Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Mike explores the concept of righteous anger through the lens of Jesus' actions in the temple. He distinguishes between human rage and Jesus' 'salty anger' - anger that purifies, heals, and preserves rather than destroys. The sermon focuses on Jesus clearing the temple of money changers, showing how His anger was directed at corruption that distracted from worship. Unlike our often petty or selfish anger, Jesus' anger came from a place of love and a desire for correction. Pastor Mike challenges the congregation to be angry about the right things, to be open to correction, and to use anger as a catalyst for positive change rather than destruction.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss the nature of righteous anger, we ask that You would quiet our hearts and open our minds to Your truth. Help us to see anger through Your eyes rather than our own limited perspective. Give us the humility to recognize where our own anger has been misplaced or destructive, and the wisdom to understand how You would have us respond to injustice and corruption in our world. Guide our conversation today, that we might grow closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker

What's something small or trivial that irritates you way more than it probably should?

Key Verses

1. Mark 11:15-17
2. Proverbs 27:6
3. Matthew 7:3
4. Mark 9:50

Questions

1. How do you typically respond when you feel angry? Do you tend to express it, suppress it, or something else?
2. Pastor Mike describes Jesus' anger as 'salty' - purifying, healing, and preserving. How is this different from the anger we usually experience or witness?
3. When Jesus cleared the temple, He was angry about corruption that distracted from worship. What things in our churches today might distract from true worship?
4. The sermon mentions that Christians are often 'known more for what we hate than what we love.' Why do you think this is, and how might we change this perception?
5. How do you feel about the idea of confronting fellow believers about sin in their lives? What makes this difficult, and how can we do it in a way that reflects Jesus' love?
6. Pastor Mike suggests that we should 'be angry about the right things.' What issues or injustices do you think should provoke righteous anger in Christians today?
7. The sermon points out that the church has historically been racially divided. How have you seen this division, and what steps could we take toward greater unity?
8. How can we distinguish between selfish anger and righteous anger in our own lives? What questions should we ask ourselves when we feel angry?

Life Application

This week, take two specific actions related to anger. First, ask someone you trust to point out an area where you could grow or improve, and practice receiving that feedback with humility rather than defensiveness. Second, identify one issue that should provoke righteous anger - something that matters to God's heart like injustice, corruption, or hypocrisy - and take one concrete step toward addressing it. This might be educating yourself further, having a difficult conversation, volunteering, or advocating for change. Remember that Jesus' anger wasn't just emotional; it led to action that brought correction and healing.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus' anger was different from human rage - it purified rather than destroyed, and it came from a place of love and righteousness.
2. Righteous anger addresses corruption, injustice, hypocrisy, and lack of faith, and leads to positive change rather than destruction.
3. Christians are called to both give and receive correction from a place of love - this is how 'iron sharpens iron.'
4. The church should be proactive in confronting wrongs, both within itself and in society, with a commitment to truth and justice.
5. We should examine our anger to ensure we're angry about the right things - the things that would anger God - rather than trivial matters.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what righteous anger looks like - anger that flows from love and leads to healing and restoration. Forgive us for the times we've been angry about trivial things while remaining silent about the injustices that break Your heart. Help us to examine our hearts and purify our passions. Give us courage to speak truth in love, to receive correction with humility, and to be agents of positive change in our churches and communities. May our anger, like salt, preserve what is good, heal what is wounded, and bring flavor to a bland world. Make us more like You in how we respond to the brokenness around us. In Your holy name we pray, amen.