WEBVTT

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 Good morning, church.

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 Just making sure I'm on so you can hear me.

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 Well, we're continuing our series in the Old Testament book of Proverbs this morning.

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 Proverbs is a book about what it means to be truly wise.

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 And for the rest of the summer, we're looking at some of the key themes of this book.

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 We said a couple weeks ago that sort of the main bulk of Proverbs, chapters 10 through

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 31, was put together a lot like that sort of tightly woven tapestry, giving us this integrated

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 picture of what a whole life of wisdom looks like.

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 And this morning, we're going to pull another one of those threads and consider another angle

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 on what it means to really be wise.

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 So I want to start this morning by reading just sort of a series of Proverbs.

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 And we're going to start at Proverbs chapter 14, verse 29.

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 That's page 538 in the Pew Bible, if you want to turn with me there.

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 Page 538, we're going to start in Proverbs chapter 14, verse 29.

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 If you're new to a Bible, the big numbers are the chapters and the small numbers are the

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 verses.

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 And I'm going to just sort of read through a collection of Proverbs to consider an important

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 theme together this morning.

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 So let's start.

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 Proverbs 14, 29.

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 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

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 15, 18.

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 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

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 16, 32.

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 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he

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 who takes a city.

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 19, 11.

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 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

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 19, 19.

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 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to

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 do it again.

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 Chapter 22, verse 24 and 25.

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 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn

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 his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

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 29, 11.

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 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

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 29, 22.

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 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

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 Why don't we pray, and then we'll consider these verses a bit more deeply.

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 Father, we do thank you that we get this chance this morning on this day, what we call the Lord's

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 day, the day when we remember, Lord Jesus, your resurrection from the dead and the beginning

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 of our new life.

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 Lord, we thank you that we can now gather around your word.

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 We thank you that you continue to speak to us and instruct us and teach us through scripture.

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 God, we ask that by your spirit you would allow these passages to come alive in our hearts.

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 Lord, that you would change us and transform us more and more into the image of your son,

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 so that as we've sung this morning, we might bring glory to you and know true joy in our hearts.

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 We pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, so you can probably tell from the verses we just read together that our topic this morning

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 is a topic of anger.

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 According to Proverbs, if we're going to be wise, if we're going to live life well,

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 we need to reckon with the reality of anger in our lives and in the lives of others.

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 Now, I don't know whether you think anger is an issue for you or not.

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 You know, we can hear stories of parents getting into fistfights at their kids' little league games,

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 and we think, whoa, they've got anger issues.

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 I'm not that bad.

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 You know, sometimes anger is easy to spot, right?

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 But when it comes to ourselves, we can often think that we're pretty patient people.

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 That was true of me before I got married.

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 I thought I was a pretty patient person.

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 I actually probably would have called myself a really patient person.

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 But in reality, now I know, that's just because I had very little responsibility,

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 and there was nothing in my life that sort of challenged my incredibly self-centered approach

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 to all of my decisions and what I did.

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 So, yeah, I could do whatever I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it,

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 so I didn't get upset all that much.

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 But then enter marriage, and then enter children,

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 and suddenly I'm not the all-patient person I thought I was.

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 But keep in mind, too, anger comes in all sorts of forms.

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 A couple friends of ours that Beth and I know from college who are married,

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 whenever they get into an argument, it's like someone just turned the volume up to 11 immediately.

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 They're loud, they're passionate, they're vocal.

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 The first time we sort of spent the weekend with them, I kind of got a little nervous.

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 I talked to Beth later, and I was like, are they okay?

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 Like, do we need to connect them with a counselor or something?

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 Are they doing all right?

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 So, yeah, and some people it's easy to spot anger.

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 But, you know, what about the couple, or what about the person who instead just gets really quiet?

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 Who refuses to interact?

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 Who shuts the other person out?

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 Who lets it all simmer underneath and never lets it go?

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 It might not look like uncontrolled anger at first,

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 and yet it's just as real and just as deadly.

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 Anger can look like shouting, but it can also look like the silent treatment, right?

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 In fact, when anger goes wrong, it takes lots of forms.

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 Irritation, complaining, bitterness, or just sort of low-grade impatience.

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 So, friends, what Proverbs has to say about anger is really for all of us.

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 And we're going to look at three things this morning related to anger from Proverbs that these verses show us.

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 We're going to look first at the cost of uncontrolled anger.

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 And then second, we're going to see what can help us in our anger.

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 And then last, we're going to see what can heal us in our anger.

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 So first, let's consider the cost of uncontrolled anger.

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 And I think we can categorize what Proverbs says here in a few ways.

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 First, Proverbs says if you're quick-tempered, one of the costs is you'll just do foolish things.

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 Proverbs 14.17 puts it quite bluntly.

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 A man of quick temper acts foolishly.

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 Also 14.29, whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,

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 but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

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 Or as one translation puts it, a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.

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 You'll do things you later regret, and it will just keep piling up.

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 Now, I mean, we can all relate to that, right?

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 Don't raise your hand.

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 But how many of us have said things or done things when we're angry,

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 and later we think, what was I thinking?

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 I just decapitated all three of my children because they asked me for a cup of milk.

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 What is going on?

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 That was incredibly foolish.

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 I didn't literally decapitate my kids.

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 That never happened.

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 So being quick-tempered, uncontrolled anger causes us to just do foolish things.

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 That's one cost.

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 Second, if you're quick-tempered, you'll end up wrecking community.

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 Proverbs 15.18.

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 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

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 but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

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 And 29.22.

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 A man of wrath stirs up strife,

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 and one given to anger causes much transgression.

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 You see, Proverbs is pointing us there to the social cost of being quick-tempered.

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 Think of that image of stirring up strife.

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 You know, when I was growing up,

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 I lived for a time in upstate New York,

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 and we lived near a lake,

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 and, you know, many times we would go out to the lake,

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 and it would be sort of crystal clear.

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 And if you waded out into the water calmly,

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 you'd be able to continue to see right down to the bottom.

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 See the fish, see the rocks.

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 It was all quite peaceful and serene.

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 However, if you stomped violently in the water,

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 boom, boom, boom, splash, splash, splash,

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 what happens?

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 You stir up all the dirt and all the sand,

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 and the once peaceful water is now this swirling mess,

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 and you can't see a thing.

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 Uncontrolled anger, according to Proverbs,

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 is like that in relationships.

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 It just stirs up strife and conflicts and fights and animosity.

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 Turns people against one another in neighborhoods and homes and churches.

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 In other words, uncontrolled anger wrecks havoc in community.

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 It creates strife among people who themselves aren't even that angry of people.

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 But third, if you're quick-tempered,

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 there's a deep personal cost.

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 Listen to Proverbs 25, 28.

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 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

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 In Proverbs 19, 19 again.

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 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,

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 for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

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 In other words, uncontrolled anger, says Proverbs,

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 leaves you desolate and holds you captive.

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 25, 28 uses the image of a city broken into and left without walls.

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 And in the ancient world, a city's walls were its primary means of defense.

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 So a city without walls is a picture of weakness and vulnerability.

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 You're defenseless and you're desolate.

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 Anything, even the smallest army, could destroy you.

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 And it's like that when anger is uncontrolled.

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 The smallest thing can set you off, send you on a spiral, and destroy you.

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 But in Proverbs 19, 19, it gets even more serious if you look there.

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 What is this verse really describing?

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 Proverbs 19, 19, a man of great wrath will pay the penalty.

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 If you deliver him, you will only have to do it again, and again, and again.

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 Do you see what Proverbs is saying there?

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 That wrath, that anger, it's like an addiction.

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 It gets a hold on us, and it grips us so deeply

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 that even if you deliver someone from the penalty

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 or from the consequences of their angry actions,

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 they fall back into it again and again.

