Sermon:The anger of God

WHAT IS ANGER?

Anger is an expression of displeasure over someone's actions or mistakes or decisions in a hostile manner or less aggressive forms.

Anger is a strong emotional response to a perceived wrong or injustice.

 It involves a range of reactions from frustration to rage and can manifest in both physical and emotional ways.

Anger often affects both the body (e.g., increased heart rate, tense muscles) and the mind (e.g., negative thoughts, irritability).

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUMAN ANGER AND DIVINE ANGER 

◇Human anger can often be sinful, driven by selfishness,pride or unchecked emotions.Human anger can lead to sin, particularly when it is self-serving or unjust.It can be impulsive and driven by a lack of control, which leads to destructive outcomes.

-Ephesians 4:26,"Be angry,and do not sin."

- James 1:20,"For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

◇Divine anger is always just and righteous.In Scripture, God's anger is often portrayed as a response to human sinfulness, idolatry, or oppression, but it is always tempered by His mercy and the desire for repentance and reconciliation.

ANGER TRIGGERS IN OUR DAILY LIFE

○Fear:When people feel threatened or unsafe, they may react with anger as a defensive response to regain control or protect themselves.

○Stress:Prolonged or overwhelming stress can cause frustration and irritability, which may eventually turn into anger.

○Sadness:Sometimes, people may turn sadness into anger as a defense mechanism or because of feelings of helplessness.

○Past trauma:Trauma, especially when it is triggered by current events, can bring up strong emotions, including anger, due to the pain and unresolved feelings tied to the past.

○Anxiety:Anxiety often involves feeling out of control, which may lead to frustration and anger, especially if someone feels unable to cope with overwhelming situations.

○Boredom:When people feel bored, they may become restless or irritated, and this can manifest as anger, particularly if they feel trapped in an unfulfilling situation.

○Disobedience:People may become angry when others do not follow expected behavior, especially in structured environments like the workplace or home.

○Ethnic or racial differences: Ethnic or racial differences, if linked to prejudice, discrimination, or injustice, can indeed trigger anger.Anger may arise when someone feels marginalized or mistreated because of these differences.

○Injustice:(Perceived unfairness or mistreatment):When people feel they have been wronged, mistreated, or denied justice, it often leads to anger.

○Broken Relationships:Conflicts in relationships (family, friends, coworkers)can provoke intense anger, especially if feelings of betrayal, misunderstanding, or hurt are involved.

○Unmet Expectations: Disappointment due to unmet personal desires can lead to anger. When people expect something to happen and it doesn’t, they can feel disappointed, which often leads to frustration and anger.

○Frustration: When things don’t go as expected, especially after investing time or effort, it can lead to feelings of helplessness, which can turn into anger.

REASONS WHY GOD GETS ANGRY

●Idolatry:Worshipping false gods provokes God’s anger, as He alone is worthy of worship.(Exodus 32:7-10)

-Exodus 32:10,"Now therefore,let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them.."

The Lord commanded us not to carve images,bow down to them nor serve them(Exodus 20:4-5)

-Exodus 20:4-5,"You shall not make for yourself a carved image....you shall not bow down to them nor serve them."

●When we complain against the Lord.

-Number 11:1,"Now,when the people complained,it displeased the Lord;for the Lord heard it,and His anger was aroused."

●Offering sacrifices to idols on altars and making shrines(1 Kings 12:28-33)

-1 Kings 12:33,"So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel.."

●Turning the house of God into a marketplace.

-Matthew 21:12,"Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple..."

●Practising witchcraft and soothsaying.

-2 kings 17:17,"And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire,practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord,to provoke Him to anger."

●Discouraging others to go against the Lord's command.

-Num 32:9-10,"For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol and saw the land,they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel,so that they did not go into the land which the Lord had given them.So the Lord's anger was aroused on that day.."

●Wickedness provokes the Lord to anger.

-2 Kings 17:10,"And they did wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger."

●Rejection of God’s laws and rebellion brings His anger because He desires obedience for our good.

-Deuteronomy 9:7-10,"Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness....."

