TUESDAY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MESSAGE LIVE FROM DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH HEADQUARTERS, GBAGADA, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
MESSAGE BY OUR FATHER IN THE LORD, PASTOR W F KUMUYI
TOPIC: DELIVERANCE AND DOMINION OVER ANGER IN LIFE AND MINISTRY
TEXT: NUMBER 20:10-12; PROVERBS 16:32; 25:28 Numbers 20:10-12
- 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
- 11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
- 12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Proverbs 16:32
- He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
ch 25:28
- He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
OPENING REMARK
I welcome everyone to our leadership development session tonight in Jesus name. I pray that the word of God will enrich and transform every life and ministry. You will not labour, preach or serve in vain in Jesus name.
INTRODUCTION
As we look at those verses, we see very clearly that the temper, anger and the contrary action to the word of God of Moses cost him entry into the land of promise. He was angry.
Proverbs 16:32. Despite the might, or physical strength we have, if we don't have control over our temper, it comes to nothing. Something has happened and you are feeling bad about it, and emotion is rising, don't say anything, be slow to anger. Think about the consequences of your anger at that moment. Rule over your spirit, minds and the thoughts coming out of your hearts.
ch 25:28. The enemies will have free access to the life of one who has no control, authority and rule over his spirit and temper.
The message tonight is titled, DELIVERANCE AND DOMINION OVER ANGER IN LIFE AND MINISTRY. As we minister to the people of God, as we help the church and preach the word of God, and tend to the Church like a shepherd, the members are not on the same level - some are unbelievers, some are backsliders, some have some peculiar habits, while others are gentle and nice. The point is, not all members of the Church will act the same way. At times, you may wonder why? Don't ask why, that is why you are there to help them the people become what they ought to be.
Moses should have known, after all, he has been with the people since they came out of Egypt, they have been murmuring and complaining, he should have known that that was how they were and not allow their character, rebellion and his chiding of them to push him to do or say anything contrary.
In our personal lives, between wife and husband, parents and children, in-laws and everybody, you have lived together for months and already known the character and weaknesses of your spouse, getting angry is not good and unnecessary. In your place of work, you know the behaviors and tendencies of the people you are working with. Same within the neighborhood, you know the way people are and what normally happens, study that and make sure that all things that will infuriate and promote anger, things that will make you step over, do and say things that are not right, you overcome them.
A. THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE OF THE MANIFESTED ANGER OF MOSES (Numbers 20:10-12)
Moses manifested anger and that led to consequences on his life, desires and calling. He wanted to enter the promise land, but he could not.
1. The Cause and the Cost of Moses' Anger (Psalm 106: 32-33; Deuteronomy 4:21-22; 1:35,37)
Psalm 106:32-33 "32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: 33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips." Your spirit is inside you, if an outsider can get in and provoke your spirit by the way they look, speak, react, you are not watchful. Our spirit is that part of our body we should keep, allowing people around us, the world and society to control us is not wise. The people provoked Moses and he spoke unadvisedly.
Deuteronomy 4:21-22. Moses said the people made God to be angry with him, and that hindered him from entering the Promise Land. Anyone can do anything, any familiar person who has studied and known how you behave can do anything, when you step into that trap, it means you're predictable. Anyone who can predict your responses and reactions can determine your destiny, where you get to in life, what you do, your achievements and they can put a blockage in your way. But if you take them by surprise, and become unpredictable, it is good. If Moses knew that the people have started again and fall on his face before God as before, they won't be able to predict his action.
Moses was just coming back from the mountain and the people had gone into idol worship. He had the two tables of stone in his hands and broke them in anger. Whatever you do and people know how you always react, there is danger. The Lord was angry with Moses because of the people and he was not able to go with them into the Promise Land. He died in that land. He could not have blamed anyone, if he had separated himself from the actions of the people, he would not have missed entering the Promise Land.
