“Anger & Disputes, Revenge & Enemies”

HOPE CHAPEL - Sunday, May 15, 2022

Youtube link... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otC0sbCILAo
 
Teaching Series - “Doing Life with Jesus" 
Weekly Topic - “Anger & Disputes, Revenge & Enemies” 
Texts – Matthew 5:21-26; 5:38-48
 
  Is Jesus your Saviour?  Is he your Teacher?  Is he your Master?  How about your God?  If you, like me, answer ‘yes’ to all the above, we may have a little trouble with today’s study.  If he’s all of those things, we need to do as he says!  But be warned, if you thought Jesus’ teaching on the Beatitudes was challenging, his instructions concerning anger, disputes, revenge and enemies is likely to strike a little too close for comfort for many of us.  Jesus provides us with some very blunt directions, not only for how we are to behave but also concerning our ‘emotional’ responses to others.

I have a question I want us to think about to begin.  What ‘good’ have you seen produced as a direct result of anger—either expressed by yourself or by another to which you have been a witness to?  Getting angry is a pretty common experience for each one of us, but it does not often produce positive results.
 
The Bible warns us that, “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires” (James 1:20).  As a result of being firsthand witnesses to the destructive power of anger, some have deemed all expressions of anger as wrong and the emotion as never appropriate.  But let me remind you…even Jesus got angry; and because he never sinned, we can know that it is possible to be ‘righteously’ angry.  So, there are at least two types of anger—righteous and human.   However, even though Jesus did in fact get angry—he chased the money changers out of the Temple with a corded whip and he became angry outside the tomb of Lazarus and became indignant with the disciples for preventing the children to be brought to him, to name a few instances—too many Christians use the fact that Jesus got angry to legitimize their own anger that is often little more than indignation over being personally wronged.  Our pride gets hurt and we retaliate.  That is not righteous anger!  You may find it interesting to note, not once does a slight to himself personally cause Jesus to respond in anger.  The two reasons for his anger were when people were prevented from reaching God because of others’ interference (Temple, the children) and at the pain that sin caused God’s perfect creation (at Lazarus’ tomb).
 
So, before we dive into Jesus’ teaching on this subject as recorded by Matthew, I want each one of us to think about our past week:
·         Did you experience anger this week?  And if so, what was the cause? 
·         Is there anyone you are currently experiencing an unresolved dispute with? 
·         We all know that ‘revenge is mine…saith the Lord’ and we are not to take matters into our own hands, but is there anyone you just really wish would experience God’s hand of discipline?  Someone you want to experience your revenge through God’s actions?
·         We can’t make anyone like us and we might have trouble identifying those we consider ‘enemies,’ but how many people, especially in God’s family, would you not even consider giving the time of day? 
·         Have you caused offense to another this week?
·         How have you responded when someone has treated you unfairly?  Jumped the line at the grocery store?  Cut you off in traffic?  Not fulfilled an obligation?  Been ungrateful for your efforts?  Abandoned you when you needed them?  Not done their share of the work?  Dismissed your concerns or advice?  Taken you for granted?  Maligned your name & reputation?
 
Can we all just admit from the outset that none of us is innocent?  We each have room to change and Jesus’ expectations, like needed surgery, are likely to sting a little bit!  But the worst thing we can do is simply set Jesus’ teaching aside as just too difficult and give ourselves the often-used excuse, “I’m only human!”  He knows that, which is why he had given us the Holy Spirit to help us.  He doesn’t want us to become bogged down with a whole new set of rules that we try to keep to earn our salvation.  His desire is that we demonstrate our new citizenship as God’s children and show others the ways of a loving God.
 
 ANGER—CHECK IT!
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.”
 
Murder is punishable…of course.  But, anger?  Jesus tells us that both murder and anger ‘result in judgment.’  He is quite literally telling us that from his perspective, they’re the same.  How can our human anger work to ‘kill’ another?  We kill another by devaluing them, negating their worth, their opinions, their choices, by elevating our own worth over theirs.  The reality is that people make poor choices…all the time.  But which of us can truthfully claim to be without sin with regard to poor choice-making…so as to rightfully be able to pick up stones in order to punish someone else?
 
Jesus then reminds his audience that slanderous talk about another can land you in court before a human judge, but cursing someone lands you in God’s courtroom for judgement.  A dangerous place to be for anyone who has chosen to refuse to extend grace to another but is counting on God’s grace for themselves. 
 
So, is hatred of others an unpardonable sin?  What else could Jesus’ warning that we will be in ‘danger of hell’ mean?  He is serious about his command that we are to love God and love others. 
 
Hating someone may not be an unpardonable sin, but it will set us on a trajectory in our relationship with God and others that may lead us to walk away from God’s grace if left unchecked.  Thereby, putting us in danger of the very fires of hell, we have cursed someone else to.
 
Today, is there someone you ‘hate’ or are angry with?  We are not to take these instructions under mere advisement.  They appear to be desperately important in light of Jesus’ warning.  What will you begin to do this week to reverse this attitude?
 
As if that wasn’t a big enough bomb shell, Jesus continues…
  
DISPUTES—RESOLVE THEM!
Matthew 5:23-26, NLT
“23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice 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.” 
 
If someone has a legitimate beef with us, we should not pretend as though nothing’s wrong or that all that is necessary is for us to make amends by seeking God’s forgiveness.  He wants more than just our confession.  He requires that we work toward reconciliation which often involves making necessary restitution and working towards fixing the messes we create.  Until we do, we should not expect to receive anything from God.  Jesus wants hearts that are pure, that desire to do good; pretense will never cut it.  In fact, if you have wronged someone, God will take up their defense against you.  We will find ourselves working against God, so better to clear the air so that our prayers can be unhindered and our sacrifices/works of service/worship be acceptable.
 
