Remodeling the Home (2/2)

Proverbs 15:13–22 (AV)

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Introduction

We learned this summer that having a kitchen is a nice feature in a home.

A kitchen isn’t the only thing that makes a home enjoyable.

Review

1.Good Countenance made possible by merry hearts

2. Godly Contentment that protects us from great sorrow

3. Guided control from anger by God’s wisdom

Guided control from anger by God’s wisdom

Proverbs 15:18 (AV)

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

We do not use the word strife. We have replaced it and many words with the word “stress”

Anger is a judging emotion. It is a deeply felt response to wrong.

Anger is love in motion to deal with a threat to someone or something we truly care about. And in many ways, it can be right.

The question isn’t who gets angry, but why we all get angry

We need to analyze our anger

God gets angry

Nahum 1:2 (AV)

2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Jesus got angry

Mark 3:5 (AV)

5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

What am I loving so much right now that my heart is moved to feel angry?

Unlike God, when we get angry, we can corrupt it.

We need to feel a sorrow for sin not an excitement for a chance to respond

Wrath is not a friend to our home

James 1:20 (AV)

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Most have seen people who seem to use anger as a super strength

It might get your kids to clean their room but it will also make them want to leave from it as soon as possible

What would Christian anger look like?

Ephesians 4:26–27 (AV)

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.

Anger without sin / Christian anger doesn’t create victims. It gathers allies, for God’s glory.

Anger without a grudge / ready to restore peace

Anger that knows the devils strategies and avoids them

Move slow when becoming angry

Proverbs 14:17 (AV)

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 29:20 (AV)

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive III. Alleviate Anger

I heard of a man pushing a baby carriage, and he said, “Easy, Harold. Easy, Harold. That’s a boy, Harold. You’re doing fine, Harold.” And somebody said, “It’s just so wonderful the way you’re so patient with little Harold.” “Oh, no, he’s Albert; I’m Harold.” “Easy, Harold.” Learn to control that speech.

Stress in the home is just simply a sign that you have forsaken the wisdom of God.

Not angry just irritated

Some of you thought you were going to get off the hook. Here are some lessons learned from Scotty Smith

Being a broken person in a broken world among broken people, being irritated is inevitable.

What isn’t inevitable is a godly response.

Proverbs 12:16 (KJV 1900)

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: But a prudent man covereth shame.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV 1900)

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Anger lodges in the heart of fools

Recognize Your Weapons Against Irritation

Writing to believers in Corinth, the apostle Paul described this dynamic in the language of warfare:

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (AV)

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We should help one another fight for joy by helping them think Biblically.

2 Corinthians 1:24 (AV)

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Many things showed me Jonathan had a heart for people. But when he looked me in the eyes and helped me think Biblically I was overwhelmed with joy that the people of Toluca had a person who would help them find and fight for joy.

Listen to how Paul speaks in 2 Corinthians 2:4-5

2 Corinthians 2:4–5 (AV)

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

Irritation has some ugly siblings; aggravation, grumpiness, self-pity, resentment, and more.

Name the Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV 1900)

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

I wish bad attitudes were only episodic “oops” moments or “loose-holds,” rather than strongholds.

But the truth is that bad attitudes often reveal that something or someone has more power over our hearts than the glory and grace of God. Some expression of the stronghold of self-idolatry is on display.

What has caused you to love your joy?

Galatians 4:15 (AV)

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Lost car keys

Resetting passwords every few days

Information your kids withheld from you

Stepping on a lego

When the feelings of irritation arise name them? They seem less significant when named and compared to the name of Jesus.

Cast down imaginations

2 Corinthians 10:5 (AV)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Certain thoughts need to be exposed and destroyed, not ignored or coddled.

In context, Paul was talking about false teachers who infiltrated the church of Corinth. But all thinking that contradicts the gospel falls under the same judgment.

I’ve earned the right to an uninterrupted, manageable, and hassle-free life;If people would just do their jobs, and be responsible, my life would be easier;

If the kids would just pick up their toys my yard would look great.

If my wife only knew the day I had.

What might your list of vain imaginations you need to cast down.

This is the area where bitterness likes to grow and live.

When you haven’t recognized the specifics of your anger.

You just let a feeling stay there.

Grin along gang get gung ho about Jesus. Smile sweet salley so send Satan sadly away. Buckle up Bro Bill

Bring thoughts into captivity

2 Corinthians 10:5 (AV)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

How should it be captured?

To the obedience of Christ!

We will “forget to be irritated” to the extent we are remembering Jesus.

Our primary calling is to “remember” Jesus — to re-member, to reconnect and stay connected with Jesus. We who are in union with Jesus must stay in communion with him.

Our ultimate goal is not being less irritated, but more like Jesus.

It isn’t the promise to do better, but the commitment to repent quicker. The more we are remembering Jesus, our repentances won’t be fewer, but quicker, and more joyful.

What do you need to remember about Jesus when you are tempted to irritation? Once again, it helps to name those truths.

Family Event

Now in order for the family to have wisdom, the family has to come together in a family council.

Proverbs 15:22 (AV)

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Proverbs 16:22 (AV)

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.