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 They go right back in.

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 They can't stop themselves from just falling back into it.

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 You know, that's why Proverbs gives the opposite advice

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 to what you sometimes hear when it comes to anger.

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 The popular advice on anger, how to deal with it,

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 is oftentimes, well, you just have to let it out.

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 Just let it out.

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 If you're angry, go punch a pillow.

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 Scream really loudly.

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 Just let it out.

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 Ventilate.

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 Release the pressure.

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 But friends, that advice is very short-sighted

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 because uncontrolled anger is actually like a muscle

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 that the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets,

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 and the stronger it gets, the more it will hold you captive.

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 Proverbs 29, 11 says,

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 A fool gives fool vent to his spirit,

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 but a wise man quietly holds it back.

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 So if letting it out isn't going to help, what will?

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 And this takes us to the second big thing

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 that Proverbs shows us about anger.

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 If that's the cost of uncontrolled anger,

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 what can help us in our anger?

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 What will help us become less and less quick-tempered

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 and more and more what Proverbs calls slow to anger?

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 The first thing it points to is the company you keep.

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 Proverbs 22, 24 through 25 again.

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 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,

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 nor go with a wrathful man,

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 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

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 Anger, you see, is something that you can learn.

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 Or as one translation puts it,

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 bad temper is contagious.

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 Don't get infected.

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 So when you're picking your friends,

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 when you're choosing who to hang out with,

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 ask yourself,

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 are my friends quick-tempered?

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 Are they easily just set off?

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 Are they angry, irritable, complaining,

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 always holding a grudge,

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 always blaming others,

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 always cutting people down?

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 Proverbs says choosing to spend time with people like that,

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 whether it's in person

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 or whether it's through the shows

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 and the media that we consume.

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 Anger is very profitable, friends, isn't it?

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 Proverbs says choosing

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 those sorts of things is like volunteering

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 to entangle yourself in a snare.

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 It's like seeing the bear trap

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 and jumping right in.

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 Boom.

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 If you have the choice,

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 don't go there.

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 Of course, you don't always have the choice, right?

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 It's different with family, isn't it?

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 You can't choose your family.

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 Sometimes family members get angry,

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 so your strategy has to be a little different.

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 If your child struggles with uncontrolled anger,

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 you can't just disown them.

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 Ah, Proverbs 22, 24 through 25.

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 Sorry, kiddo.

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 You're off on your own.

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 No.

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 As a parent,

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 your job is to move toward your child in love.

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 Listen to the cries of their hearts.

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 Yes, correct what needs to be corrected,

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 but also prayerfully call forth the good.

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 If your spouse struggles with anger,

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 much the same applies.

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 Pray for them.

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 Love them.

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 Stick with them.

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 Listen to the cries of their hearts.

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 Pray.

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 Of course, if the anger turns to physical abuse,

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 you need to be safe.

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 Separate yourself.

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 Get help.

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 Don't do it alone.

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 So in some of our relationships,

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 we won't be able to choose,

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 but in those where we do have a choice,

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 Proverbs is saying,

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 the one thing that will make you wise

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 when it comes to anger,

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 one thing that will help you become a person

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 who is slow to anger,

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 as opposed to quick-tempered,

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 is the company you keep.

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 But next, it's not just the company you keep,

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 but the words that you speak.

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 The words that you speak.

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 Proverbs 15, 1.

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 Proverbs 15, 1 says,

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 a soft or a gentle answer turns away wrath,

00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:42.539
 but a harsh word stirs up anger.

00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:46.579
 Now, of course, the primary point of this verse

00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:49.219
 is how to interact with angry people, right?

00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.000
 How do you do it?

00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:51.559
 Do you rise to the occasion?

00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:53.019
 Do you fight fire with fire?

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.620
 Proverbs says,

00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:56.340
 No, a soft answer, a gentle answer.

00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:01.019
 That is a controlled and deliberate,

00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.759
 loving response

00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:05.980
 that really cares for the person in front of you

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.759
 and doesn't just treat them

00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:09.019
 as a problem to be solved

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.859
 or an issue to be dealt with,

00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:13.720
 much less an enemy or an opponent to be defeated.

00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.599
 That sort of answer,

00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:18.579
 a soft, a gentle answer,

00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.220
 Proverbs says,

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:22.420
 diffuses the bomb of anger.

00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:24.899
 But on the flip side,

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.839
 if you want to pull the pin,

00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.479
 well, go right ahead.

00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.399
 Give a harsh word.

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:31.739
 View the situation as a contest to be won.

00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:34.159
 View the person as a problem

00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:36.339
 to be controlled and contained.

00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.959
 Answer that way.

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:38.959
 Proverbs says,

00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:41.259
 Guaranteed, you can watch the anger escalate.

00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:45.500
 But you know,

00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:47.059
 I think this verse also applies

00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:49.319
 to how we speak to ourselves

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:51.039
 in moments of anger.

00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:55.639
 Listen to Proverbs 20, 22.

00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.139
 Do not say,

00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.759
 I will repay evil.

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.920
 Wait for the Lord

00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:04.079
 and he will deliver you.

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:07.519
 Do not say.

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.119
 Say to who?

00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:13.139
 Who are we speaking to here?

00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.319
 Well, obviously,

00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.200
 what we have in this verse

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.659
 is an internal dialogue

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:19.180
 of someone who's angry,

00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:21.080
 who's ready to deal out revenge.

00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:21.940
 And Proverbs is saying,

00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.440
 don't say,

00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.460
 I will repay evil.

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.080
 Rather,

00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.460
 speak the soft word,

00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.500
 which is really

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.700
 the stronger word

00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.400
 to yourself.

00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.080
 Wait for the Lord

00:18:31.080 --> 00:18:33.060
 and he will deliver you.

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:37.220
 So Proverbs 15,

00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:37.940
 one,

00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:38.840
 this proverb

00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.560
 that many of us

00:18:39.560 --> 00:18:40.300
 have heard before,

00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:41.820
 a soft answer

00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:43.040
 turns away wrath,

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.480
 but a harsh word

00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.480
 stirs up anger,

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:47.460
 applies as much

00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.339
 to our internal

00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:50.000
 conversations with ourselves

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.660
 as to our external

00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:53.039
 conversations with others.

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.880
 So friends,

00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.920
 what do you say to others?

00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:58.799
 Or perhaps,

00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.420
 just as importantly,

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.559
 what do you say to yourself

00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.860
 when you're angry?

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.960
 I think in large part,

00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:07.279
 this is why stepping back

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.039
 and taking a deep breath

00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:10.500
 can be so helpful

00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.579
 when our anger

00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.799
 is running out of control.

00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.740
 I mean,

00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:16.220
 the oxygen probably helps,

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.519
 right?

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.940
 But I think the deep breath

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.539
 really helps

00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.339
 because it gives you

00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.659
 a moment to pause

00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:24.859
 and reframe the situation.

00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.980
 It gives you a moment

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.659
 to get some perspective

00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:30.279
 and to start talking

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.419
 to yourself differently

00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:33.319
 about what's really going on.

00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.299
 No,

00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.899
 your parents

00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:39.180
 aren't on a mission

00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.619
 to destroy

00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:41.879
 all your fun

00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:43.719
 and strip you

00:19:43.719 --> 00:19:44.979
 of all of your freedom.

00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.439
 Teenagers,

00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:50.239
 take a deep breath.

00:19:51.979 --> 00:19:52.639
 Tell yourself

00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.619
 the soft answer,

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.279
 which is the strong answer

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.739
 that,

00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:56.619
 you know,

00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:57.519
 my parents love me.

00:19:58.979 --> 00:20:00.239
 They're not perfect,

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.679
 but they want my best.

00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:02.819
 And God,

00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:03.779
 my heavenly father,

00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:04.719
 has given me

00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:05.259
 my parents

00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.859
 for my good.

