The Angry Side Of Jesus Lesson 3 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Two sides to the Lord Jesus.

a. Most think Jesus is only love and compassion. “He (Jesus) was moved with compassion” (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 18:27; Mark 1:44). Most healings begin with compassion. “Having loved his own” (John 13:1). “Jesus beholding him, loved him” (Mark 10:27).

b. But Jesus could be angry. “He (Jesus) had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts” (Mark 3:5).

2. Every action has a reaction. A sacrificial loving mother will also punish disobedience.

3. This generation has lost the concept of consequence and punishment.

a. Let murderers go free.

b. I am O.K., you are O.K.

c. The Spock Generation, never spank.

d. Wrong view of forgiveness.

4. Forgiveness is based on restitution and/or repentance. “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matt. 3:8). “Sorrowed to repentance . . . sorrow worketh repentance to salvation” (II Cor. 7:9-10, KJV).

5. Without consequence and punishment, no guilt. “An accusatory sense of failure.”

B. DID JESUS GET ANGRY?

1. Yes, after people finally reject salvation. “The wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16).

2. Was Jesus’ first act in Jerusalem motivated by anger? “When he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple” (John 2:15).

3. Does the word “all” include people?

a. Probably not.

b. Jesus’ anger made them run.

4. Two reasons. Why did Jesus cleanse the temple?

a. Positive, the Old Testament prophecy. “My devotion to your house, God, burns in me like a fire” (John 2:17, TEV).

b. Negative, to get rid of hypocrisy. “My house is the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Luke 19:46).

5. Prediction. The judgment side of Jesus. Jesus said, “The Father . . . hath committed all judgment into my hands” (John 5:22). “The Father . . . hath given him authority to execute judgment” (John 5:26-27).

6. The judgment seat of Christ. This is for believers to receive rewards. “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged and have our lives laid bare before Him. Each of us will receive what he deserves” (II Cor. 5:10, LB).

7. Jesus will destroy at the Second Coming. “And I saw heaven opened . . . and he (Jesus) that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war” (Rev. 19:11). “He should smite the nations” (Rev. 19:15).

8. Jesus will judge at the Great White Throne. “The kingship of the world now belongs to our Lord and Christ . . . the nations were full of fury, but now thy wrath has come and with it the time for the dead to be judged” (Rev. 11:15, 18).

C. OUR RESPONSE TO AN ANGRY JESUS

1. Jesus loves all and wants all to be saved. “Not willing that any should perish” (II Peter 3:9).

2. Jesus will forgive. “The Son hath power on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:6).

3. Take advantage of His love. “Come unto me all . . .” (Matt. 11:28).

4. There is a time-limit to His patience. “The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night” (I Thess. 5:2).

5. Now is God’s favorite time. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation” (Heb. 2:3).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

To email Dr. Towns - eltowns@liberty.edu.