Introduction:
In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine.
The Orioles’ John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in the brawl. The warfare quickly spread to the grandstands. Among the fans the conflict went from bad to worse. Someone set fire to the stands and the entire ballpark burned to the ground. Not only that, but the fire spread to 107 other Boston buildings as well.
Our Daily Bread, August 13, 1992
Transition:
What started out as a game of baseball, where two players engaged in a brawl, soon erupted into a full-scale attack on the safety of those in attendance as well as the surrounding neighborhood. Uncontrolled anger is dangerous and can be devastating. It is devastating for the individual themselves as well as those in close proximity.
In our text today, we see what would have ordinarily been a time of victory and celebration for the nation of Israel as David returned from defeating the Philistine... quickly sparked anger and jealousy in the heart of King Saul as all attention once focused on him is now focused on David.
Well, what was true of King Saul is also true for many today. We live in an age of anger. Most people walk around today and do not even realize that they are angry, and if they do, then they cannot tell you why.
Today I want to help you understand why people get angry.
I. Causes of Anger:
A. They feel threatened.
B. They can’t have their own way.
C. They fear loss or have lost something
D. They feel rejection.
E. They can‘t get out of the past.
II. Characteristics of Anger:
A. Rage
1. They have uncontrolled or explosive anger.
2. They have harbored anger for some time..
3. They declare war against others…take no prisoners.
B. Resentment
1. They suppress their anger… “I’m not mad”
2. They exhibit passive aggression.
C. Indignation
1. They direct their anger toward their circumstances.
2. They try to do something to right a wrong.
III. Consequences of Anger:
A. Anger isolates us from others.
B. Anger produces ungodliness and evil motives in us.
C. Anger blinds us to what is really good and right. Saul’s jealous anger blinded him to the fact that God had already chosen David to be the next king because of his godly character.
D. Anger in its strongest form can lead to murder.
E. Anger leads to conflict and arguments.
IV. Conditions of Anger:
A. Family
1. They feel misunderstood.
2. They feel ignored.
3. They feel unloved.
4. They feel criticized.
B. Church
1. They feel unnoticed.
2. They feel overlooked.
3. They feel unappreciated.
4. They feel criticized.
C. Workplace
1. They feel slighted.
2. They feel overworked.
3. They feel harassed.
4. They feel criticized.
D. Friends
1. They feel left out.
2. They feel disappointed.
3. They feel criticized.
E. Society
1. They feel singled out for unfairness.
2. They feel over-taxed.
3. They feel criticized.
V. Controlling Anger
A. Learn to recognize when you’re angry.
B. Claim your anger.
C. Determine why you’re angry.
D. Find ways to express your anger.
E. Forgive those who have wronged you.
Conclusion:
A lady once came to Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. "There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper," she said. "I blow up, and then it’s all over."
"So does a shotgun," Sunday replied, "and look at the damage it leaves behind!"
Billy Sunday.
