Anger | Matthew 5:21–26 | Sermon on the Mount
July 6, 2026 · 54m
What does it mean to follow Jesus in an age of rage? In this message from our series in the Gospel of Matthew, we slow down in the Sermon on the Mount to hear Jesus’ first “greater righteousness” test: how we deal with anger and broken relationships.
Building on the Beatitudes and the call to be salt and light, we look at Matthew 5:21–26 and explore how Jesus goes behind the command “Do not murder” to the hidden interior world of our motives, emotions, and words. The issue isn’t just what we do with our hands, but what we harbor in our hearts.
From Isaiah 61 to Ephesians 4 and James 1, we see that Jesus intends to turn former prisoners into oaks of righteousness—people whose transformed lives display the splendor of God in a culture discipled by outrage. In a world with no “governor” on anger, Jesus invites us into a new way: slow to anger, quick to listen, quick to reconcile.
In this message, we explore:
Greater Righteousness – Why the first visible fruit of a transformed life is how we handle anger (Matthew 5:20–22; Matthew 7:16–20)
Anger vs. Sin – How it’s possible to be angry and not sin, and what distinguishes redemptive anger from destructive anger (Ephesians 4:26–27)
Name-Calling & Contempt – Why “Raca”/“you fool” reveals a deeper heart issue than we think, and how contempt dehumanizes image-bearers
God’s “Long Nose” – The biblical picture of God as “slow to anger” and what it means for us to develop a long fuse in a short-tempered age (Exodus 34:6)
Two Urgent Pictures of Reconciliation – Leaving your gift at the altar and settling matters on the way to court (Matthew 5:23–26)
Leaving Room for God – Why we must refuse revenge, release people to God’s justice, and refuse to give the devil a foothold (Romans 12:17–21; Ephesians 4:26–27)
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 5:21–26 – Anger, insult, and reconciliation
Isaiah 61 – From ashes to “oaks of righteousness”
Ephesians 4:22–27 – Put off the old self; in your anger do not sin
James 1:19–20 – Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry
Exodus 34:6 – The Lord, compassionate and slow to anger
Questions for reflection:
Where has anger moved from concern for what’s right to contempt for a person?
Is there anyone you need to pursue for reconciliation—someone you need to repent to or forgive?
What would it look like, practically, to become “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry” this week?
If this message helps you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who is wrestling with anger, bitterness, or relational brokenness.
May Jesus form us into oaks of righteousness who display His splendor—especially in how we handle anger, hurt, and conflict.
To CONNECT with our church, submit a PRAYER REQUEST, download FREE encouraging material, GIVE to this ministry or FOLLOW US on social media, click the link below!
https://linktr.ee/radiantcentralcoast
Building on the Beatitudes and the call to be salt and light, we look at Matthew 5:21–26 and explore how Jesus goes behind the command “Do not murder” to the hidden interior world of our motives, emotions, and words. The issue isn’t just what we do with our hands, but what we harbor in our hearts.
From Isaiah 61 to Ephesians 4 and James 1, we see that Jesus intends to turn former prisoners into oaks of righteousness—people whose transformed lives display the splendor of God in a culture discipled by outrage. In a world with no “governor” on anger, Jesus invites us into a new way: slow to anger, quick to listen, quick to reconcile.
In this message, we explore:
Greater Righteousness – Why the first visible fruit of a transformed life is how we handle anger (Matthew 5:20–22; Matthew 7:16–20)
Anger vs. Sin – How it’s possible to be angry and not sin, and what distinguishes redemptive anger from destructive anger (Ephesians 4:26–27)
Name-Calling & Contempt – Why “Raca”/“you fool” reveals a deeper heart issue than we think, and how contempt dehumanizes image-bearers
God’s “Long Nose” – The biblical picture of God as “slow to anger” and what it means for us to develop a long fuse in a short-tempered age (Exodus 34:6)
Two Urgent Pictures of Reconciliation – Leaving your gift at the altar and settling matters on the way to court (Matthew 5:23–26)
Leaving Room for God – Why we must refuse revenge, release people to God’s justice, and refuse to give the devil a foothold (Romans 12:17–21; Ephesians 4:26–27)
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 5:21–26 – Anger, insult, and reconciliation
Isaiah 61 – From ashes to “oaks of righteousness”
Ephesians 4:22–27 – Put off the old self; in your anger do not sin
James 1:19–20 – Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry
Exodus 34:6 – The Lord, compassionate and slow to anger
Questions for reflection:
Where has anger moved from concern for what’s right to contempt for a person?
Is there anyone you need to pursue for reconciliation—someone you need to repent to or forgive?
What would it look like, practically, to become “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry” this week?
If this message helps you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who is wrestling with anger, bitterness, or relational brokenness.
May Jesus form us into oaks of righteousness who display His splendor—especially in how we handle anger, hurt, and conflict.
To CONNECT with our church, submit a PRAYER REQUEST, download FREE encouraging material, GIVE to this ministry or FOLLOW US on social media, click the link below!
https://linktr.ee/radiantcentralcoast
