Anger - A Common Issue

Yesterday in the Auditorium we looked at the topic of Anger as we continued our series on Proverbs. Ray started his message by sharing that a counselor friend of his indicated that anger is one of the common issues that she helps people deal with.   And the feedback we received from yesterday’s message would indicate that it’s an issue that many of us struggle with. And so we opened our hearts up to God and listened for Him to speak to us.

We heard that Anger is mentioned more than five hundred times in Scripture; the only emotion more common in the Bible is Love.

We also looked at the “Degrees of Anger”

Irritation or annoyance

Indignation

Wrath

Rage

Ray pointed out that anger can last a few seconds…or it can last a lifetime. And long lasting anger turns into hostility, resentment and bitterness. And he also challenged us to recognize anger in ourselves, recognize the “triggers” that get us started down the wrong road…and choose how to respond to and express any anger.

Finally, we looked at the difference between responding (under control) or reacting (out of control).  

Ray will bring this message on Anger this coming Sunday in the Chapel at 11:00. Yesterday Pastor Brian brought the Chapel message where the topic was Laziness.

(Both messages should be accessible on the web later today or tomorrow.)

Churning Butter and Twisting Noses

This is the title of Pastor Ray’s message this Sunday (in the Auditorium) as we continue our study of the book of Proverbs.  So far we’ve  covered the topics of Pride and Laziness…this week’s topic is Anger.

We’ll see that anger is a God-given emotion (God gets angry, Jesus gets angry, godly people get angry).  We’ll then talk about Personal Anger (recognize our triggers and how we choose to respond to and express our anger).  We’ll close by looking at Anger In Others.  

Pastor Brian brings the message in the Chapel at 11:00 – “A Biblical Work Ethic”.  We’ll look at the work pattern that God has established, and then look to discover “our present task.” 

SUNDAY SERVICES

8:00 Service in the Auditorium

Praise and Worship:  Rejoice the Lord is King…Jesus, What a Friend For Sinners….What a Friend We Have In Jesus…Savior Again To Thy Dear Name

Message:  Churning Butter and Twisting Noses

9:30 and 11:00 Services in the Auditorium

Praise and Worship:  Father, Spirit, Jesus….Promises…Sing, Sing, Sing…Your Love Oh Lord…You Never Let Go

Message:  Churning Butter and Twisting Noses

11:00 Service in the Chapel

Praise and Worship:  There is Power in the Blood….Grace Greater Than Our Sin…My Hope is Built…Cleanse Me

Message:  A Biblical Work Ethic

Note: The PromisedLand Quartet will be in concert  in the Auditorium on Sunday evening.  Doors open at 5pm, concert begins at 6pm.

A Biblical Work Ethic

By now we know that the book of Proverbs provides practical instructions that help us to live skillfully, making wise decisions in different areas of life.  We’re two weeks into the topical portion of this series and you may be noticing a pattern.   When it comes to the choices we make, there is always a foolish choice (folly) and a wise alternative (wisdom).  Last week there was Pride (folly) and Humility (wisdom).  

Yesterday Pastor Brian was given the topic of Laziness (folly) but also spent considerable time talking about a Biblical work ethic (wisdom).  

Brian said, “This work ethic doesn’t come from philosophies of political or economic systems.  It comes from our Creator.”  We saw that God designed work, and that He established a work pattern  (He created the seven-day week for us to give us a pattern for work and for rest). 

We were challenged to know our task and then stick with it.  Here’s how Brian put it: 

“What is your present task?  That’s a different question than asking, “Where do you work?”  For a good number of you, your present task will indeed be your present place of employment, whether you’re working for yourself, or you’re working for someone else.  For those of you who are unemployed or under-employed, you may not technically “have a job” right now.  But you still have a task you must work at. 

And, spiritually speaking, here’s why you need to identify your present task and why you need to stick to it.  If you don’t, you’ll lose your focus, and you’ll soon develop a state of mind that results in laziness.  You’ll begin to brood over your situation instead of trusting the Lord to help.  You’ll grow apathetic.”

As you know, the message that is delivered in the Chapel service at 11:00 is a repeat of the previous week’s sermon in the Auditorium, and so Pastor Bill brought the message (I’m King of the World!) on Pride.  This coming Sunday Brian will preach the message on Laziness at the 11:00 Chapel service.  Pastor Ray will be in the Auditorium this coming Sunday and our third topic will be Anger.  

Note: The Bell Choir (pictured) played for the final time until Fall, bringing Special Music at the 11:00 service in the Chapel.