Let's look at the situation carefully. The people had no water and grumbled, Moses struck the rock, and they got water, and the advantage of the whole thing. Not only that, they would also get into the land. Moses gave more than all the people, while they only had an easy ride and did whatever they wanted to do. They got to the land and Moses did not get there. Why not think ahead and not get angry on the pulpit.
Don't say that they are slow, if you are fast, righteous, committed and consecrated, it is the gift of God, and God has favoured you to have what they don't have. Moses would not get over Jordan because of his anger.
What do you want God to be angry with you over in people? People have different capabilities, and IQs, they have different situations in their bodies. Some people are autistic patients and are not as fast as they should be, they don't understand as we do, and are not in control of their bodies as we are. Except a miracle takes place, they will remain like that. Some people have spiritual autism and deficiencies, and except a miracle takes place, they will continue like that. Don't allow the deficiencies of people to make God get angry with you.
2. The Coarseness and Curse in Ministerial Anger (2 Samuel 12:5-7; Numbers 22:27-34; 2 Chronicles 25:7-12-13)
The pulpit is a sacred place, and not where to manifest anger and outbursts as it can bring a curse upon the minister.
2 Samuel 12:5. Nathan came to David and told him a story and by the time he was through, David's anger was greatly kindled and he passed a judgment - the man who did that would surely die. Why don't we slow down a little bit, and think through when we hear a message, parable, proclamation, and declaration. You are hard and harsh when you think it is another person and more lenient on yourself. How would you like other people to react to you? You are quick to judge others because you think that person should not have done what he did. You are not thinking about yourself and what you did in the past and in the present that you should not have done. You are not looking at the mirror. David said the guilty man would restore what he took four-folds because he had no pity.
vs 6. Nathan said to David, "thou art the man".
As for Moses, but for the grace and impact of God on him, he would act like them, so, instead of getting angry, be careful. If he were one of the people, how would he want his leader to react and relate to him? If he was as prayerless as they were, if he had not gone into the inner sanctuary, won't he also act like them? If you bring it back to yourself, you will be calm and cool.
Nathan recounted the goodness of God in the life of David. Look at the judgment David passed on the man, that he would die after restoring what he took four-folds. God did not repay him according to his pronouncement, He was merciful unto him. Anytime we are angry, we don't act in mercy and love, we are vengeful, and wants others to suffer. If God brings back your judgment on you, where will you be?
Numbers 22:27. Balaam's anger was kindled. Actually, the ass saw an Angel of God with a sword in his hand who wanted to kill Balaam. In protecting Balaam, it swerved and went aside. The ass was doing something good, but it's master did not understand. How many times do people do good to us but we don't understand because the good did not come to us the right way? Anything that is new we misinterpret, and we do this quite a lot. People have their challenges they are having and burdens they are carrying while hoping for a better future. Because of this, they forget themselves at times, and might be doing things to help us, but we get angry due to misunderstanding. It is not possible to understand everything people are doing, lack of understanding keeps you on edge and makes you act wrongly.
God opened the mouth of the ass and he spoke, asking why its master beat him. Balaam answered that because it mocked him, and if he had a sword, he would have killed him. He was still angry. What are you angry about? God wanting to protect and preserve your life did some unual things but you are angry because you don't understand.
The ass was speaking but it did not shock Balaam because he was angry. We miss great miracles when we are angry, in fact, anger is temporary madness. This makes us not to use our intelligence and brain, we get out of ourselves. If you have the tendency to be angry, know that madness is coming because all your senses will be shut down. The ass asked Balaam if it had ever done what he did that day. It was more intelligent than it's master temporarily, and it did not get angry, it only asked why it's master struck it. How would an ass be in control of its temper more than a man who was supposed to be a prophet?
Then God opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the Angel with a drawn sword, and he fell on his face to the ground. Our temper will change when we see what we ought to see. Our emotion will change when we see revelations from heaven. We are angry and boisterous when we lack revelations, but we will calm down when the Lord reveals things to us that we never saw before.
vs 32. The Angel told Balaam that he would have killed him if not that the ass moved aside. Pray to the Lord that He will open your eyes to see what others are not seeing, this will help you to be more calm in your emotions and anger will no longer be there.
