1. Jesus Teaches on Anger Mathew 5:21-25
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ANGER
Jesus Teaches on Anger
Mathew 5:21-25
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2. Anger: Road Rage BradleyOlson.net Road Rage:
though women are angrier than men overall, men I'm more likely to do something stupid when they're angry
66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving
37% of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm
over a seven-year period, 218 murders and injuries what are result of road rage
2% of drivers admit to trying to run someone off the road
every person in this room has done something or said something in anger and regretted it
We have an anger problem. We don't know what to do with it. We stuff it. We blow up. We argue. We fight. We rationalize. We defend. We blame. We kill people and kill relationships and kill character ...beginning with our own.
The good news is Jesus has something to say about it!  Maybe we should listen.
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3. Anger Physiological Response Negative Consequences
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Anger
Physiological Response
Negative Consequences
Who are the angriest of all? … Middle Class White Men
Physiological statistics:
in a flash of a second a flash of anger causes physiological changes that negatively affect blood pressure, heart rate, digestion. Anger associated with heart attacks and cardiovascular problems.
When threatened, either real or perceived, adrenaline cortisol and testosterone flood the body, breathing becomes shallow and fast, heart pounds, preparing us for a fight.
The prolonged release of the stress hormones that accompany anger can destroy neurons in areas of the brain associated with judgment and short-term memory, and can weaken the immune system. Basically the more often and more mad you are the worse your memory, the  the more vulnerable you are to getting sick, and the more poor choices you'll make.
And who are the angriest people in the United States? Middle class white men!
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4. Matthew 5:21-22 (NLT) 21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice[f] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
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5. Truth About Anger Myth About Anger It is a sin
Feelings are not a sin… Behaviors are
Ephesians 4:26 New International Version (NIV)
26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…
Eph. 4:26
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6. Myth About Anger Truth About Anger We need to “stuff it”
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Myth About Anger
We need to “stuff it”
We need to “release it”
Truth About Anger
Feelings “come and go”… there is no box we stuff them in, or pressure valve that needs to be released
Expressing anger results in more anger
James 1:19-20
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20

7. Myth About Anger Truth About Anger My ____________ made me angry
No one makes me feel anything… I am responsible for and I control my feelings
Ephesians 4:31 New International Version (NIV)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
The source of my anger is internal
I have power- choice- control- ultimately, responsibility
If I could make you do or feel anything, it would NOT be yelling at me or throwing things!
To say that something or someone makes me angry- or made me do something stupid- is to be a victim- blaming the world or those around me-not taking responsibility for my actions
Eph. 4:31
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8. Myth About Anger Truth About Anger Anger = Strength = Man
Explosive Anger Makes Me A Fool
Proverbs 14:29 New International Version (NIV)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,     but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Proverbs 29:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 Fools give full vent to their rage,     but the wise bring calm in the end.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,     for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Anger is easy, it's a surface of emotion. Anyone can be angry- toddlers are gifted at it... what does that tell you?
Quick-tempered people are not seen as strong or masculine, they're actually seen as quite the opposite: immature- weak- fools 
I am less of a man when when I let my anger lead the way
Prov.14:29; Prov.29:11; Ecc. 7:9
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9. Myth About Anger Truth About Anger Anger means I am protecting myself
Anger reflects our self-righteousness
My anger more accurately it reflects an overgrown or overblown sense of self-importance, my anger is intended to draw attention to myself. 
It says:  I'm right- I want my way- I'm better- I'm in control- I deserve- I need- 
You wronged me, I'm going to show you how wrong you are, how to make sure you get what you deserve, I'm going to put you down put you in your place-  letting you know I am bigger- better- and stronger.
James 4:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud     but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
John 14:8-11
8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
James 4:6; John 14:8-11
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10. Myth About Anger Truth About Anger Anger is ungodly… Un-Christian
Even our anger reflects the image of God
If anger is ungodly, then why do we have instances where Jesus got angry? 
John 2:14-17 New International Version (NIV)
14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 
Numbers 12:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.
Psalm 38:1 New International Version (NIV)
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger     or discipline me in your wrath.