00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:06.500
 No,

00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:10.439
 your roommate

00:20:10.439 --> 00:20:11.659
 or your co-worker

00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:13.579
 doesn't always

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:15.159
 fill in the blank,

00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:15.859
 right?

00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:18.439
 They always

00:20:18.439 --> 00:20:20.259
 cut me off.

00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.299
 Take a deep breath.

00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.539
 They aren't on a mission

00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:28.139
 to make your life miserable.

00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.759
 That's not the driving force

00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.479
 in their life.

00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:32.099
 Excuse yourself.

00:20:32.199 --> 00:20:33.359
 Take a walk around the block

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.019
 if you need to,

00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.139
 but tell yourself

00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:36.000
 the soft answer,

00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.259
 which is the strong answer.

00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:37.579
 No,

00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.839
 that person is not perfect,

00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:40.700
 but they're not pure evil either.

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.420
 And God will give me

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:42.920
 the grace

00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:44.019
 to overlook the offense

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.119
 and serve and love them

00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.680
 regardless.

00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.259
 Friends,

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.119
 you see how the words

00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:50.680
 you speak

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.680
 are so critical

00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:53.900
 when it comes to help

00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:55.460
 in our anger.

00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:59.039
 But there's a third help.

00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.879
 Not just the company you keep,

00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.160
 not just the words you speak,

00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.740
 but third,

00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:04.460
 Proverbs shows us

00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.900
 the benefits

00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:09.480
 of being slow to anger.

00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:14.079
 It casts before us

00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.680
 a vision of life,

00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.220
 of what it would be like,

00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.960
 the benefits

00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:19.400
 of being slow to anger.

00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.180
 You see,

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.759
 the vision

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.779
 that Proverbs

00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:23.000
 puts out before us

00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:25.120
 is not that the wise

00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:27.359
 are totally emotionless.

00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.960
 Biblically speaking,

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:32.519
 the wise aren't complete stoics

00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:35.180
 striving to be unfeeling

00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.200
 to the world around them.

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.360
 No,

00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:37.680
 that's not biblical wisdom.

00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.700
 There are actually times

00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.500
 when anger

00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:42.259
 is wholly appropriate.

00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:47.600
 God is angry

00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:49.180
 at evil

00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.340
 and injustice,

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.380
 and it is perfectly good

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:52.920
 and right.

00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:55.340
 After all,

00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.300
 how could God

00:21:56.300 --> 00:21:57.820
 be a God of love

00:21:57.820 --> 00:22:00.100
 if He wasn't opposed

00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:01.620
 to evil and wrong

00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.920
 and all that destroys

00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.880
 His good creation?

00:22:04.560 --> 00:22:05.500
 The opposite of love

00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.140
 isn't anger,

00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:06.620
 you know.

00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.880
 The opposite of love

00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.779
 is indifference.

00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.580
 Because we love,

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.380
 because we care,

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.140
 because we're deeply invested

00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:19.320
 in something's good,

00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.200
 because of that,

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.799
 there's a right sort of anger.

00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:24.740
 An anger

00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.519
 at that which

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:27.160
 threatens what we love

00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.080
 and what we value.

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.580
 Proverbs says,

00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.460
 the wise person

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.279
 isn't a person

00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.980
 who is never angry.

00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:38.720
 After all,

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.980
 Jesus Himself got angry,

00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:40.980
 didn't He?

00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.660
 Read the Gospels.

00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.240
 Jesus got angry

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.299
 at self-righteousness,

00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:49.980
 at hard-heartedness,

00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.519
 at injustice.

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.220
 Jesus got very angry

00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.799
 at death.

00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:00.920
 The wise aren't never angry,

00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:03.440
 rather they are slow

00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:03.960
 to anger.

00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.779
 And one of the things

00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.319
 that will help us

00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.480
 become less quick-tempered

00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.860
 and more slow to anger

00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.720
 is to see the benefits

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:14.420
 of being slow to anger.

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.240
 Listen again

00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.880
 to Proverbs 14.29.

00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:21.060
 Whoever's slow to anger

00:23:21.060 --> 00:23:22.900
 has great understanding,

00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:25.660
 but he who has a hasty temper

00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.760
 exalts folly.

00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.200
 Those who are slow

00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:29.780
 to anger,

00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.260
 friends,

00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:32.940
 have deep understanding.

00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:34.980
 You see,

00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:36.060
 uncontrolled anger

00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.820
 prevents us

00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:37.820
 from seeing things

00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:38.980
 as they are.

00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.780
 It blocks our ability

00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:42.120
 to really understand

00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:42.920
 the world

00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.760
 in a deep way.

00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:47.000
 We're not thinking

00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:48.140
 straight when we're angry.

00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.379
 It clouds our reason.

00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.480
 But those who are

00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:52.720
 slow to anger,

00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.980
 the opposite is true.

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.839
 They can really grasp

00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:58.480
 the deep logic of things.

00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.079
 They can really

00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.079
 understand

00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.059
 other people.

00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:01.740
 They can really

00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.099
 see reality

00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:03.920
 as it truly is.

00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.599
 And they can live

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.119
 accordingly.

00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.720
 In the New Testament

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.440
 epistle of James,

00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.059
 chapter 1,

00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.180
 19 through 20,

00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.840
 James puts it this way.

00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.160
 He says,

00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.880
 Know this,

00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.740
 my beloved brothers

00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.340
 and sisters.

00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:17.340
 Let every person

00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:18.700
 be quick to listen,

00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.519
 slow to speak,

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.100
 slow to anger.

00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.160
 For the anger of man

00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.080
 does not produce

00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:25.680
 the righteousness

00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.539
 of God.

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.759
 So there's one benefit.

00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:32.600
 Deep understanding.

00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.240
 Here's another.

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.560
 Proverbs 15.18.

00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.980
 A hot-tempered man

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.920
 stirs up strife,

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.759
 but he who is slow

00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.240
 to anger

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.200
 quiets contention.

00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:44.539
 How do you make

00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:46.120
 that stomped through

00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:47.180
 muddy pond

00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.220
 crystal clear again?

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.400
 How do you move

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.860
 a friendship,

00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.500
 a family,

00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.000
 a church,

00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:52.279
 a city from strife

00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.200
 and contention

00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.759
 to peace and harmony?

00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.440
 How do you bring

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:58.100
 healing to communities?

00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:04.060
 Only through being

00:25:04.060 --> 00:25:05.140
 slow to anger.

00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:05.200
 anger.

00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:07.900
 Friends,

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.720
 think of the salt

00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:10.060
 and light we would be

00:25:10.060 --> 00:25:10.800
 in our city

00:25:10.800 --> 00:25:12.220
 and in our schools

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.320
 and in our workplaces

00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:14.180
 if we,

00:25:14.520 --> 00:25:15.100
 the church,

00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.259
 were slow to anger.

00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:19.040
 It's so easy

00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:20.520
 to be cynical

00:25:20.520 --> 00:25:21.720
 and snarky,

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.300
 isn't it?

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.360
 I know

00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:26.960
 because I can be

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.920
 as cynical

00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.759
 as the next guy.

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:33.240
 What if we were

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.619
 slow to anger

00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.579
 instead?

00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:39.279
 Listen to Proverbs 19.11.

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.539
 Good sense

00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.319
 makes one

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.400
 slow to anger

00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:45.720
 and it is his glory

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.579
 to overlook

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.400
 an offense.

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:52.019
 There's glory

00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:54.240
 in overlooking

00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.220
 an offense.

00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:57.740
 Of course,

00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.039
 the world

00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:58.440
 doesn't always

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.100
 see it that way.

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.259
 It can seem weak

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.019
 to overlook

00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.539
 an offense.

