Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Looking at the sin of anger
- Jesus was correcting the Pharisees about the sin of murder
- Not just the physical act – as the Pharisees thought
- Jesus says the sin of murder is the sin of anger and the sin of anger the sin of murder
- This makes us murderers in the sight of God – as we have all been angry
- Example of David
- We are to be angry at sin
- But our anger must be proportional and not misplaced
- We should be angry at our sin
- Example of David and Nathan, Judah
- Be slow to anger, quick to listen and understand
- The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God
- Example of James and John
- Is our anger righteous?
- Reading Matt 5:21-26
- The Problem: the sin of anger
- The Remedy: Peace Makers
- Overview:
- The Problem
- The Answer
- The Warning that Jesus Christ gives
The Problem (v21-22)
- The Pharisees ‘externalised’ the laws of God – examples
- Jesus begins to expand the truth on the Sermon on the Mount
- Jesus is like a prophet unto Moses, Matt 2:13-15, Matt 3:11,16; Matt 4:1,8
- ‘You have heard of old, but I say to you’
- Jesus comes with the authority of Moses and the other prophets
- Not just an interpretation but the full authority of God
- ‘No one speaks like this man’
- Not the act itself but the intent of the heart
- Not loving enough
- Jesus looks not at the outer but the inner person
- Jesus amplifies the law and gives its true meaning
- Not the judgment of man but the judgment of God
- We must not make excuses
- We must not be angry without a righteous cause
- Raca – ’empty head’
- To break the sixth commandment
- Fool – leads to the English word ‘moron’
- Jesus used this word – but not in a malicious way but in a judicious way
- He sees into peoples hearts
- John the Baptist – a prophet of God, speaking truth, nothing malicious in what he said
- We must watch ourselves
- We must not follow society in using derogatory language
- This simply shows the truth of the human heart
- Examples of anger
- There is forgiveness for sin
- Jesus understands the temptation of anger
- Jesus commands us to take sin seriously
- When wounded – do not become bitter
- Eph 4:31-32
- The problem is the heart of man
- The root cause of murder, killing, wars – is anger
- Only God can deal with the heart
The Answer (v23-26)
- Positive teaching on being a peace maker
- Forgiveness of sin does not remove the responsbility of putting things right
- Come to church with good intentions – but if you remember something against your brother
- Go to them
- Reconcile with them
- Do not leave it
- Be the peace maker
- Make every effort – even if they do not receive it
- Love is the answer to hate
- Reconcile first to your brother, then come to God
- Otherwise your acts of worship will not be beneficial
- Pay your debts
- Put things right quickly – as soon as you can
- Be serious about your sin – do not leave it
- Be a peace maker, seek reconciliation, pay an debts, seek forgiveness
The Warning
- Some people say the judgment of the people, the Sanhedrin council, hell fire
- Not about graded sins and graded judgment
- Different warnings about sin
- Jesus is concerned about sin
- Come to Jesus
- Respond to His word
- Be forgiven in His blood
- It is all of grace
- Pray about the situation