Jeremiah 25:37 New International Version (NIV)
37 The peaceful meadows will be laid waste     because of the fierce anger of the Lord.
John 2:14-17; Numbers 12:9; Ps. 38:1; Jer.25:37
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11. Emotions MAD SAD GLAD HURT AFRAID TENDER BradleyOlson.net
now, Before we talk about this passes let's get some of our facts right about anger.
It is just one of the emotions.  You heard me say this before, there's several lists that group emotions out there, this is one that I prefer.
There are 6 emotions. Everything else we feel can fit into one of these categories.
Emotions are indicators. Signal lights. Warning lights. They tell us something has gone on whether it's real or perceived that we are having an emotional response to.
And because we are uncomfortable with emotions like sadness fear and anger, we have done all sorts of twisted and distorted to understand, justify or explain away our feelings.
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12. Kingdom Principles on Anger
Angry Behaviors Spew From an Angry Heart (vs. 21)
My angry behaviors come from my angry heart
The Kingdom of God looks at the condition of your heart more than your behaviors
Jesus looks at more than the behaviors. Jesus connects the behaviors to the heart and the condition of the heart. Jesus says the heart matters first.  This passage tells us that my Angry behaviors come from my Angry heart.  But like we said earlier, the world tells me my anger is okay, the kingdom principle says your anger is it dangerous indicator of the condition of your heart.
Matthew 5:21-22 New International Version (NIV)
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment.
The Kingdom is concerned about the heart- So… Tend to your heart- Fix your heart, you’ll fix your anger problem.
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13. The Hidden Forces Behind Anger
Rooted in Distorted Beliefs About Myself
I’m worthless
I‘m not wanted
I deserve
I don’t deserve
I know
I’m not going to be successful
You intended to ________
I’m right
I’m better than
I need…..
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14. The Hidden Forces Behind Anger
The unconscious always “leaks”
Anger is never a primary emotion
Angry responses are a habit
My past ALWAYS influences me
We hear what we want to hear
My self-centeredness
Sometimes my Angry heart is wounded and re-living pain from my past. My past could be yesterday last month, last year, or my childhood.  If I'm going to change my Angry behaviors, I'll need to accept the reality that my heart and my behaviors have hidden forces behind them.
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15. How Anger Fuels Addictions
Pain-
Discomfort
Triggers: Old & New
Act
Out
Guilt
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16. Kingdom Principles on Anger
Anger destroys me by destroying you (vs )
My anger at you causes separation and isolation- tears you down- and smashes my character (my heart)
Matthew 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)
22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[a][b] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[c] (An Aramaic term of contempt) is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Like a teenager refuses to do their school work just get back at Mom and Dad.  I'm smashing my own foot with a hammer and I think I'm hurting you.
The reality is, I'm hurting me more than anyone else. I'm subject to judgment and in danger of hell when I lash out at you.
My anger causes separation because it pushes people away, scares them, makes them fight back, or shut down, it leaves no room to breathe in relationships.
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17. Kingdom Principles on Anger
God desires relationship repair…. With others and with Him (vs )
This is the story of the Gospel… Restoration
This is the story of the Gospel. Restoration. God is a god of healing and repair- in history, now, and until complete restoration of his kingdom.
This is the Mandate of God's people. Love God. Love one another. Love your neighbor.
People and relationships are valuable. Value people enough to fix what your anger broke.  Restore yourself to God and brother.
Matthew 5:23-26 New International Version (NIV)
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
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18. Kingdom Principles on Anger
Worldly Principles on Anger
Kingdom Principles on Anger
Make sure the world knows:
How wronged you are
How bad they are
How you “deserve”
How “right” you are
How much better you are
You’re in charge
You’re in control
Tend to your Heart
Value People & Relationships
Restore and repair relationships
Above all- Love God & Love Others
Grow in the Fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
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19. Kingdom Principles on Anger
Tend to your Heart
Value People & Relationships
Love Others
How’s the condition of your heart?
What hidden forces are fueling your anger?
How has your self-righteousness fueled your anger?
How has your anger hurt others? Hurt yourself?
What relationships need repair?
How have you blamed others for your anger?
How can you take responsibility for your anger today?
What repair work do you need to do with God today?
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