Sermon on The Mount part 5 “Jesus & Anger” Matt 5:21-26

INTRO> We continue on the journey through the sermon on the mount today as we look as Jesus’ outlandish words about anger and murder.

CONTEXT> We saw last week Jesus’ view of the bible and how he isn’t taking away the law and the prophets but rather bringing the correct meaning and interpretation to it. Today, we are introduced to what is called “The Six Antitheses Statements” What Jesus is doing is not challenging Mosses and God’s law but rather giving the correct interpretation of it, Jesus isn’t attacking scripture but tradition. “Because the scribes and Pharisees found the law burdensome, they tried to reduce it’s challenge by making it’s demands less demanding and it permissions more permissive, In this way they made the law more manageable.” – John Stott  What Jesus does today is give us the proper explanation of the 6th commandment. MURDER.

APP> Jesus makes the outlandish statement that if you are angry with somone you have committed murder already?! ANGER = MURDER. So how do we murder?

1. We murder when…

1. We are angry. “ who is angry with his brother” The word that Jesus is using her for anger here means “a boiling and deep content for somone, a hatred” The Hebrew idea of this was that it came from the guy. But Jesus gives us a deeper understanding about this “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Matthew 15:19 APP> The idea is that the physical act of murder is only the outward act of an inward disposition of the heart. APP> What’s difficult about this understanding is that Anger actually finds it’s source in God, God get’s angry. “Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Ephesians 4:26
2. We are prideful. “whoever insults his brother” that word insult is that word “rhaca” which means basically a nobody somone who is worthless. APP> What Jesus is saying here is that you become indifferent and harsh now. APP> Anger says, “You Owe me.” Pride says, “I Owe None.”
3. We are loveless. “whoever says you fool!” The word fool here is “moros” where we get moron from. The level on intensity here is deep.

APP> “What Jesus is saying here is, “Here is the power of the tongue.” TO murder means also to murder somebody’s reputation. But even more so, this is something you say to someone, right? So to murder someone also means to murder their confidence in themselves. Because when you call somebody a moron, the only reason you’re doing it is because you hope they’ll believe you.” -Tim Keller

APP> The issue here is how do you view people, do people have worth to you? “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” Genesis 9:6 APP> The essence of murder is seeing human life as worthless.

2) How to murder murder.

1. Don’t settle for unsettled conflict. “so if you are offering your gift” What Jesus is talking about here is the temple worship. There was only 1 alter. He is saying that if you are in the middle of worship and remember a conflict that you have, leave worship! Then come back. How can you lift your hand in worships when your heart is filled with hate?
2. Repent of your sin. “leave your gift and go” What Jesus is saying here is, he doesn’t care what it takes. People would have traveled for days to get there… so what, make it happen. True repentance always results in change! “As much as depends on you, live peacefully with all.” Romans 12:18
3. Reconcile quickly. “come to terms quickly” Jesus is saying that this needs to be first priority… this needs to happen as fast as you can. APP> Reconciliation doesn’t mean things will be the same again but it means that the debt is settled.

APP> The reality of the kingdom of God is seen in reconciled relationships.

Close> I want to close with this, You know this man right? Timothy McVeigh (Pic) On April 19th, 1995 he parked his van filled with explosives in the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. He killed 168 people and injured 600, it’s the greatest act of terrioism since 9/11. On June 11th, 2001 he was executed, on day of his execution he read before he died the poem entitled “Invictus” by William Henry Ernest.

“Out of the night that covers me, 

      Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 

      For my unconquerable soul. 

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

      I have not winced nor cried aloud. 

Under the bludgeonings of chance 

      My head is bloody, but unbowed. 

Beyond this place of wrath and tears 

      Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years 

      Finds and shall find me unafraid. 

It matters not how strait the gate, 

      How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate, 

      I am the captain of my soul.”

APP> You know what i realized this week…. I am no different than him according to Jesus’ words, i stand condemned and desperately need a Savior.

Big Idea > The anger concealed in our hearts reveals our desperate need for a savior.

Anger Questions:

• • Why am I so angry?
  • Why am I fearful to let my anger go?
  • Have I ever confessed my anger to God and my fellow brother or sister in Christ?