●Unbelief:Refusing to acknowledge God’s power and truth causes His righteous anger.

-Romans 1:18,"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."

●Hypocrisy: Those who outwardly appear righteous but live in sin provoke God’s anger.

-Matthew 23:28,"Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men,but inside you are full of Hypocrisy and lawlessness. "

●Pride:God opposes the proud because pride leads to self-reliance instead of dependence on Him.

-Proverbs 16:18,"Pride goes before destruction..."

●Rebellion and Stubbornness: Persistent rebellion against God’s will leads to His anger.

-Psalm 78:40,"How often they provoked Him in the wilderness,and grieved Him in the desert."

●Blasphemy:Speaking irreverently about God brings His anger.

-Leviticus 24:16,"And whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death."

●Corruption in Leadership: God’s anger is stirred when leaders mislead His people.

-Jeremiah 23:1-2,"Woe to the shepherd who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" says the Lord.......Behold I will attend to you for the evil of your doings.."

●Wickedness and Immorality: Engaging in sinful behavior that defies God's moral standards incites His wrath.

-Romans 1:24-28,"Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness,in the lust of their hearts,to dishonor their bodies among themselves......"

EXAMPLES OF DIVINE ANGER

●Jesus’ anger when He drove out all who bought and sold in the temple;And poured out  the money changers' money and overturned the tables.This anger was a righteous response to the desecration of God’s holy place.

- Matthew 21:12-13,"Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple,and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves......"

 -John 2:15,"When He had made a whip of cords,He drove them all out of the temple,with the sheep and the oxen,and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables."

● God's consuming wrath sent to overthrow those who rose up against Him.

- Exodus 15:7,"You have overthrown those who rose against you;you sent forth your wrath;it consumed them like stubble."

●The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstone and fire

-Genesis 19:24,"Then the Lord rained brimstone  and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah,from the Lord out of the heavens."

●The defeat of Pharaoh and the army of the Egyptians.(Exodus 14)

-Exodus 14:27b,"So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea."

●The profane fire of Nadab and Abihu.

-Leviticus 10:1-2,"Then Nadab and Abihu,the sons of Aaron,each took his censer and put fire in it,put incense on it,and offered profane fire before the Lord....So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them..."

 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD GETS ANGRY?

▪︎The anger of the Lord destroys.

-Deut 9:8,"Also in Horeb you provoked the Lord to wrath,so that the Lord was angry enough with you to have destroyed you."

▪︎The anger of the Lord burns hot and consumes.

-Exodus 32:10,"Now therefore,let Me alone ,that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them.

▪︎When God gets angry,He consumes.

-Exodus 15:7,"You have overthrown those who rose against you;you sent forth your wrath;it consumed them like stubble."

-Job 4:9,"By the blast of God they perish,And by the breath of His anger they are consumed."

▪︎When God's anger is aroused,it burns like fire and consumes.

-Numbers 11:1,"Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord;for the Lord heard it,and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them,and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp."

▪︎When God gets angry,He destroys strongholds.

-Lam 2:2,"He has thrown down in His wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah."

▪︎The anger of the Lord brings judgement.

-Ezekiel 7:8,"Now upon you i will soon pour out my fury,And spend my anger upon you; I will judge you according to your ways."

▪︎The anger of the Lord devours.

-Lam 2:3,"He has cut off in fierce anger every horn of Israel.....He has blazed against Jacob like a flaming fire devouring all around."

▪︎When God gets angry,He will deliver you into the hand of your enemies.

-2 Kings 13:3,"Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel,and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria,and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael,all their days."

▪︎When God gets angry,He destroys utterly.

-2 Kings 17:18,"Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel,and removed them from His sight;there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone."

▪︎When God gets angry,He forsakes his children and hides His face from them.

-Deut 31:17,"Then my anger shall be aroused against them in that day,and I will forsake them,and I will hide my face from them."

▪︎When God gets angry,He can wipe off an entire generation.

-Numbers 32:13,"So the Lord's anger was aroused against Israel,and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years,until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone."

▪︎When God gets angry,you become disgusting to Him and He hates you.

