Transforming Anger into Joy Through Surrender to Jesus
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor sharing a powerful testimony of a life transformed by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to Jesus and receiving His forgiveness. The pastor then delves into the wisdom of God's presence and protection, using Psalm 46 as a guide. The pastor asks the congregation to consider what type of river runs within the city of their soul and who sits at the throne of their heart. The sermon highlights the significance of having something deep inside to protect oneself from automatically reacting negatively, especially in moments of chaos or disagreement.
The pastor then shares a story about a man who encountered Jesus and experienced a transformation in his life. The man describes his life before Jesus as being colorblind, but after encountering Jesus, everything became vibrant and beautiful. The pastor emphasizes that if God can remove anger and hatred from the heart of a terrorist, then He can also remove anger and bring peace to anyone's heart. The pastor encourages the congregation to spend time with Jesus and allow Him to work on the issues in their hearts, bringing peace and joy into their lives.
The pastor continues by discussing the transformative power of surrendering one's life to God. The pastor explains that when we surrender to God, He will change us and mold us according to His will. The pastor shares a powerful story of a man named Ain Javid, who was a former soldier with the terrorist group Hezbollah. Despite his past filled with rage and hatred, God changed his heart and forgave him, revealing Himself as the way, the truth, and the life.
The pastor then discusses three ways to overcome anger and reactions. The first way is to practice self-control by counting to 10 before reacting. The second way to overcome anger is through the wisdom of God's plan. The pastor encourages the congregation to be still and know that God is in control, offering this as a battle plan for dealing with anger. The pastor emphasizes that God does not want us to be held hostage by our anger and emotions, but rather to live a life free from hurting others.
The sermon concludes by discussing the destructive power of unchecked anger, referencing the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis chapter 4. The pastor acknowledges that many relationships may be strained due to unchecked anger. The pastor suggests bringing in a source of joy to control anger, encouraging the congregation to cultivate a "river of joy" in their lives so that when they get bumped, joy rather than anger will come out.
Key Takeaways:
- The pastor emphasizes the transformative power of surrendering one's life to Jesus, sharing a powerful testimony of a life transformed by Jesus. The pastor encourages the congregation to spend time with Jesus and allow Him to work on the issues in their hearts, bringing peace and joy into their lives. [12:45]
- The pastor discusses the wisdom of God's presence and protection, using Psalm 46 as a guide. The pastor asks the congregation to consider what type of river runs within the city of their soul and who sits at the throne of their heart. The pastor highlights the significance of having something deep inside to protect oneself from automatically reacting negatively. [24:30]
- The pastor shares a powerful story of a man named Ain Javid, who was a former soldier with the terrorist group Hezbollah. Despite his past filled with rage and hatred, God changed his heart and forgave him, revealing Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. This story serves as a testament to the transformative power of God's love and forgiveness. [36:15]
- The pastor discusses three ways to overcome anger and reactions. The first way is to practice self-control by counting to 10 before reacting. The second way to overcome anger is through the wisdom of God's plan. The pastor encourages the congregation to be still and know that God is in control, offering this as a battle plan for dealing with anger. [48:00]
- The pastor discusses the destructive power of unchecked anger, referencing the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis chapter 4. The pastor suggests bringing in a source of joy to control anger, encouraging the congregation to cultivate a "river of joy" in their lives so that when they get bumped, joy rather than anger will come out. This not only improves their own lives but also positively impacts those around them. [59:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 26:21: "As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife."
2. Psalm 46:1-3: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Proverbs 26:21 suggest about the impact of a quarrelsome person on their environment?
2. In Psalm 46:1-3, what are the different elements of nature used to describe the power and protection of God?
3. How does 2 Corinthians 12:9 describe the relationship between human weakness and God's power?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the imagery in Proverbs 26:21 relate to the effects of unchecked anger in one's life?
2. How can the assurance of God's protection in Psalm 46:1-3 help someone in times of chaos or disagreement?
3. In what ways can the message in 2 Corinthians 12:9 be seen as an encouragement to surrender one's life to God?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you reacted in anger. How could the wisdom from Proverbs 26:21 have changed your response?
2. Can you identify a current situation in your life where you need to remember the truth of Psalm 46:1-3? How can you remind yourself of God's presence and protection in this situation?