00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.360
 It can seem

00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.319
 unassertive.

00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.240
 Stand up for yourself,

00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.759
 we're told.

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.319
 Or our friends

00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.120
 kind of egg us on.

00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.480
 You're not going

00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.059
 to take that,

00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:10.500
 are you?

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.039
 Overheard

00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:14.960
 at every lunch period

00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.100
 in every high school

00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:17.120
 in New Haven County,

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.480
 right?

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.259
 You're not going

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.720
 to take that

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.079
 from them,

00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:19.400
 are you?

00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.600
 But then it just

00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.380
 gets translated

00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.299
 into different words

00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.019
 the older we get.

00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:27.880
 But I ask you,

00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.839
 what's more glorious?

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.480
 To get sucked down

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.339
 into the back

00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:32.980
 and forth

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.279
 of you offend me,

00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:35.360
 I offend you,

00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.480
 the hamster wheel

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.279
 of offense

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.819
 where no one wins.

00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:42.120
 Is that full of glory?

00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.460
 Or is it more glorious

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.360
 to overlook

00:26:46.360 --> 00:26:46.960
 an offense?

00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.120
 To remain

00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.140
 unshaken

00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:52.000
 and unthwarted

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.380
 on the path

00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.960
 of loving

00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.540
 our neighbors

00:26:54.540 --> 00:26:55.640
 and loving

00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.660
 even our enemies

00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:58.180
 in Christ's name.

00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.660
 To be sure,

00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.280
 brothers and sisters,

00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.180
 there is glory

00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.660
 in being slow

00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.280
 to anger.

00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.620
 Proverbs 16, 32

00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.300
 puts it this way,

00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:10.540
 it says,

00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.160
 whoever is slow

00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:11.640
 to anger

00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.760
 is better

00:27:12.760 --> 00:27:13.360
 than the mighty

00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.920
 and he who rules

00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.560
 his spirit

00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:16.520
 than he who

00:27:16.520 --> 00:27:17.340
 takes the city.

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.920
 The NIV

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.640
 puts it this way,

00:27:20.760 --> 00:27:21.620
 better a patient

00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:22.100
 person

00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:23.039
 than a warrior,

00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:25.119
 one with self-control

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.619
 and one who

00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.419
 takes the city.

00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.579
 Or one person

00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.759
 paraphrased it like this,

00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.799
 moderation

00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:33.099
 is better

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:33.639
 than muscle,

00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.379
 self-control

00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:35.819
 better

00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.879
 than political

00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:37.679
 power.

00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:42.059
 You see,

00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.240
 friends,

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.159
 what's going to last?

00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.240
 What will endure?

00:27:45.939 --> 00:27:46.939
 What is true

00:27:46.939 --> 00:27:47.639
 strength?

00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:51.420
 not the touchy,

00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.759
 quick-tempered,

00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.400
 irritable,

00:27:53.520 --> 00:27:54.120
 the always ready

00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:54.880
 for an argument,

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.100
 the belligerent,

00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.000
 the boisterous,

00:27:57.060 --> 00:27:57.700
 the proud.

00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:58.960
 No.

00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:01.060
 But those who are

00:28:01.060 --> 00:28:01.580
 slow

00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.900
 to anger.

00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.340
 And you know,

00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:06.860
 that should not

00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.640
 surprise us.

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.360
 After all,

00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.259
 it's not that God's

00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.520
 own character.

00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.080
 This is how Matt

00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.919
 began the service.

00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.139
 When God reveals

00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:19.000
 himself to Moses

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.039
 in Exodus 34,

00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:20.899
 that's a pinnacle

00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.240
 moment.

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.259
 That's a key moment

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.299
 in the Old Testament.

00:28:25.179 --> 00:28:26.220
 What does God say

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.759
 he's like?

00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:29.240
 Who is this God

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.399
 who made us?

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.699
 The Lord,

00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.740
 the Lord,

00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.799
 a God merciful

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.559
 and gracious,

00:28:37.899 --> 00:28:38.919
 slow to anger

00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.140
 and abounding

00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:41.279
 in steadfast love

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.100
 and faithfulness.

00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.940
 That's who God is.

00:28:47.300 --> 00:28:48.039
 Perhaps this is

00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:49.019
 the greatest benefit

00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.880
 of being slow

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.440
 to anger.

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.160
 That we,

00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.259
 as human beings,

00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.539
 created in God's

00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.019
 image,

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.300
 when we are slow

00:28:56.300 --> 00:28:56.759
 to anger,

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.960
 we get to display

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.500
 his character

00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.400
 in the world

00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:01.300
 he has made.

00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.100
 We get to emulate

00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:03.960
 in our own

00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.980
 creaturely way

00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.880
 the creator

00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:06.779
 who made us.

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:09.519
 we get to

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.000
 participate

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.680
 in God's

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.240
 own nature.

00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.180
 Don't you want

00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:17.859
 that sort of life?

00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.399
 Don't you want

00:29:20.399 --> 00:29:21.460
 that sort of spirit

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:24.799
 who would participate

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.879
 in the glory

00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:27.180
 of God

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.980
 in that way

00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:29.240
 rather than

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.039
 just getting sucked

00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.819
 down into the

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.460
 back and forth

00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.039
 of offense?

00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.319
 Friends,

00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:35.700
 don't you want

00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.119
 to be slow

00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.579
 to anger?

00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:40.700
 So the company

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.200
 we keep,

00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.160
 the words we speak,

00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.779
 the benefits

00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.500
 of being slow

00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.879
 to anger,

00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.740
 they all help.

00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.619
 They all help us

00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:47.639
 become less

00:29:47.639 --> 00:29:48.180
 quick-tempered

00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.779
 and more slow

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.099
 to anger.

00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.480
 But you know,

00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.220
 at the end of the day,

00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:53.180
 that's not enough.

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.000
 We need more

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.839
 than just help

00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:58.259
 for our anger.

00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.259
 The reality is

00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.539
 we need healing.

00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.240
 Because you can get

00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.039
 with the right people

00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.019
 and you can keep

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.639
 telling yourself

00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.299
 the right things

00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:07.859
 and you can even

00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.460
 have a vision

00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:08.899
 of what it would

00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:09.639
 all look like

00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.240
 and how glorious

00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.819
 it would be,

00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.339
 but at the end

00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:11.819
 of the day,

00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:12.740
 you and I need

00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.740
 something even deeper

00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.420
 and something

00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.159
 more profound.

00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:18.799
 And this is our third

00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.680
 and our last point.

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:22.000
 What can really

00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.819
 heal our anger?

00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.559
 What will truly

00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.440
 make us

00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.460
 slow to anger?

00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:29.480
 Well, first you have

00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.019
 to admit that you

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.799
 have an anger problem.

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.140
 David Powelson,

00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.079
 a counselor

00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.779
 and an author,

00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.460
 wrote a book

00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.180
 on anger

00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:37.100
 called Good and Angry

00:30:37.100 --> 00:30:37.799
 and I think the second

00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.559
 or third chapter

00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.220
 is called

00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:41.460
 Do I Really Have

00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.120
 an Anger Problem?

00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.759
 Question mark.

00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.360
 And the chapter

00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.400
 is this long.

00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:46.519
 Yes.

00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:47.940
 Chapter done.

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.259
 And you know,

00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:51.720
 now that we've been

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.240
 walking through

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.279
 these verses on anger,

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.460
 we see that our anger

00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.980
 issues are bigger

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.559
 than we thought.

00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.299
 Because the problem

00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.079
 with anger

00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:59.299
 isn't just

00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:00.500
 that we get angry

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.440
 at the wrong things,

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.120
 it's also that we

00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:02.920
 don't get angry

00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.840
 at the right things.

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.259
 Yeah?

