Simmering Rage

Dakota Community Church

July 8, 2007

Simmering Rage

This is a message to go with the NOOMA DVD #16: Store.

Begin by showing the 14 min. DVD. Available to purchase here:

http://www.nooma.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=322

Excellent and thought provoking DVD! There are three questions that jump to mind in response to this video, I think we all need to ask them of ourselves.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

1. Are you an angry person?

The simple truth is that we are all masters of deception – especially self-deception!

Anger is a simple emotional response that indicates our will is being blocked.

It is not necessarily a sin but it is something we need to be careful about:

Ephesians 4:26-27

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Jesus was angry at times.

Mark 3:4-6

Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

John 2:14-16

In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!"

What is the difference between anger that leads to sin and anger that sins not?

The anger that leads to sin is selfish and self-serving.

Jesus was angry about higher purpose issues. We should all be angry enough to take action whenever and wherever we encounter injustice and abuse.

Which brings us to the next question:

2. What typically gets you angry?

As you think about the times when you are simmering with rage, what is it usually about?

Maybe a better question would be is it ever about anything other than your own will being blocked?

On facebook this week an old friend from the youth group was marveling at the boys who are now men, she said; “I can’t believe how old they are, it makes feel old. It seems like yesterday when Caleb was being disciplined for misbehavior and he ran into his room and said to you in that raspy little voice, No, No, you go away in Jesus name!”

(He was trained in taking authority over the enemy even as a toddler and clearly he associated my anger with the devil.)

Another time on our family vacation in Toronto I came out to the van and Silas (then about 5-6 years old is in the drivers seat, he leans out the window and says, “I’m the driver now, and then he scowls up his little face and shouts: Come on, Come on”

Kathy giggled under her breathe for the next 50 kilometers.

Anger over personal inconvenience – hardly big issue centered. The kids are learning it though.

Proverbs 22:24-25

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man; do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

3. What bigger issues can you/we tackle?

I really believe that Rob hits the nail on the head when he says people who are involved in larger issues do not get as easily whipped into a rage over traffic incidents. Their focus is elsewhere.

We have been in survival mode for a long time in this little community, and that has begun to change. Remember the word I received from the Lord when we moved into this building.

Isaiah 37:30-31

"This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that.

But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.

The third year starts this fall, we need to start sowing. There are a number of things I feel we should be involved in.

Compassion

24 hour food and help line.

Teen Challenge and Habitat

We have spent the last few weeks learning about the love and sacrifice involved in the kingdom of God. We need to respond to the word with action not just mental ascent!