-Psalm 78:59,"When God heard this,He was furious,and greatly abhorred Israel."

-Psalm 89:38,"But you have cast off and abhorred,you have been furious with your anointed."

▪︎When God gets angry,He becomes violent and destructive. eg.,God's judgment led to the destruction of Jerusalem, the interruption of worship, and the rejection of the leaders who failed to guide the people rightly.

-Lam 2:6,"He has done violence to His tabernacle,as if it were a garden;He has destroyed His place of assembly....In His burning indignation He has spurned the king and the priest."

▪︎Judgment and wrath: God's anger can result in His judgment upon nations or individuals who persist in sin.

-Romans 1:18,"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."

GOD'S ANGER AND HIS LOVE

▪︎Divine anger stems from His perfect love and justice.

 -Romans 5:9,“Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him?”

▪︎God’s anger protects His people:God’s anger against sin is a protective measure, safeguarding His people from harm, falsehood, and destruction.

 -John 3:36,“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

 ▪︎Divine Discipline:God’s anger leads to discipline, which is meant to correct and restore. 

-Hebrews 12:6,"For whom the Lord loves He chastens,and scourges every son whom He receives."

▪︎Mercy and Grace:Even when God is angry, He is still merciful, offering opportunities for repentance.

-Joel 2:13,"Return to the Lord your God,For He is gracious and merciful,slow to anger,and of great kindness;And He relents from doing harm."

▪︎God’s anger is often delayed as He desires people to repent.

-Jonah 4:2,"You are a gracious and merciful God,slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness,one who relents from doing harm."

GOD'S ANGER IN THE END TIMES

▪︎The Great Day of the Lord: A future event when God's anger will  be fully revealed and poured out on all unrepentant sinners.

-Revelation 19:15,“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword,that with it He should strike the nations.And He himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and the wrath of Almighty God.”

▪︎The wrath of God will be fully revealed in the final judgment.

-Revelation 6:16-17,"And said to the mountains and rocks,"Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb:For the great day of His wrath has come,and who is able to stand?

HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD'S ANGER

▪︎A Call to Holy Living: As believers, we are called to respond to God's anger by living righteous lives. We must avoid provoking God through sin and remain faithful to His word.

-Ephesians 4:26-27,“Be angry,and do not sin": Do not let the sun go down on your wrath,nor give place to the devil."

▪︎Reflecting God’s Character:Christians 

are called to reflect God's justice and righteousness, balancing love and discipline in their relationships with others.

▪︎Pursuing Reconciliation: We are also called to reconcile with God and others, demonstrating the transformative power of forgiveness that comes through Jesus.

-Romans 12:19,“Beloved,do not avenge yourselves,but rather give place to wrath;for it is written,"Vengeance is mine,I will repay,"says the Lord."

CONCLUSION 

Although we live under God's grace, His wrath remains a reality for those who refuse to repent. Despite His anger, God always offers a path of escape through repentance. His deepest desire is for people to turn away from sin, seek His forgiveness, and receive His mercy.

  

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE 

Heavenly Father,I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging the ways I have angered You through my thoughts, words, and actions. I confess my sins and recognize that I have fallen short of Your glory. I have often been disobedient, acted in selfishness, and ignored Your commands, which have provoked Your righteous anger.Lord,i turn from my sin and ask for Your cleansing power to purify my heart. Please forgive me for the times I have hurt You and others, and help me to live in a way that pleases You.In Jesus' name, Amen.

PRAYERS

1.Heavenly father,I cry out for mercy today. Forgive me,if i have ever provoked you to anger,disobeyed you or departed from your ways. In your wrath,show mercy and save me from the consequences of my actions,my sins and my mistakes.In Jesus' name.

2.Lord, help me to understand Your anger and how it reflects Your holiness and justice. Teach me to be slow to anger and quick to repent when i fail to honor You.In Jesus' name.

3.Father,i come before You acknowledging my sins. Forgive me for the times i have provoked Your anger through disobedience, pride, and rebellion. Cleanse me and lead me back to You.In Jesus' name. 