And Jesus continues (if that’s not enough to make you swallow your pride) there is also the very real possibility of being forced to make restitution if you don’t do so willingly on your own.   There is the old adage that no one wants to ‘eat crow,’ and exercising the necessary humility to admit when we’re in the wrong is often treated as a last resort.  But Jesus reminds us that our pride can end up costing us more in the long run.
 
Is there someone in your life you need to apologize to?  A wrong that you’ve committed against another?  As long as you avoid taking the steps toward admitting fault, reconciliation and/or restitution, Jesus tells us any ‘sacrifices’ we wish to make to God are wasted.  Yes, we need to make our confessions to God, but the repentance will be lacking as long as we refuse to become transparent and humble ourselves.   And it is repentance, true sorrow for wrongdoing, that God desires.  He wants us to be sorry for the wrong things we do, not simply sorry because we got caught or pretending that all is fine when it is not.
 
On the flipside of reconciliation, we have another touchy subject…revenge!
 
 REVENGE—DON’T TAKE OFFENSE!
Matthew 5:38-42 – “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”
 
Often times, restitution is complicated by the desire for revenge by those offended.  We demand an ‘eye for an eye,’ yet find ourselves still resentful even when the full measure of the law is meted out.  And what of those times when the offender doesn’t admit their fault…ignoring or even adding to our pain?  We might be tempted to shout down Jesus, “Forgiveness is too hard.  I refuse to be a doormat!”  But take another look.  That’s not what he is telling us to do.
 
I believe that what  Jesus is telling us to do when he instructs us ‘not to resist’ and to do even more than what is being demanded of us by another, is his way of telling us not to return hurt for hurt.  In other words, don’t stoop to the level of the offender.  Return offense with grace.  Pay back unfair treatment with generosity.  Repay hurt with forgiveness.  Essentially, Jesus is calling us to be him.
 
Remember Romans 5:8, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.[..while we were still his enemies!]”   Jesus is telling us to act by his standards.  And aren’t we glad for his amazing grace and forgiveness?  If we got what we deserved every time we offended God or did not represent Jesus well, there would be no hope for us!  We cannot both hold tightly to our ‘forgiven’ status and yet withhold it from others.
 
God forgives those who forgive.  How does God respond to our requests for forgiveness when we withhold it from others?  Later on in this very sermon, Jesus is going to tell his audience that God will not forgive us when we refuse to forgive others.  There is too much at stake for us to seek revenge or hold grudges.
 
Is there anyone from whom you are withholding forgiveness?  If so, it is affecting your relationship not only with that person, but also with God.  Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that you have to trust that person or that you have to renew your relationship…to do so may be very unwise!  But it does mean releasing yourself from the pain, releasing them from your need for vengeance and releasing them to God’s judgment and love.
 
There is an old saying about forgiveness that has done more harm than good, “Forgive and forget.”  Only God can do that!  Our prayer should be to ‘forgive and remember without bitterness.’  Forgiveness is not about forgetting or pretending that everything is okay.  It is also not about letting someone off the hook; consequences for doing wrong are not removed through our forgiveness.  Forgiveness is about no longer allowing the hurt to control your thoughts and emotions.  Forgiveness is about freeing yourself to love another, even those who might consider themselves your enemies. 
  
ENEMIES—WORK FOR PEACE!
Matthew 5:43-48 – “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
 
We are not given the option to ‘hate’ anyone.  Not even those who view us as their enemies!
 
When do we find this hardest to live out…to love our enemies and to pray for those who go out of our way to cause us harm?  Strangers can be cruel to those they don’t know and don’t agree with.  We see it all the time in our world today.  However, have you ever noticed that it is often those who are closest to us, who can wound us the deepest?  And yet, we are not to hate--the stranger, a family member, our neighbour or the people who have chosen to be our enemy.  Impossible without Jesus’ help.
 
But after that doozy to ‘love your enemy,’ we often miss out on the significance of what Jesus says next.  Our love for all should cause us to refuse to play favourites in our relationships because God doesn’t.  Whoa…wait a second.  Doesn’t God love Christians more than non-Christians?  NO!  He does not.  If you’ve somehow come to that conclusion, you are wrong.  God loves all people, each created in his image, equally.  As his creation, he will discipline us, reward us, encourage us, direct us…and give us the freedom to choose to accept or reject him.  Of course, there are consequences for our choices, but that in no way plays a role in determining God’s love for humanity.  Can we please him?  Yes.  Can we make him angry?  Of course!  But that doesn’t change his desire that we would all return to him.
 
Most parents, even after experiencing difficulties with their children, are quick to embrace a wayward child who returns seeking forgiveness and with a desire to reconnect.  How much more God, the Creator…our perfect parent…for whom we were created? 
  
Takeaways…
·         When you find yourself getting angry…check it!
·         If you are experiencing disputes and disagreement, especially if you are the guilty party…resolve it!
·         Don’t be easily offended.  And, when you are hurt, be quick to forgive, even without being asked.
·         Love your enemies and work for peace.
 
It is a difficult list…impossible in fact without God’s help.  It should cause us to be especially grateful for the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in our lives.
  
Sunday, May 22, 2022 – 2022 Theme - “Doing Life with Jesus – Divorce, Unfaithfulness & Vows” – In-person and Online 
Pastor Jane Peck, Hope Chapel
(Collingwood EMCC Church)
 
"Learning and Living the Way of Jesus!"