mold will continue to grow and grow until it destroys the whole home.

SO WE NEED TO BE HONEST AND ADMIT THERE IS ANGER.

2. BE AWARE OF OUR ACTIONS.

(v.26)“Be angry and do not sin…”

GOD CARES HOW WE HANDLE OUR ANGER.

Let’s refuse to measure our response by anything other than God’s word.

‌When we allow anger to go unchecked in our lives… IT INTENSIFIES AND SOON ENOUGH WHEN THE PRESSURE REACHES IT’S MAX — THE ANGER WILL BE VENTED. Oftentimes… in an unhealthy way. Destroying many things along the way...

NLT READS THIS WAY…

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT) 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

ALLOWING ANGER TO GO UNCHECKED GIVES THE ENEMY A FOOTHOLD TO DO WHAT HE’S OUT TO DO…

TO KILL your joy…

TO STEAL your peace…

TO DESTROY your relationships and ultimately the abundant life God has come to give you…

>> LET ME BE CLEAR, I’M NOT SAYING ALL ANGER IS EVIL…

• WE CAN FIND OURSELVES GRIEVING THE THINGS THAT GRIEVE THE VERY HEART OF GOD… THINGS LIKE SIN… WICKEDNESS… EVIL IN THIS WORLD…

• BUT I AM SAYING, EVEN RIGHTEOUS ANGER CAN TURN SOUR. Righteous Anger unchecked can turn into ungodly wrath… and ultimately turning Righteous Anger into Evil Anger.

THE LONGER ANGER SITS… THE MORE IT GROWS INTO BITTERNESS…

CLOSING

MAYBE YOU’RE HERE TODAY AND YOUR ANGER HAS TURNED INTO BITTERNESS…

YOU’VE LOST HOPE… In Your Relationships… In Life As A Whole…

YOU’RE ANGRY WITH YOURSELF… You’re living day after day condemning yourself…

IF YOU HAVE FELT THIS WAY, OUR PRAYER TODAY IS THAT YOUR HOPE IS RESTORED TODAY!

I want God’s word from the Prophet Isaiah wash over you & restore your hope today:

Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2  to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3  to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to bestow them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

I SPEAK FREEDOM OVER YOU TODAY!

Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly, let’s step into all that He has for us today!

[INVITE TO STAND — INVITE PRAYER PARTNERS]

Prayer of Repentance:

Jesus, we repent for every place we’ve given in to the spirit of anger.

We repent for closing ourselves off from others.

We repent for giving in to Hopelessness, discouragement, and despair and for not trusting Your Word.

We repent for believing the lies of the enemy.

Immerse us now in Your love and acceptance.

Give us hope for the future and a the courage to step into the abundant life you have for us.

You are an awesome God! In Jesus name, AMEN.

[OPEN UP ALTAR]

DECLARATION I have the mind of Christ. My mind is renewed to the ways of Christ. I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. I put away all bitterness, wrath, and anger. I have the peace of God. I am quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. I rid myself of all anger, rage, malice, and obscene language. I am wise and under control. I use words of restraint. I am even-tempered. I am filled with the fruits of the Spirit. I am a peacemaker because I am a child of God. I trade every burden for peace like a river. I have the mind of Christ. I AM COMPLETE, AND LACKING NOTHING I AM ALIVE! I take off the grave clothes and come forth! IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!