00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:08.079
 We can be totally

00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:09.460
 enraged

00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:10.440
 when someone

00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.200
 offends us

00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:13.160
 and in the same moment

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:14.680
 completely indifferent

00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.759
 when we hear

00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.960
 of radical injustice

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.400
 and incredible suffering

00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.319
 happening in the world.

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.940
 But wisdom

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.920
 in anger,

00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:26.160
 doing anger rightly

00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.759
 means that we're

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.580
 slow to anger

00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:28.440
 at the right things

00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.259
 at the right time

00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.080
 in the right way.

00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.680
 But instead,

00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:35.000
 we blow up

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:36.300
 when our kids

00:31:36.300 --> 00:31:37.960
 don't get the playing time

00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:39.600
 we think they deserve.

00:31:41.340 --> 00:31:42.480
 And in the same moment,

00:31:42.540 --> 00:31:43.259
 we could functionally

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.960
 care less

00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.000
 that there are kids

00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.860
 in our own backyard

00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.759
 who barely have enough

00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.200
 to eat.

00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.200
 And friends,

00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.340
 doesn't that show us

00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:52.299
 that something

00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.359
 is deeply,

00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:55.139
 deeply wrong,

00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:57.259
 not just with the world,

00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.639
 but with us.

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.500
 Friends,

00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.079
 if we want to know

00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:05.159
 healing for our anger,

00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.039
 we've got to admit

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.179
 that our hearts

00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:08.740
 are broken,

00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:12.740
 that something's gone wrong

00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.539
 inside of us,

00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:15.279
 that we've turned inward

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.119
 in a kind of

00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:18.359
 God-ignoring selfishness

00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.259
 that pervades

00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.279
 all that we do,

00:32:20.959 --> 00:32:22.899
 which is what the Bible

00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:23.659
 calls sin.

00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:28.199
 And because of that condition,

00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:29.139
 we end up loving

00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.019
 the wrong things

00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.859
 in the wrong way.

00:32:33.959 --> 00:32:35.179
 We said that anger

00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:36.359
 is opposition

00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:38.139
 to that which

00:32:38.139 --> 00:32:39.379
 threatens what we love.

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.619
 Think about it.

00:32:41.639 --> 00:32:42.639
 At the most basic level,

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.539
 when do you get angry?

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:45.720
 When your will

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.299
 is blocked,

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:46.700
 right?

00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.680
 I want something,

00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.859
 something stands in my way

00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.960
 or stops me from getting it

00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.700
 and I get angry.

00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.240
 Example,

00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:54.819
 I want potato chips.

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.319
 My roommate

00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.440
 has eaten

00:32:58.440 --> 00:33:00.259
 all of the potato chips.

00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.259
 I now want

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.079
 to destroy

00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:04.059
 my roommate.

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.599
 In that moment,

00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.680
 you loved the pleasure

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.659
 of eating potato chips

00:33:09.659 --> 00:33:10.359
 that was threatened,

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.119
 even stolen

00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.819
 by your roommate

00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:13.039
 and you got angry.

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:16.119
 Of course,

00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.039
 that's a

00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:19.099
 silly example,

00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.519
 isn't it?

00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:21.240
 But it gets more

00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.039
 subtle than that

00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.240
 and it gets more serious,

00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:23.759
 doesn't it?

00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:25.980
 You're on your way

00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:26.559
 to an important

00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.159
 lunch meeting.

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.740
 You're five minutes away

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:31.299
 but suddenly traffic

00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:32.259
 is at a standstill

00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.460
 and you're not moving

00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:35.180
 and you keep looking

00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:35.740
 at the clock,

00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:36.379
 two minutes,

00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.799
 three minutes,

00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.440
 four minutes go by

00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:41.059
 and you can just feel

00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:41.720
 the anger

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.720
 start to boil.

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.539
 Why?

00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.359
 Because I need to be

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:47.059
 at this lunch meeting

00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:47.619
 on time.

00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:48.940
 Okay,

00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.940
 but why anger?

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.759
 You've been late

00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.819
 to lunch meetings before.

00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.720
 You've been stuck

00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.740
 in traffic before.

00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.339
 No anger.

00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.259
 What's different now?

00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:00.119
 What is it that you love,

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.180
 that you value,

00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.980
 that's being threatened

00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:04.359
 in this moment

00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.779
 and that's igniting

00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.399
 your anger?

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:11.039
 Is it your reputation?

00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.940
 What will my boss,

00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.579
 what will my new

00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.900
 co-workers think of me

00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.680
 if I'm late

00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:17.860
 for this lunch meeting?

00:34:19.720 --> 00:34:20.440
 And then you start

00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.000
 to spin it out,

00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.280
 don't you?

00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:23.019
 I bet I'm the only one

00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.360
 who is dumb enough

00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.300
 to take the highway

00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.280
 to get to this restaurant.

00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.059
 I'm going to show up

00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:28.200
 and look like a total idiot.

00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:28.880
 I'm going to miss

00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.760
 the whole thing.

00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.639
 I'm not going to get

00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:31.099
 the promotion

00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.920
 until you sit in traffic

00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.139
 and you get angry

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:39.099
 because your reputation

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:39.740
 is on the line.

00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.860
 Or maybe it's not

00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:43.820
 your reputation this time,

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.360
 maybe it's your

00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:45.420
 relational status.

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:46.639
 You're on your way

00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.139
 to a date

00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:49.980
 and you're sick

00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:51.680
 of being the single one

00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:52.940
 among all your friends

00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:55.180
 and this stupid traffic

00:34:55.180 --> 00:34:56.099
 is keeping you

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:56.760
 from something

00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.700
 that might actually

00:34:57.700 --> 00:34:58.639
 rescue you

00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.300
 from the hell

00:34:59.300 --> 00:35:00.240
 of your singleness

00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:01.780
 and so you get angry

00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:08.160
 now look,

00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:08.600
 it's okay

00:35:08.600 --> 00:35:09.060
 to want to make

00:35:09.060 --> 00:35:09.680
 a good impression

00:35:09.680 --> 00:35:10.400
 on your boss.

00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.460
 It's okay

00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:12.740
 to want to find a spouse

00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:14.660
 but if those things

00:35:14.660 --> 00:35:15.240
 get threatened

00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:16.720
 and you find yourself

00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:18.519
 boiling with anger

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:20.400
 and you're cutting people

00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.200
 off in traffic

00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:22.320
 and you're yelling

00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:23.519
 obscenities

00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.019
 at the person

00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.560
 in front of you

00:35:24.560 --> 00:35:25.280
 who won't move up

00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.860
 the three inches

00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.600
 that they can possibly

00:35:26.600 --> 00:35:27.140
 move up,

00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:29.180
 you know something

00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:30.019
 has gone haywire.

00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:34.640
 What is it

00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:35.120
 that's going to

00:35:35.120 --> 00:35:36.340
 heal your anger?

00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.560
 What is it

00:35:38.560 --> 00:35:39.480
 that will cool

00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:41.100
 our quick tempered hearts

00:35:41.100 --> 00:35:41.980
 to be truly

00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.140
 and rightly

00:35:43.140 --> 00:35:44.380
 slow to anger?

00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:49.000
 Well Proverbs

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.820
 puts it this way.

00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:51.880
 It says,

00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.840
 the fear of the Lord

00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:54.060
 is the beginning

00:35:54.060 --> 00:35:54.580
 of wisdom.

00:35:57.180 --> 00:35:58.019
 In other words,

00:35:58.100 --> 00:35:58.560
 the beginning,

00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.700
 the wellspring,

00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:00.680
 the source,

00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:01.859
 the foundation

00:36:01.859 --> 00:36:03.440
 of being able

00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:05.379
 to do anger wisely,

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.579
 to be truly

00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.699
 slow to anger

00:36:07.699 --> 00:36:10.960
 is that the Lord

00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:11.879
 has to be the thing

00:36:11.879 --> 00:36:12.579
 you value

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.839
 and cherish

00:36:13.839 --> 00:36:15.059
 and love

00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:16.339
 before and above

00:36:16.339 --> 00:36:17.179
 all else.