2 Chronicles 25:7. Amaziah was going to battle and he called a great army from Israel, paying them a large sum of money. Then the prophet of God came to tell him not to go with them to the battle because God was not with them. He asked about the money he paid them, and the prophet said God was able to give him much more than that. Amaziah obeyed and separated himself from the army of Israel and they in turn were very angry. The king was not doing anything contrary, he was only obeying the voice of the Lord.
Always think when something happens - you were given an opportunity to do something before, then it was withdrawn, don't get angry. Let us understand that God is the one planning and monitoring everything, and if He closes this door at this time, don't get angry, go back to Him and ask why things went that way.
vs 11-12. Amaziah had upper hand in the battle. He won the victory all-round.
vs 13. "But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil." Anger punishes innocent people for what other people did. These people did not know what Amaziah did but the army of Israel in their great anger committed this heinous crime. As we go through life, we must be reasonable, righteous, and not cause problem for innocent people because of what others have done.
3. The Consequence and Condemnation of Messengers' Anger (Deuteronomy 3:23-27; Ecclesiastes 7:9; 8:9)
Messengers are supposed to deliver messages from heaven, but he gets out of himself and begins to react as if the people were his slaves and servants.
Deuteronomy 3:23-27. Moses prayed earnestly for God to pardon him and let him pass over to the Promise Land. Can you imagine Moses who prayed for a whole nation for God to pardon and overlook their faults, Moses who turned down the offer of God starting a new nation with him, while destroying the children of Israel, but on this particular matter, God told him not to speak to Him anymore. See, it might be a temporary anger, but it might carry longstanding repercussions.
Ecclesiastes 7:9. When you are hasty, you are not thinking, reasonable, or analyzing the situations well, you are not taking time to think through and know Why? What? How? When you take time, you will not easily get angry. Anger rests in the bosom of fools.
ch 8:9. Many times, people who cannot control themselves want to be in control of other people. This results to their own hurt. Moses wanted the people to behave well and not murmur, when they didn't obey, he got angry and his anger was condemned. At times, leaders forget that they too need to get to heaven and therefore follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. We carry too much authority and control and if the people don't respond the way we want, we go astray and hurt ourselves, stop our journey and manifest bad temper. Understand, not everyone will accept that kind of control, some will, and some will not, but if you insist on controlling all, you will get angry and lose a lot.
B. THE SOLEMN CONSIDERATION OF MEANINGLESS ANGER IN MINISTRY (Jonah 4:1-4,9)
A minister is a messenger sent by God to deliver a message to the people of God. You are just a messenger, like a despatch rider who is sent to deliever mails to a house, you have nothing to do with the content of the letter or the recipients of the letter. If they open the mail when you are still there and they react one way or another, that is their decision. Ministers must understand that coming to the congregation is nothing personal, the Lord gave you the message and you delivered it to the people, how they react to it is between them and God.
Don't take anything personal because that is where we get into trouble, it is not your message, so, people's reactions here and there must not matter to you. Don't say why are they doing this to you, it is not your message, but God's. Moses should have understood this - God said take the rod, and speak to the rock and He will give water. That was all Moses was supposed to do, as to the rebellion, and lifestyle of the people, it should not have got him on edge.
Meaningless anger in ministry, anger we cannot put value to, anger with no meaning.
1. The Inconsiderate Anger of Thankless Ministers (Jonah 4:1-4,9-11; John 7:23-24; Luke 15:26-28)
Jonah 4:1. What displeased Jonah? God spared and forgave the Ninevites because they repented of their sins in dust and ashes, from the king, to the cabinet, from the citizens, to animals. Jonah learning of this got angry and became thankless. He himself had gone astray, boarded a ship to the opposite direction of where he ought to go and was thrown into the sea according to his own request. A whale swallowed him and he prayed in the belly of the fish. God heard and had mercy on him and he was vomited by the fish on the shore. He got another chance to obey the instructions he flouted earlier.
