Note: I used notes from Online Bible Themes and verse studies from Preacher’s Sermon and Outline Bible. This was written in 1997 so many years ago. Thought it would be great to share.
Title: Murder and Anger
Theme: To show the importance of having the right kind of anger
Text: Matthew 5:21-26
Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 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. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Two types of anger: justifiable and unjustifiable
I. Justifible anger, Gods anger
1. anger at wickedness, idoltry Ps 7:11
Wickedness is an evilness that is committed. It is a blatant disregard for sin. God is angry at this. He does not like sin but I believe he is more angry at blatant sin. This is when people get into idoltry. Sometimes maybe even witch craft. But God is angry at this. And so should we. I myself get angry at wickness. Those who are blatant in their sin. We should stand against wickness and stand for Christianity.
2. anger against forsakers, Is 1:4
God is angry with forsakers. These are people who knew God. These are here referring to the people such as the Israelites who have many times turned their back on God and went to other idols.
The strangest part is that they know the gospel. They are not people who have never heard the word and never accepted but they know what is right.
God is still angry today with those who have forsaken his word. People who at one time lived the Christian but has turned away from him.
Why is he provoked to anger?
1. It puts a bad image on Christianity
2. God does not want anyone go to hell but he wants all to be in heaven. God’s will is for all to be saved.
So God is angry at the forsakers.
3. anger against unbelief, Ps 78:21, 22
God is angry against unbelief. Let us go back to verse 12 and begin reading.
God is angry because all the wonders and miracles that he did for the Israelites and they still did not believe. What is it going to take? God wrought miracle after miracle after miracle but still they murmured against God. In the book of Numbers we see this 8 times. Sometimes one after another. It would seem that God would hardly be finished with a miracle then they would murmer. I believe this is why Moses got so mad and struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God had commanded we see this in Numbers 20.
There are people in society today that I don’t know what it is going to take to win them to Christ. God works miracles in their lives it seems every day but they still will not believe. I believe God is angry with these people. I believe that God is going to be harder on these people in judgment. They had so many chances but still they would not accept
We need more of this justifiable anger
II. Unjustifiable anger
1. as a result of pride, Proverbs 21:24
This a type of anger that comes from pride when a person thinks that they are better than the other person. We must be careful of this anger. This is an presumptions anger. You are presuming that you are better than others. God warns against us. As we know pride comes before fall. We must be careful of this in dealing with certain people of society. These maybe the handicap or those who don’t seem to be as fortunate as us. We sometimes think that we are better because of who we are and we get impatient with them in our dealings. This turns to anger.
James in his book warns us about playing favorites with the rich and the poor. We must not get to proud.
2. anger as a result of incruelty, Gen 49:7
This is an anger that results in cruelty. As I have said many of times anger is not always the sin but it is the result of anger that is the sin. What becomes of anger. If it produces cruel treatment upon others then it is a sin. This is an anger that is hard hearted. It puts undue burdoned on others. In the New Testament we are taught to love and to turn the other cheek but when we seek to find cruel treatment because of our anger then we are in sin and the anger is wrong.
3. malice and blasphemy, Col 3:8
When anger is coupled with these then it is wrong. When anger makes you blasphem or curse God then it is wroung. When it makes you seek for wrath then it is wrong. When it causes you to have malice or wicked thoughts and ideas against another person then it is wrong. This makes anger wrong.
We need less of this anger.
Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill;
and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause
this is the most important part. It is not just anger but anger with no cause.
shall be in danger of the judgment: local courts and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, (contempt, "I spit on you") shall be in danger of the council: Sanhedrin but whosoever shall say, Thou fool (moron, heading straight for the fire of destruction), shall be in danger of hell fire. (God’s judgment, associated with gehenna the Valley of Hinnom as smoldering garbage dump in the time of Jesus)
notice the ascension 1) local courts, 2) Sanhedrian court (religious) 3) God’s court
III. Christians to do with anger
1. Be slow to anger, Prov 14:17
Be slow to anger always think out the situtaion before you get angry about it sometimes you will find that there is no reason to get angry.
2. Not to sin in anger, Eph 4:29
When you are anger don’t sin in it. Pay attention to what you say. Don’t slip up, if there is such thing as a slip up.
3. To put away anger, Eph 4:31
If you have a pratice of avoiding anger and don’t be quick to it then you would not have a problem
Read Eph 4:26
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your
wrath:
So how do we overcome this anger in our lives. First and formost have patience. Take time out of your excitement and think about the situation. Second take time and pray to God. Ask God what he would have you to do. Third I believe the best way to solve any situation is by being kind and nice. It usually changes the whole atomsphere.
What to do?
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
1) Before offering sacrifices on the altar first get straight with the brother
Mt 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25 AV)
This way the sacrifices offered with not be offered null and void
This is what Malachi was talking about when talking about the sacrifices of the Israelites. They were no good because their heart was not right. The whole idea in our relationship with God is an internal and not an external relationship.
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:15 AV)
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
2) agree quickly. Sometimes even if you are right. Make sure the cause that you fight for is worth fighting for.
If you owe money how can you pay for it while you are in jail.
Illustration
Sinbad the Sailor, tells of being once on an island, half-famished with huger, while overhead hung delicious coca-nuts, quite out of reach. In the branches were many chattering monkeys. So the sailors threw sticks and stones at them until they grew very angry. In return they pelted their enemies wiht cocoa-nuts with the greatest fury. The sailors kept up the war, in hight spirits, unitil thier wants were well supplied. By yeilding to anger we always give the enemy the advantage and expose our own weaknesses.
