Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (ESV)25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Sermon OutlineProcessing anger (v26) within the context of the Christian life means we don’t need to be ruled by our anger or act on it in ways that are harmful.

1. Be Angry

2. Do Not Sin

3. v27 “give no opportunity to the devil”

4. Do Not Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger

Prayer of ConfessionAlmighty and most merciful Father, you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Forgive us. We have failed to trust you and walk in your ways. We have made you and others angry by our misdeeds. Much of our anger is because of our own sin. There have been times we were right to be angry but wrong in how we acted. We marvel at your love and patience. We thank that you don’t treat us as our sins deserve, and that your steadfast love changes us. Help us to live worthy of the calling to which we have been called. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

1. How comfortable are you with anger (your own, or engaging people who are angry)? Should anger be avoided? Utilized?
2. What are some examples of anger that is just, good, important? What are examples of anger that is problematic?
3. Why is anger dangerous? What kinds of things can go wrong when we are angry?
4. How do we get stuck in anger? In what ways does it become progressively harder to let go of anger over time? As it takes root in our lives, what other problems do we have to deal with?
5. How is God’s anger an aspect of God’s love? What are some implications of His being slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love?
6. Jesus loved us by going to the cross. How does this make it possible for sinners to receive God’s love? How can those who believe in Jesus find genuine help with their anger from him?
7. What can you do to process your anger? What priorities do you need to make for your prayer life? What person can you interact with to help you sort through an issue that involves anger?
8. How can you utilize the question “what am I defending?” to understand what you are experiencing and what the wisest next steps are?
9. How can you be more shaped by what Jesus has done for you than by what anyone else has done for/to you? What are some ways the whole of your life can be reformed by deepening in life in Christ?