00:36:17.339 --> 00:36:18.000
 God has to be

00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:18.579
 bigger

00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.919
 and more precious

00:36:19.919 --> 00:36:20.359
 to you

00:36:20.359 --> 00:36:21.179
 than your reputation

00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:22.019
 and God has to be

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.480
 bigger

00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:23.739
 and more worthy

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:24.199
 to you

00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:25.399
 than your relational status.

00:36:25.799 --> 00:36:26.379
 God has to be

00:36:26.379 --> 00:36:26.980
 the thing

00:36:26.980 --> 00:36:27.739
 around which

00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.659
 everything else

00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:30.139
 orbits in your life.

00:36:30.139 --> 00:36:30.960
 That's what the fear,

00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:31.920
 that's what the awe

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.819
 of the Lord means,

00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:34.859
 that he is the blazing sun

00:36:34.859 --> 00:36:36.259
 and everything else

00:36:36.259 --> 00:36:37.239
 is just stars.

00:36:41.359 --> 00:36:42.579
 And there's only one way

00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.400
 you get that kind

00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:44.139
 of fear of the Lord.

00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.920
 There's only one way

00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:47.639
 you get the fear

00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.079
 of the Lord

00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:49.639
 so deep in your soul

00:36:49.639 --> 00:36:50.559
 that it makes you

00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.460
 slow to anger.

00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:55.679
 It's when you see

00:36:55.679 --> 00:36:56.240
 that he's been

00:36:56.240 --> 00:36:56.900
 slow to anger.

00:36:58.820 --> 00:36:59.659
 And he's been

00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.360
 slow to anger

00:37:00.360 --> 00:37:01.480
 not just theoretically.

00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:03.059
 He's been slow

00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:03.420
 to anger

00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.099
 not just

00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:05.639
 as an abstract

00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:06.400
 attribute

00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.400
 of his divine

00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:08.360
 perfections,

00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:09.619
 but he has been

00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:10.720
 slow to anger

00:37:10.720 --> 00:37:11.860
 with you

00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:13.179
 personally.

00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.099
 Consider it,

00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:18.440
 friends.

00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:21.000
 the God

00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:21.720
 who made you

00:37:21.720 --> 00:37:24.059
 in complete

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:24.679
 freedom

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.760
 without any need,

00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:28.519
 the God

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:29.460
 who upholds you

00:37:29.460 --> 00:37:30.440
 in your existence

00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.519
 every second

00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.900
 of every day,

00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:35.079
 who is the

00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:36.159
 infinite ocean

00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:37.039
 of bliss

00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:38.559
 and the source

00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:39.619
 of all that is good,

00:37:39.740 --> 00:37:40.360
 this God

00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:41.280
 who upholds you

00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:42.280
 in your being

00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:43.420
 every second

00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.440
 of every day

00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:45.440
 deserves your

00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.579
 unrelenting

00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:48.300
 thanks and praise.

00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:50.780
 And yet,

00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:51.440
 we live

00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:53.139
 99%

00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:54.320
 of our lives

00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:55.820
 basically

00:37:55.820 --> 00:37:57.079
 ignoring God.

00:37:59.220 --> 00:37:59.980
 And then,

00:38:00.059 --> 00:38:00.500
 when something

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.200
 goes wrong

00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:02.820
 and doesn't

00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:03.380
 meet our

00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:04.019
 expectations

00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.659
 for how we

00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:05.220
 think our

00:38:05.220 --> 00:38:05.840
 lives should go,

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.240
 we spend

00:38:06.240 --> 00:38:06.579
 the other

00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.300
 1% of our

00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:07.579
 lives

00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:08.480
 blaming God

00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:09.800
 and getting

00:38:09.800 --> 00:38:10.599
 angry at him.

00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:14.639
 Proverbs 19.3

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:14.980
 says,

00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:15.780
 when a man's

00:38:15.780 --> 00:38:16.820
 folly

00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:17.940
 brings his

00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:18.720
 way to ruin,

00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:20.140
 his heart

00:38:20.140 --> 00:38:20.980
 rages

00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:21.940
 against the

00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:22.180
 Lord.

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.200
 Is that

00:38:25.200 --> 00:38:26.019
 not such

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:27.559
 an insightful

00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:29.039
 view of

00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.400
 the human

00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:29.900
 condition?

00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:31.220
 Our

00:38:31.220 --> 00:38:31.760
 folly

00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:32.220
 brings us

00:38:32.220 --> 00:38:32.760
 to ruin

00:38:32.760 --> 00:38:33.440
 and yet

00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:34.120
 we rage

00:38:34.120 --> 00:38:34.840
 against God.

00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:38.320
 And friends,

00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:38.940
 would not

00:38:38.940 --> 00:38:40.340
 our perfectly

00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:41.480
 good and

00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:42.320
 holy God

00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:43.300
 be perfectly

00:38:43.300 --> 00:38:44.019
 just

00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:44.880
 to give

00:38:44.880 --> 00:38:45.139
 us

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:46.019
 exactly

00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:46.759
 what we

00:38:46.759 --> 00:38:47.559
 functionally

00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.300
 ask for

00:38:48.300 --> 00:38:49.199
 every second

00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:49.880
 of every

00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:50.400
 day?

00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:52.960
 To be

00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:53.579
 separated

00:38:53.579 --> 00:38:54.139
 from him

00:38:54.139 --> 00:38:54.840
 forever.

00:38:56.259 --> 00:38:56.960
 Would it

00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:57.340
 not be

00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:57.900
 utterly

00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:58.940
 and perfectly

00:38:58.940 --> 00:38:59.699
 good and

00:38:59.699 --> 00:39:00.139
 just of

00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:00.579
 God to

00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:01.400
 give us

00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:02.059
 what our

00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:02.780
 hard-hearted

00:39:02.780 --> 00:39:03.559
 rebellion

00:39:03.559 --> 00:39:04.360
 against him

00:39:04.360 --> 00:39:04.880
 deserves?

00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:09.739
 And yet,

00:39:10.280 --> 00:39:12.159
 that is not

00:39:12.159 --> 00:39:12.940
 what God

00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:13.359
 does.

00:39:16.359 --> 00:39:16.920
 Instead,

00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:17.599
 God takes

00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.159
 on human

00:39:18.159 --> 00:39:18.699
 flesh for

00:39:18.699 --> 00:39:20.440
 you and

00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.440
 absorbs the

00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.460
 rightful anger

00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.179
 that our

00:39:23.179 --> 00:39:24.119
 sins deserve

00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:25.440
 on a

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.199
 wooden

00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:27.139
 implement

00:39:27.139 --> 00:39:28.019
 of torture.

00:39:29.279 --> 00:39:29.920
 He's

00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:30.599
 mocked

00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.420
 and beaten

00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:32.619
 and torn

00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.500
 to shreds.

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:36.340
 when God

00:39:36.340 --> 00:39:37.440
 was completely

00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:39.199
 just to

00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:40.360
 annihilate me

00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:40.659
 in his

00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:41.079
 anger,

00:39:42.159 --> 00:39:43.139
 he forgives

00:39:43.139 --> 00:39:43.760
 me instead.

00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:46.219
 He doesn't

00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:47.099
 excuse my

00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:47.380
 sin.

00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.179
 He doesn't

00:39:48.179 --> 00:39:48.940
 ignore my

00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:49.199
 sin.

00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:50.300
 He paid

00:39:50.300 --> 00:39:50.820
 for it

00:39:50.820 --> 00:39:51.920
 and forgave

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:52.219
 me.

