Sermon Cloud

Intro:  That’s the title of a 300+ page book attacking Bill O’Reilly.  What motivates that?

Big Idea:  Followers of Jesus forsake anger & pursue reconciliation.

Context: Jesus explains what it means for their righteousness to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees.  The Law is used here to evaluate one’s spiritual condition.

I. Jesus is concerned with attitudes & words as well as actions.

-         Many of those Jesus addressed were illiterate.  They depended on the rabbis!

-         The Scribes & Pharisees focused on the letter of the law- murder.  Ill. Jumping in water

-         They imagined themselves righteous because they didn’t murder anyone.

-         Jesus explains the spirit of the law- we can murder people in our hearts.  Ill. wading

-         “Angry” is a persistent state of anger that thinks ill of others- hatred (1 Jn 3 & James 1).

-         But that isn’t all.  We are guilty of outbursts of anger, or rage.

-         We can attack others with our words- Idiot!  Fool!  Ill. Traffic, talk radio

-         Anger can be sinful long before you shoot, stab, poison or run someone over.

Transition: Sweet Jesus, I Hate Bill O’Reilly is blaspheme & breaks the 5^th commandment.

II. Anger has earthly & eternal consequences.

-         Murder, according to the Law, was punishable by the death penalty.

-         Murderers also faced the judgment unless they repented.

-         Jesus uses the same formula of judgment for anger.  Ill. I Hate Bill O’Reilly

-         Abusive language could get you brought before the council- church discipline.

-         Abusive language deserves the fires of hell.

-         Unresolved anger corrupts our worship.  Ill. Exploring Your Anger

-         A lawsuit resulting from anger can result in serious consequences.  Ill. Runaway bride

-         God takes this far more seriously than we do.  We brush it off.  Ill. Proverbs

-         We are accountable for what we do with our anger- so deal with it!  Ill. My anger

Transition: Sweet Jesus, I Hate Bill O’Reilly should be condemned; the authors will be.

III. Rush to repent & reconcile!

-         This is the focus on Jesus’ two stories about worship & lawsuits.

-         First, if your brother has something against you, repent & go be reconciled.

-         We are not right with God if we are not also right with His people.

-         Keep short accounts; don’t let things build up.  Pick up the phone on Saturday.

-         An “opponent” is someone with whom you are engaged in a lawsuit.

-         Jesus does not want you to squash him in court, but make him your friend.

-         Try to work it out before going to court, even on the way to court.

-         Grace can set us free from the anger-dominated life.  Ill. Jadon- gentle answers

-         Become known as those who seek reconciliation- not the disgruntled abuser of others.

Conclusion: In a fallen world, anger is commonplace.  We should be angry at evil and injustice- Jesus was.  But because we are fallen too, our anger is often sinful and keeps us from living as God intended.  We hold grudges, verbally abuse and break off fellowship.  Jesus says we are guilty of murder and need to repent and be reconciled.  As we walk in faith and grace, our righteousness will exceed that of the Scribes & Pharisees, to the glory of God.