3. Think of a weakness you struggle with. How can you apply the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9 to boast in this weakness and allow Christ's power to rest on you?
4. Reflect on the story of Ain Javid. How can his transformation inspire you to surrender your struggles to God?
5. What is one practical step you can take this week to cultivate a "river of joy" in your life?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Transformation Through Surrender
When one surrenders their life to Jesus, a powerful transformation occurs. This transformation is not just a change in behavior, but a complete overhaul of the heart and soul. Spending time with Jesus allows Him to work on the issues in the heart, replacing anger and resentment with peace and joy. [12:45]
Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have been holding back from surrendering to Jesus? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 2: The Power of God's Presence and Protection
God's presence and protection are a source of wisdom and strength. It is important to consider what type of river runs within the city of your soul and who sits at the throne of your heart. Having something deep inside can protect you from automatically reacting negatively, especially in moments of chaos or disagreement. [24:30]
Psalm 84:11 - "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
Reflection: What does the river within your soul look like today? How can you invite God to sit at the throne of your heart?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of God's Love and Forgiveness
God's love and forgiveness have the power to transform even the hardest of hearts. This is evident in the story of Ain Javid, a former soldier with the terrorist group Hezbollah. Despite his past filled with rage and hatred, God changed his heart and forgave him, revealing Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. [36:15]
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you begin to extend God's love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 4: Overcoming Anger Through God's Wisdom
Overcoming anger and reactions can be achieved through practicing self-control and understanding God's plan. Being still and knowing that God is in control is a powerful strategy for dealing with anger. God does not want us to be held hostage by our anger and emotions, but rather to live a life free from hurting others. [48:00]
Proverbs 29:11 - "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end."
Reflection: What is one situation that often triggers your anger? How can you apply God's wisdom to handle this situation differently?
Day 5: Cultivating a River of Joy
Unchecked anger can be destructive, straining relationships and causing pain. Instead, cultivating a "river of joy" in your life can help control anger. When you get bumped, let joy rather than anger come out. This not only improves your own life but also positively impacts those around you. [59:30]
Nehemiah 8:10 - "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Reflection: What is one way you can cultivate a "river of joy" in your life today? How can this joy overflow to those around you?
Quotes
"Our true protection, our true strength during threatening times doesn't come from how high our walls are or how fortified our city is, it actually comes from God alone. This is important for you and I to understand because anger typically arises from our fight or flight response to perceived threats." [08:07]
"Ain describes life before Jesus as being colorblind your entire life and then one day because of Jesus, everything is in color. It's then he says that you realize the world is so much more beautiful when Jesus replaces your anger with his love." [33:06]
"Listen friend, if God can remove the anger and hatred from the heart of a terrorist, then God can remove the terror and anger in your heart today. The only person that can remove the anger and bring you peace and safety and calm in your life to your situation today is Jesus." [33:47]
"God doesn't want you to go through life being held hostage to your anger, being held hostage to your emotions." [23:51]
"You and I can trust Jesus to be our source of strength and refuge. Anger rises when you want to take matters into your own hands, when you want to take refuge in your own strength and when you want to fix it in your own power." [12:18]
"In those moments when we trust God, we will not fear. Fear, angst, panic, anxiety, and alarm have no home in your heart when situations outside of your control come knocking at your door." [13:36]
"What type of river runs within the city of your soul? What type of river sits at the Throne of your heart?" #!!16:02!!#
"When you surrender your entire life to him, he will change you, he will begin to mold you, he will turn you into a vessel that now brings honor to his name instead of being a person who leaves a trail of Destruction and dishonor in your own name." #!!29:24!!#
"We shouldn't be surprised when God changes us, why? Because the bible promises that he will. The Bible says, 'I will give you a new heart if you come to me, I will put a new Spirit In You and I will take out that Stony and stubborn and aggressive and angry resentful hate filled heart, I will take it out and remove it and I will put inside of you a new heart, a tender heart, a responsive heart, the kind of heart that I have for people you now will have.'" #!!30:07!!#
"The way to control anger isn't just to simply push it down...you've got to figure out a way to bring in a different source into your life, a source of joy." #!!19:50!!#
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