Man’s Anger and God’s Displeasure

 

 

Sermon on the Mount- 11

 

TITLE: Man’s Anger and God’s Displeasure

TEXT: Matthew 5:21-26

TONE: Warning

TARGET: Self-Righteous

TASK: To warn my hearers of the danger of trusting in the Law for righteousness.

TEACH: Cain and Abel were the Sons of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 4:3-8, each make offerings to God. Abel’s offering is accepted, but Cain’s is not. The reason being, Abel brought to God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous. This suggests that Cain’s offering was insincere and not offered in faith. Cain becomes angry and downcast. God warns Cain about managing his anger, but Cain doesn’t listen. In a fit of rage, he kills his brother Abel. Cain’s self-righteous anger leads to the first murder, demonstrating how unchecked anger can result in devastating consequences.

 

TRUTH:  This is the first of six examples which our Lord gives of His interpretation of the Law of God over and against that of the scribes and Pharisees. I would remind you that is the way in which we interpret the remainder of this chapter, and indeed most of the remainder of this Sermon on the Mount. It is all, in a sense, an exposition of that amazing statement: “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into Heaven.” The contrast, is not between the law given through Moses and the teaching of Jesus; it is a contrast between the false interpretation of the law of Moses, and the true presentation of the law given by the Lord himself.” (D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, pg. 194). 

 

Jesus begins by referencing the Mosaic Law, specifically the Sixth Commandment (Ex. 20:13). Thus, Christ sets the stage to deepen the understanding of the Law. He emphasizes that His interpretation will reach beyond the mere letter to the very spirit of the Law. He addresses the anger that leads to murder and the pride of those who uphold outward conformity without inward transformation. Jesus is seeking to sweep aside every ounce of self-righteousness.

 

I.   Jesus Explains the Law to Include Anger (5:22)

Explanation: Jesus introduces the idea that anger and contempt are also serious offenses. “Raca” meaning “empty headed,” and calling someone a “fool” are condemned. This radical teaching underscores the importance of internal righteousness. Anger and contempt, even without physical violence, fracture relationships and community, violating the spirit of the Law of love which Jesus promotes.

 

Anger is sinful (ordinarily), even if it never leads to action (v.22). Jesus also prohibits contempt, another disposition that leads to killing. The Greek literally reads “whoever says to his brother “raca” will be liable to council, and whoever says “moran” will be liable to the hell of fire” (v.22b). Raca expresses contempt for the mind. It means “idiot! Moron!” Moran expresses contempt for the heart and character. It means “Scoundrel!” If raca insults the brain, more insults the heart. Together they imply that a person is worthless. Jesus forbids contempt and disdain because they kill the spirit of those who receive it. And can lead to murder. (Daniel M. Doriani, Expository Commentary: Matthew Vol.III, pg.92)

 

Here Jesus shatters the illusion of self-righteousness. Like most people throughout history, the scribes and the Pharisees thought that if there was any sin of which they were clearly not guilty it was murder. According to Rabbinic tradition and to the beliefs of most cultures, murder is strictly limited to the physical act. But the Jews, who are custodians of God’s Word, should have known that God commands heart-righteousness, “these people honor with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Furthermore, they considered murder a civil issue without any regard for the holiness of God.

 

Application: (1). How can I better address and manage my anger in accordance with Jesus’ teachings? (2). Are these any relationships in my life that need reconciliation? (3). What steps can I take toward resolving conflicts?

 

Meditate on the following verses: (1). Ephesians 4:26-27- “Be angry and do not sin; do  not let the sin go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil.” (2). James 1:19-20- “Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (3). Proverbs 15:1- “A soft answers turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (4). Proverbs 16:32- “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (5). Psalm 37:8- “Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” (6). Proverbs 19:11- “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”  (7). Colossians 3:8- “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” (8). Ecclesiastes 7:9- “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.”  Hatred brings a person closer to murder than does any other emotion. And hatred is but an extension of anger. Anger leads to hatred, which leads to murder.