Jonah forgot the mercy he received from God, he was thankless. Have we forgotten things we did wrong and God forgave us, unscriptural things we said and God forgave us? Outright sins we committed since we got born again and God forgave us. Now, we are standing and are ministers and teachers of the word and somebody does similar things we did in the past, and we cannot forgive. Jonah should not have been called back, his being called back was not by right, but by grace. Such anger was thoughtless and thankless.
vs 2. Jonah was justifying his backsliding and disobedience, he was bragging about his deviation and going astray. You do this when you are looking at, and condemning others while forgetting the mercy and forgiveness you received in the past.
vs 3. Jonah requested that his life be taken from him, someone who prayed earnestly to be spared in the belly of the whale, and God answered his prayer. When people are angry, they forget what happens after their anger. Things are not going the way they expect, and they become careless of the kind of prayer they are praying.
vs 4,9. God asked Jonah if he was justified to be angry, he answered he did well to be angry, even unto death. We must be careful and think about the emotions we feel in our heart. When you think deep, you will see what God has done for you and you will be grateful and no anger will remain.
John 7:23. Jesus asked the Pharisees why they should be angry that He healed a sick person on the Sabbath day. He expected them to think of the burden of 38 years He removed from him, the joy and relief given to, not only him, but relatives of the Jewish rulers as well. He asked if they were right to be angry that he made a man whole on a Sabbath day.
vs 24 "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." Many times, things appear in a way, and we judge, judge and judge. We are too hasty, fast in jumping to conclusions.
Luke 15:26-27. The elder brother of the prodigal son came back and asked what was being celebrated. Someone answered him that it was his runaway younger brother who came back that was being celebrated.
vs 28. He was angry. We must be happy about new converts, and restored backsliders. When privileges are given them to handle or officiate here and there, you who have been faithful and did not backslide must not become angry. You were there, standing, and serving by grace, not by merit. Be thoughtful and don't be thankless like Jonah whom God showed mercy, but was not showing it to others.
2. The Impetuous Anger of Thoughtless Ministers (Daniel 2:11-13; Proverbs 27:3-4; Matthew 5:22-24)
Something happened and you just pounce like a lion. Slow down and kill the lion on the inside of you. We are to think before we leap, and meditate on the consequences of our actions.
Daniel 2:11-12. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and could not remember it. He called his magicians and wise men to remember and give him the interpretation of the dream, but they could not. He passed a command that all his wise men, cabinet, advisers be killed in his anger. When we are angry, we forget we need the people around us for the fulfilment of our calling. Sit and relax, and think about the action you are about to take.
Imagine Nebuchadnezzar killing all staff of the palace, what happens to his kingdom and reign? Imagine a husband getting angry and taking a step, what happens to the family and children? What happens to your name and future? The king was not thinking deep.
vs 13. If all have been killed, Daniel would not have been able to interpret the dream of the king and other dreams that came up in chapter 4.
Proverbs 27:3-4. The anger of a fool is heavier than a stone. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous, and does outrageous things in our lives.
Matthew 5:22-23. Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, without thinking if it is justified or not, if it justifies the destruction of properties, demolishing what took 50 years to build up, find out. When you do this, you will be slow in action. Whosoever calls his brother a fool because of anger shall be in danger of hell fire. When you remember that you have an issue to sort out with anyone, leave your gift at the altar, go and be reconciled first, then come back and offer your gift.
3. The Interminable Anguish of Tameless Mockers (Romans 2:5-6,8-9; Colossians 3:5-8; Revelation 14:10-11)
We are looking at the agony and anguish of people who mock the word of God.
Romans 2:5-6. God will render to all men according to their deeds.
vs 8. Getting angry and speaking in anger is evil, and it will receive the judgment of God.
Colossians 3:8. Mortify, and destroy anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication from your mouth.
