"get Rid Of That Anger!"

Title: Get Rid of that Anger! Script: Mt. 5:21ff

Type: Expos. Series. Where: GNBC 2-22-26

Intro: Have you noticed recently how incredibly angry people are today? Highways, parking lots, stores, classroom, politicians, public discourse, sporting events… “I hate you!” “I wish you were dead!” “You’re stupid!” “You’re worthless!” “I want a divorce!” “I wish we never had you!” “I wish you weren’t my parents!” Have you ever uttered any of these statements? If we’re honest, at one moment or another we have all spoken hurtful and hateful words. Yet, typically, most of us dismiss such comments by saying, “You really made me angry.” “I lost my temper.” “I didn’t really mean it.” While it is tempting to minimize our angry words, thoughts, and attitudes, the truth is there is danger in anger. Earlier this week several of you posted pictures of Wednesday’s massive grassfire. This is fitting since anger is only one letter away from danger.

Prop: In Mt. 5:21ff Jesus challenges us to reconsider our concept of anger.

BG: 1.IN the SOM Matthew introduces a theme: “Kingdom of God” to his reader.

2. Jesus doesn’t want His followers to be angry people. Not to be angry with one another. Not to avoid conflict respectfully, addressing it and reconciling.

Prop: Follow with me as we reconsider three aspects of anger.

I. Jesus States that Unresolved Anger is a Sin. Vv. 21-22

A. Are you carrying unresolved anger?

1. If you claim to be a Christian you must make the effort to resolve anger.

a. The first section of this verse is from the OT, the Decalogue, Ex. 20:13. The 10 Commandments – Thou Shall Not Commit Murder. The second section of this verse was a reference to the teaching of the rabbis – “courts” – krisis in Greek, was a term for a decision or a tribunal. (Usually has been a “crisis” if find self in court!)

b. The Pharisees and the scribes were always guilty of reducing the meaning and even the demands of the Law. Here again we see evidence of this. The Pharisees had made this a matter purely of committing murder. By adding this second injunction to the 1st, they had weakened the entire meaning of the passage.

2. Secondly, the Pharisees had reduced the confines and sanction to which the command was associated.

a. “Whoever shall kill shall be in danger of judgment by the civil court.” The Pharisees took this commandment and emptied it of so much of its meaning and importance. Essentially they read this to mean: “You may fear punishment by the court if you break the law.” i.e,: “If you murder someone, you will have to face the courts.” Illust: Sadly in past couple of weeks seen where both US and Canada experienced mass shootings. Commonplace to see judges release some animal onto the streets after 20-30-40 felonies only to kill and maim another. We are living in an age where there is no fear of God, no fear of the law, and no fear of punishment!

b. I am convinced Jesus addresses this passage specifically because He knew that the rabbis had completely missed the original intent of the law. The law said not to commit murder, however, it was saying so much more. It was saying not to commit murder because murder, like all other sin is ultimately a sin against God! All sin, be it murder or any other sin, will be judged by God. We should never separate the moral law from the Personal God Who will one day judge all sin. (Illust- The sinner King David recognized this. He had committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband. Uriah the Hittite, as well as others killed. Yet, in his prayer of confession to God in Psalm51, the penitent prince declares: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.”

B. Now, Jesus ups the ante and states that Anger towards our brother can constitute a heinous sin.

1. Anger can become sin and therefore incurs God’s judgment.

a. Illust: Let me make a couple of points clear 1st of all. This verse is not saying that anger is the same as murder. All too many well-intentioned Christians say the really silly statement today that: “All sins are the same before God.” Not true. Any one sin will send you and me to hell. True. However, being angry with someone is NOT the same as killing that person. “Just ask yourself. Would you prefer me to be angry with you or pick up a claw hammer and beat you to death?” I think we all agree the difference. This passage isn’t even saying that all anger is always sin. We know from various accounts in the Bible that Jesus was angry, even to the point of running people out of temple and overturning tables (Jn. 2:15ff). How do we understand this?