00:39:54.300 --> 00:39:55.000
 Do you

00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:55.579
 see how

00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:56.000
 God has

00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:56.960
 been infinitely

00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:58.360
 patient with

00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:58.559
 you,

00:39:58.679 --> 00:39:58.960
 friends?

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:00.599
 Infinitely

00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:01.659
 slow to

00:40:01.659 --> 00:40:02.179
 anger

00:40:02.179 --> 00:40:03.039
 when you

00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:03.379
 didn't

00:40:03.379 --> 00:40:03.759
 deserve

00:40:03.759 --> 00:40:04.059
 it.

00:40:07.299 --> 00:40:08.099
 And so

00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.599
 how could

00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:09.339
 this Lord,

00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:10.619
 the Lord

00:40:10.619 --> 00:40:10.919
 Jesus,

00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:12.099
 not be

00:40:12.099 --> 00:40:12.699
 the center

00:40:12.699 --> 00:40:13.179
 of your

00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:13.879
 life now?

00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:17.019
 How could

00:40:17.019 --> 00:40:17.699
 you love

00:40:17.699 --> 00:40:18.539
 or prize

00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:19.379
 or value

00:40:19.379 --> 00:40:20.099
 anything

00:40:20.099 --> 00:40:20.559
 more than

00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:20.899
 him?

00:40:23.659 --> 00:40:24.399
 The one

00:40:24.399 --> 00:40:24.659
 who's been

00:40:24.659 --> 00:40:25.460
 so slow

00:40:25.460 --> 00:40:25.879
 to anger

00:40:25.879 --> 00:40:26.299
 with you

00:40:26.299 --> 00:40:26.779
 and so

00:40:26.779 --> 00:40:27.219
 loving

00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:28.379
 and so

00:40:28.379 --> 00:40:28.859
 kind.

00:40:28.859 --> 00:40:28.980
 And so

00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.000
 kind.

00:40:32.179 --> 00:40:32.599
 And you

00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:32.699
 know,

00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.099
 the more

00:40:33.099 --> 00:40:33.619
 and more

00:40:33.619 --> 00:40:34.559
 Christ

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.139
 takes up

00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:35.699
 residence

00:40:35.699 --> 00:40:36.679
 in our

00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:37.239
 hearts

00:40:37.239 --> 00:40:38.079
 by his

00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:38.519
 spirit,

00:40:38.639 --> 00:40:38.980
 the more

00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:39.279
 and more

00:40:39.279 --> 00:40:39.699
 what Christ

00:40:39.699 --> 00:40:40.099
 has done

00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:40.480
 for us

00:40:40.480 --> 00:40:40.980
 fills

00:40:40.980 --> 00:40:41.480
 our

00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.179
 affections,

00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:42.739
 you know,

00:40:42.779 --> 00:40:43.099
 the more

00:40:43.099 --> 00:40:44.239
 your reputation

00:40:44.239 --> 00:40:45.319
 and the more

00:40:45.319 --> 00:40:45.899
 your relational

00:40:45.899 --> 00:40:46.539
 status,

00:40:46.899 --> 00:40:47.179
 the more

00:40:47.179 --> 00:40:47.879
 your whatever

00:40:47.879 --> 00:40:48.819
 will start

00:40:48.819 --> 00:40:49.179
 to find

00:40:49.179 --> 00:40:49.879
 its rightful

00:40:49.879 --> 00:40:50.859
 place in

00:40:50.859 --> 00:40:51.799
 orbit around

00:40:51.799 --> 00:40:52.139
 him.

00:40:54.219 --> 00:40:54.879
 And when

00:40:54.879 --> 00:40:55.719
 things start

00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.279
 to threaten

00:40:56.279 --> 00:40:57.739
 those peripheral

00:40:57.739 --> 00:40:58.480
 things now,

00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:00.259
 you'll be

00:41:00.259 --> 00:41:00.659
 slow to

00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:00.899
 anger.

00:41:00.900 --> 00:41:02.960
 You may

00:41:02.960 --> 00:41:03.619
 still experience

00:41:03.619 --> 00:41:04.119
 disappointment,

00:41:04.320 --> 00:41:04.639
 you may

00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:05.500
 still experience

00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:06.000
 frustration,

00:41:06.180 --> 00:41:06.360
 yes,

00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:07.300
 but rage,

00:41:07.680 --> 00:41:08.400
 the uncontrolled

00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:09.360
 anger will

00:41:09.360 --> 00:41:10.200
 subside because

00:41:10.200 --> 00:41:11.260
 the one thing

00:41:11.260 --> 00:41:12.340
 that you prize

00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:13.099
 above all

00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:13.500
 else,

00:41:13.780 --> 00:41:14.380
 the love

00:41:14.380 --> 00:41:14.980
 of God

00:41:14.980 --> 00:41:15.639
 in Christ

00:41:15.639 --> 00:41:16.180
 for you

00:41:16.180 --> 00:41:16.980
 can never

00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:17.579
 be threatened.

00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:18.840
 Nothing

00:41:18.840 --> 00:41:20.079
 can touch

00:41:20.079 --> 00:41:20.360
 it.

00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:23.400
 Friends,

00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:23.880
 do you know

00:41:23.880 --> 00:41:24.539
 that love?

00:41:26.160 --> 00:41:26.900
 Is that

00:41:26.900 --> 00:41:27.680
 the burning

00:41:27.680 --> 00:41:28.960
 center of

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.500
 your soul?

00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:30.119
 Do you see

00:41:30.119 --> 00:41:30.500
 how your

00:41:30.500 --> 00:41:30.860
 heavenly

00:41:30.860 --> 00:41:31.400
 father has

00:41:31.400 --> 00:41:31.720
 been so

00:41:31.720 --> 00:41:32.340
 incredibly

00:41:32.340 --> 00:41:33.300
 slow to

00:41:33.300 --> 00:41:33.740
 anger with

00:41:33.740 --> 00:41:34.559
 you and

00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:34.800
 how he

00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:35.559
 continues to

00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:35.900
 be so

00:41:35.900 --> 00:41:36.620
 every moment

00:41:36.620 --> 00:41:37.320
 of every

00:41:37.320 --> 00:41:37.780
 day?

00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:42.079
 And how

00:41:42.079 --> 00:41:42.519
 this love

00:41:42.519 --> 00:41:42.840
 of God

00:41:42.840 --> 00:41:43.220
 in Christ

00:41:43.220 --> 00:41:43.559
 is open

00:41:43.559 --> 00:41:44.300
 for all

00:41:44.300 --> 00:41:45.300
 who will

00:41:45.300 --> 00:41:45.960
 turn from

00:41:45.960 --> 00:41:46.960
 sin and

00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.460
 entrust

00:41:47.460 --> 00:41:48.140
 themselves to

00:41:48.140 --> 00:41:48.480
 Christ.

00:41:48.579 --> 00:41:48.760
 Do you

00:41:48.760 --> 00:41:49.320
 see that?

00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.079
 Do you

00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:51.620
 know that?

00:41:54.940 --> 00:41:55.640
 If so,

00:41:55.720 --> 00:41:55.920
 friends,

00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:56.360
 then let it

00:41:56.360 --> 00:41:56.900
 heal you

00:41:56.900 --> 00:41:57.700
 of your

00:41:57.700 --> 00:41:58.099
 anger.

00:41:58.099 --> 00:41:59.099
 God,

00:41:59.099 --> 00:42:00.339
 let it

00:42:00.339 --> 00:42:00.719
 make us

00:42:00.719 --> 00:42:01.099
 wise.

00:42:02.759 --> 00:42:03.119
 Let's

00:42:03.119 --> 00:42:03.339
 pray.

