Anger

Not Letting the Sun Set on Anger
Matthew 5:21–22; 18:7; Ephesians 4:26; James 1:19–20; 1 Peter 3:8–9
Preaching Themes: Anger, Conflict, Forgiveness, Peace, Reconciliation

Two good men had a sharp difference with each other in business. I do not know which was to blame—perhaps neither of them. They might have misunderstood each other. And one of them, as he walked home, very much ruffled, saw the sun going down, and the passage occurred to him, “Do not let the sun set on your anger” (Eph 4:26). He thought, “I will go back and offer an apology, for I believe I have spoken much too strongly.” He went back toward his friend’s office, and halfway he met the other coming to him on the same errand.
Happy Christians to be both so mindful of the Holy Spirit’s teaching, and so like the Lord Jesus! “It is a necessity that causes for stumbling come” (Matt 18:7), but blessed are those who are foremost in removing them.

The Patience of Archbishop Leighton
Matthew 5:5; Ephesians 4:26
Preaching Themes: Anger, Patience
With a gentle temper, and a quiet spirit, and grace to keep you this way, you will be inheriting the earth under any circumstances. If trouble should come, you will bow to it as the willow bows to the wind and so escapes the injury that falls on sturdier trees. If there should come little vexations, you will not allow yourself to be vexed by them but will say, “With a little patience, they will all pass away.”
I think I never admired Archbishop Leighton more than when I read a certain incident that is recorded in his life. He lived in a small house in Scotland, and had only a manservant beside himself in the house. John, the manservant, was very forgetful. One morning, when he got up before his master, he thought he would like to have a day’s fishing, so he went off and locked his master in. He fished until late in the evening, forgot all about his master, and when he came back, what do you think the bishop said to him? He simply said, “John, if you go out for a day’s fishing another time, kindly leave me the key.” He had had a happy day of prayer and study all by himself.
If it had been some of us, we would have been fuming, and fretting, and working up a nice lecture for John when he came back. And he richly deserved it, but I do not suppose it was worthwhile for the good man to put himself out about him.

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