 

II.                           Jesus Emphasizes the Importance of Reconciliation in Worship (5:23-24)

Explanation: The point here is that reconciliation takes precedent over ritual. Jesus emphasis is that reconciliation with others takes precedence over religious rituals. True worship cannot coexist with unresolved conflict. This teaching highlights the relational focus of God’s commandments, where relational unity and peace are of utmost importance.

 

The act of making an offering or participating in any religious activity loses its value when it is done amidst discord or animosity with others. This perspective is deeply rooted in the theological understanding that our relationship with others reflects our relationship with God. In other words, vertical worship -our relationship with God -cannot be authentic if our horizontal relationships with others are fractured. 

 

The scene was a familiar one to the Jews. The Lord may have had in mind here the sacrifice made on the Day of Atonement, when the worshiper brought an animal sacrifice for his sins. When he came to the court of the priests he would stop, because only priests were allowed to enter the altar area. He would then lay his hands on the animal to identify with it and present it to the priest to offer on his behalf. However, for the offering to be acceptable unto God unresolved conflicts must be settled. You must settle the breach between you and your brother before you try and settle to breach between you and God.

 

“True worship is not enhanced by better music, better prayers, better architecture, or even better preaching. True worship is enhanced by better relationships between those who come to worship.” (John McArthur, New Testament Commentary: Matthew 1-7, pg. 297).

 

Application: (1). How does prioritizing reconciliation influence my worship and spiritual life? Without reconciliation there is no value in our worship.

 

Memorize the following verses: (1). Matthew 5:23-24 -This passage emphasizes that unresolved conflicts can hinder our worship. God prefers reconciliation over rituals offerings, highlighting its significance in our spiritual relationship with Him.” (2). Ephesians 4:31-32- “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (3). Colossians 3:12-13- “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

 

Our willingness to reconcile with others is proof we have been reconciled to God. Those who have been forgiven are willing to forgive. This is what Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s Prayer.

 

III.                      Jesus Encourages them to Settle Disputes Quickly (5: 25-26)

Explanation: Jesus gives practical advice by urging immediate resolution of conflicts to avoid severe consequences. In the context of first-century Jewish and Roman law, this advice would have resonated with the audience. The emphasis on prompt reconciliation reflects God’s desire for His followers to live in peace. It mirrors divine justice, where unresolved sin results in stringent consequences, pushing believers towards prompt reconciliation with both God and others.

 

The time for reconciliation is just like the time of salvation, it is now. We are not to allow the cancer of bitterness, anger, hatred, or any other sin to keep us from reconciliation. “The point of the passage is clear: we are to make every effort, with no delay; to make our relationship right with our brother before our relationship can be right with God and we can avoid His chastening.” (McArthur, pg. 298).

 

Application: (1). In what ways can I foster a community that values and pursues peace and unity among its members?

 

Implement the following verses: (1). Promote Love and Compassion: Colossians 3:14- “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (2). Encourage Forgiveness: Ephesians 4:32- “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (3). Maintain Humility: Philippians 2:3- “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (4). Be Peacemakers: Matthew 5:9- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (5). Pursue Unity in Christ: Ephesians 4:3- “Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (6). Uphold Mutual Encouragement: Hebrews 10:24-25- “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

 

Take-Away: This passage challenges followers of Christ to a higher standard of love, peace, and early conflict resolution. The principles set forth by Jesus echo the deeper righteousness that the New Covenant demands -going beyond mere outward compliance to nurturing an internal, heart-level obedience. (1). Regular Heart Examinations: Regularly assess motivations, anger, and contempt residing and seek God’s transformation. (2). Prioritize Relationships: Before engaging in acts of worship ensure that interpersonal relationships are free from unresolved conflict. (3). Act Promptly: Be proactive in resolving disputes, understanding the spiritual and practical ramifications of lingering conflicts. (4). Model Peace: In church and community settings, foster a culture that values swift, Christ-like reconciliation.

 

In the fullest sense, of course, because no one every fully has right attitudes toward others, no worship is acceptable. Thus, everything Jesus teaches in this passage, as in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, is to show the absolutely perfect standard of God’s righteousness and the absolutely impossible task of our meeting that standard in our own power. He shatters self-righteousness in order to drive us to His righteousness, which alone is acceptable to God. (McArthur, pg. 298).