00:42:03.339 --> 00:42:03.460
 Let's

00:42:03.460 --> 00:42:03.480
 pray.

00:42:10.219 --> 00:42:10.819
 Oh, God,

00:42:10.880 --> 00:42:11.360
 we do pray

00:42:11.360 --> 00:42:11.639
 that you

00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:11.980
 would come

00:42:11.980 --> 00:42:12.380
 now by

00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:12.559
 your

00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:13.019
 spirit,

00:42:13.639 --> 00:42:14.699
 and you

00:42:14.699 --> 00:42:15.199
 would impress

00:42:15.199 --> 00:42:15.719
 upon us

00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:16.179
 the truths

00:42:16.179 --> 00:42:16.500
 of these

00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:18.099
 words that

00:42:18.099 --> 00:42:18.420
 we've been

00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:19.119
 considering from

00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:19.659
 Proverbs,

00:42:20.319 --> 00:42:21.480
 and Lord,

00:42:21.539 --> 00:42:21.759
 that we

00:42:21.759 --> 00:42:22.360
 would see

00:42:22.360 --> 00:42:23.239
 running in

00:42:23.239 --> 00:42:23.579
 and through

00:42:23.579 --> 00:42:24.139
 each one

00:42:24.139 --> 00:42:24.439
 of them

00:42:24.439 --> 00:42:25.000
 the character

00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:25.459
 and the

00:42:25.459 --> 00:42:25.819
 love of

00:42:25.819 --> 00:42:26.179
 our Lord

00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:26.419
 Jesus

00:42:26.419 --> 00:42:27.000
 Christ.

00:42:28.879 --> 00:42:29.439
 God, I

00:42:29.439 --> 00:42:29.979
 pray for

00:42:29.979 --> 00:42:31.019
 those who

00:42:31.019 --> 00:42:31.259
 are here

00:42:31.259 --> 00:42:31.879
 this morning

00:42:31.879 --> 00:42:34.159
 who, like

00:42:34.159 --> 00:42:34.579
 me and

00:42:34.579 --> 00:42:34.959
 like so

00:42:34.959 --> 00:42:35.379
 many, just

00:42:35.379 --> 00:42:35.919
 struggle with

00:42:35.919 --> 00:42:36.339
 anger.

00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:38.579
 God, I

00:42:38.579 --> 00:42:39.219
 pray that by

00:42:39.219 --> 00:42:39.759
 your spirit

00:42:39.759 --> 00:42:40.079
 you would

00:42:40.079 --> 00:42:40.519
 become the

00:42:40.519 --> 00:42:41.399
 blazing sun

00:42:41.399 --> 00:42:41.879
 in the center

00:42:41.879 --> 00:42:42.199
 of our

00:42:42.199 --> 00:42:42.879
 universe once

00:42:42.879 --> 00:42:43.199
 again.

00:42:43.919 --> 00:42:44.219
 Oh, God,

00:42:44.339 --> 00:42:45.039
 flood us

00:42:45.039 --> 00:42:46.599
 with a rich

00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:47.039
 sense of

00:42:47.039 --> 00:42:47.719
 your glory

00:42:47.719 --> 00:42:49.479
 and the way

00:42:49.479 --> 00:42:49.819
 in which you've

00:42:49.819 --> 00:42:50.579
 been so patient

00:42:50.579 --> 00:42:51.299
 and so kind

00:42:51.299 --> 00:42:51.899
 and so slow

00:42:51.899 --> 00:42:52.419
 to anger

00:42:52.419 --> 00:42:52.979
 with us.

00:42:53.239 --> 00:42:55.279
 And God,

00:42:55.339 --> 00:42:55.779
 for those who

00:42:55.779 --> 00:42:56.039
 are here

00:42:56.039 --> 00:42:56.399
 who maybe

00:42:56.399 --> 00:42:56.939
 don't know

00:42:56.939 --> 00:42:57.639
 that love,

00:42:58.219 --> 00:42:58.500
 Lord, for

00:42:58.500 --> 00:42:58.859
 whom it

00:42:58.859 --> 00:42:59.279
 seems like

00:42:59.279 --> 00:42:59.839
 a far-off

00:42:59.839 --> 00:43:00.099
 thing,

00:43:00.219 --> 00:43:01.279
 God, for

00:43:01.279 --> 00:43:01.619
 those who

00:43:01.619 --> 00:43:02.139
 are here

00:43:02.139 --> 00:43:04.479
 and, Lord,

00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:05.019
 would think

00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:05.719
 of that kind

00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:06.239
 of intimate

00:43:06.239 --> 00:43:06.899
 relationship

00:43:06.899 --> 00:43:07.419
 with you

00:43:07.419 --> 00:43:07.899
 as something

00:43:07.899 --> 00:43:08.639
 that seems

00:43:08.639 --> 00:43:10.699
 strange and

00:43:10.699 --> 00:43:11.659
 almost impossible

00:43:11.659 --> 00:43:12.119
 and something

00:43:12.119 --> 00:43:12.419
 they could

00:43:12.419 --> 00:43:13.139
 never attain.

00:43:15.359 --> 00:43:16.019
 Lord, I

00:43:16.019 --> 00:43:16.619
 pray that you

00:43:16.619 --> 00:43:16.979
 would help

00:43:16.979 --> 00:43:17.659
 them to see

00:43:17.659 --> 00:43:20.239
 that you

00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:20.879
 have become

00:43:20.879 --> 00:43:21.479
 the way

00:43:21.479 --> 00:43:22.299
 and the

00:43:22.299 --> 00:43:22.759
 truth

00:43:22.760 --> 00:43:23.500
 and the

00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:23.820
 life

00:43:23.820 --> 00:43:24.060
 and that

00:43:24.060 --> 00:43:24.360
 we can

00:43:24.360 --> 00:43:25.020
 truly come

00:43:25.020 --> 00:43:25.320
 to the

00:43:25.320 --> 00:43:25.580
 Father,

00:43:25.700 --> 00:43:26.020
 Lord Jesus,

00:43:26.160 --> 00:43:26.640
 through you.

00:43:28.140 --> 00:43:28.640
 Oh, God,

00:43:28.680 --> 00:43:29.100
 I pray that

00:43:29.100 --> 00:43:29.300
 you would

00:43:29.300 --> 00:43:29.600
 give them

00:43:29.600 --> 00:43:30.120
 the grace

00:43:30.120 --> 00:43:32.360
 to place

00:43:32.360 --> 00:43:32.820
 their trust

00:43:32.820 --> 00:43:33.180
 in you,

00:43:33.400 --> 00:43:33.720
 to commit

00:43:33.720 --> 00:43:34.220
 their lives

00:43:34.220 --> 00:43:34.660
 to you

00:43:34.660 --> 00:43:35.940
 and so

00:43:35.940 --> 00:43:36.220
 know the

00:43:36.220 --> 00:43:36.620
 peace that

00:43:36.620 --> 00:43:37.000
 you give.

00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:39.320
 God,

00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:39.620
 help us

00:43:39.620 --> 00:43:40.060
 as a church

00:43:40.060 --> 00:43:40.460
 to live

00:43:40.460 --> 00:43:40.720
 in these

00:43:40.720 --> 00:43:40.960
 ways,

00:43:41.060 --> 00:43:41.400
 we pray.

00:43:42.340 --> 00:43:42.620
 In Jesus'

00:43:42.820 --> 00:43:42.960
 name,

00:43:43.180 --> 00:43:43.340
 amen.

00:43:43.480 --> 00:43:48.559
 and

00:43:48.559 --> 00:43:49.039
 sign

00:43:49.039 --> 00:43:51.579
 the

00:43:51.920 --> 00:43:52.240
 gift

00:43:53.079 --> 00:43:53.120
 of

00:43:53.120 --> 00:43:53.579
 who