  

4.God of mercy, i ask that You would be merciful to me and withhold Your judgment as i turn my heart toward You. Help me to walk in Your ways, and may Your anger be a reminder of the seriousness of my sin.In Jesus' name.

  

5.Lord, help me to remain humble before You, recognizing that Your anger is a reflection of Your righteousness and holiness. Transform my heart so that i can live in a way that honors You and brings joy to Your heart.In Jesus' name.

6.Lord, forgive me for my stubbornness and disobedience. Help me to turn away from actions that grieve Your Spirit, and teach me to live in humility and faithfulness, so I may avoid causing You sorrow.In Jesus' name.

7.Almighty God,I confess the anger that has risen in my heart, and I ask You to deliver me from it. Help me to choose patience, mercy, and gentleness in my relationships, reflecting Your love instead of my own frustrations. In Jesus’ name.

8.Lord,I ask that You would show me Your mercy and patience, that I may avoid inciting Your wrath through my actions. May I walk in Your truth and seek peace, so that Your anger would not be directed at me, but Your love and favor would guide me. In Jesus' name.

9. Father,I recognize the danger of allowing anger to control me. Help me to control my emotions, and teach me to rely on Your wisdom, instead of letting destructive anger take root in my heart.In Jesus’ name.

10.Lord God, I come before You, recognizing that complaining and frustration can lead to anger that stirs Your wrath. Forgive me for the times I have murmured or allowed bitterness to grow in my heart. Teach me to trust in Your provision and seek peace in every situation, that I may avoid provoking Your anger. In Jesus' name.

11.God of mercy,I acknowledge the consequences of sin and the anger it stirs in Your heart. Help me to turn from sin and to seek Your mercy, that I may avoid bringing upon myself the judgment You justly bring against sin.In Jesus' name.

12.Sovereign Lord,I know that You are righteous in Your judgment. I ask You to spare me from the consequences of my anger and sinful actions. Purify my heart and mind, and help me to live in a way that honors You. Keep me from provoking Your anger, and instead, fill me with a spirit of reconciliation and peace. In Jesus’ name.

13. Lord, I seek Your mercy, knowing that Your anger is just and true. Help me to break free from the cycle of anger and rebellion that leads to destruction. Teach me to turn to You in repentance, rather than following my own desires.In Jesus' name.

14. Father,I recognize the severity of Your anger against disobedience. I do not want to provoke Your wrath, but rather, I desire to follow Your commands faithfully. Help me to live in a way that pleases You, reflecting Your holiness and justice in my life. In Jesus' name.

15.Heavenly Father,I know that when I turn away from You, I stir Your anger. I ask for Your forgiveness and pray that You would strengthen me to remain faithful to You. Help me to walk in obedience, and protect me from the temptation to fall into sin.In Jesus’ name.

16.Lord,I acknowledge that sin and anger can lead to separation from Your presence. I repent for the times I have allowed anger to control me and caused division. Help me to trust in Your guidance and walk in humility, so that I may avoid provoking Your wrath and live in harmony with others. In Jesus’ name.

17. Almighty God,I come before You with a repentant heart, knowing that my actions and words can provoke Your anger. Forgive me for the times I have been unfaithful and have caused You sorrow. Help me to learn from my mistakes and seek peace, so that I do not stir Your wrath.In Jesus' name.

18.Father,I am aware that my sin can provoke Your anger, but I also know that Your mercy is abundant. I ask for Your forgiveness and help me to live according to Your will. Keep me from falling into sin, and help me to walk humbly before You, so that I may avoid invoking Your wrath.In Jesus’ name.

19.Lord,I recognize that my disobedience can lead to consequences. I repent for the ways I have provoked You through sin. Please forgive me and guide me to live a life that pleases You. Help me to seek reconciliation and peace, so that I may avoid invoking Your judgment. In Jesus' name.

20. Sovereign Lord, I pray that You would cleanse me from the anger in my heart and help me to walk in Your ways. Protect me from the temptation to provoke Your wrath, and teach me to live in the light of Your holiness.In Jesus’ name. 

May the  God of peace, who is slow to anger and abounding in love, be with you all as you walk in His ways. Amen.