Revelation 14:10-11. Judgment and retribution for all who worship the beast and its image and all who receive his mark. If you take the nature of the devil, attitude, attributes and mark, living a life of anger as if the devil is dwelling inside of you, not thinking of where you will spend eternity, God's judgment is coming.
C. THE STEADFAST CONQUERORS OF MORTIFIED ANGER IN MASTERY (Colossians 3:5,8; 2 Timothy 2:5-7)
The one who looks at anger and mortifies (kills) it, and becomes totally free from it - this is what gets people into trouble. Then you will not be claiming to be pushed to do or say anything. You will not allow anyone to have the control valve of your life and ministry. You will no more be under push, push. It is good to be in control of what you do, say, where you go, all your actions. You may not be able to control others, but you will be able to control yourself without anger.
Colossians 3:5. Endeavour to do everything you do lawfully. Preach, counsel, help others lawfully, not to control people - they all have rights to their own lives - let them live according to their convictions, even if they are too slow for your liking, let them take responsibility for their lives. If you want to help them, do it as one who has mastered anger and impetuous emotions.
vs 7. The Lord give you understanding in all things - your own heart, habits, tendencies, all you do and when people are complaining, try to make amends.
1. Timeless Demand of Freedom from Man's Anger (Psalm 37:8-9; Ephesians 4:30-32; James 1:19-20)
Be free from your anger and anyone's anger.
Psalm 37:8-9. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Evil doers shall be cut off, but they that who wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth.
Ephesians 4:30-31. Grieve not the Holy Spirit by whom you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, indignation, malice be put away. Be kind to one another, be tender-hearted and be forgiving even as Christ forgives you.
James 1:19-20. Be swift to hear and slow to speak and to wrath. Defer it, think, watch, meditate first on the repercussions of your actions. The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.
2. Thorough Deliverance and Freedom from Malicious Anger (Romans 6:6-7,11-18,22; 8:2-4; Galatians 5:19-26)
Romans 6:6-7. Anger resides in the old man, in the depraved nature that brought the anger, this was why Cain was angry because of the depravity he was born with, he was not saved or transformed and the anger made him to kill Abel, his brother. That was why Esau planned to kill his brother, many years into their history, the anger of the old man was transferred to their descendants. When the body of sin is destroyed, we will no longer serve it. When you are free from sin, you will also be free from anger. Holiness does not indulge in anger, angry looks, talks, feelings, reactions, dispositions against anyone. By this, you will have everlasting life.
Galatians 5:20. Hatred and anger are neighbours and belong together. Wrath, strife, sedition, heresy are all works of the flesh. All who indulge in these and others will not inherit the kingdom of God.
vs 22. There is no anger in love, you are happy, joyful and peaceful, no anger in meekness, lowliness, etc. May God make us conquerors in Jesus name.
3. Total Dominion Through the Fullness of the Messiah’s Atonement (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:3-5; 2 Peter 1:3-11)
We come to the Saviour who has atoned for our sins and His blood has saved us from all unrighteousness, hence, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." The old and carnal nature, and angry disposition is crucified with Christ who lives in us. So, we can no longer give expression to anger and angry outbursts. Through the atonement, we have a new nature and angry, boisterous and impetuous nature is crucified.
Philippians 2:3-5. People get angry because they are looking on their own thing, when people are not doing things the way they want to make them happy. Think about what other people want and what God wants. Let the mind of Christ be in you so you will not be getting angry as if you are wearing your emotions under your skin.
2 Peter 1:3-11. God has impartially given to all the divine nature which will remove the lion-like, boisterous and depraved nature. We will have the nature - gentleness, meekness and lowliness of Christ. May God do this for everyone, and when you get back to your local Church, people will see that you have been in the presence of God, and that He has done something visible and unforgettable in your life. He will do it tonight.
Rise and go to the Lord in prayer with the understanding that this is what God will do. Brothers and sisters, please, spend some time in prayer and God will do what He has promised to do.
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