Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Put Off Anger; Put On Grace (Ephesians 4:31, 32)

Bryan Schneider · August 22, 2020

Ephesians 4:31-32

sharonrpc.org/sermons/put-off-anger-put-on-grace

Summary

Ephesians 4 contrasts the old person marked by bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice with the new person marked by kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.
Sinful anger begins inwardly and then moves outward through hostile expressions, shouting, and destructive speech.
Jesus' anger in the temple shows that righteous anger seeks God's glory, while sinful anger is driven by pride, preference, and hostility toward others.
The Holy Spirit provides both the power to put anger away and a way of escape when temptation rises.
Repentance is not merely suppressing anger; it turns from the old pattern and puts on the opposing graces.
Christians forgive because God in Christ has forgiven their unpayable debt, making the church a community of reconciliation and grace.

Whom do I inwardly resent even though I remain outwardly civil?
How does my face, tone, volume, or conversation about others reveal anger that I excuse?
Is my anger truly concerned with God's glory and justice, or with my pride and preferences?
What Scripture can I remember before the next predictable temptation to anger?
What kindness or tenderhearted action should replace the anger I am putting off?
Whose debt am I refusing to release even though God has forgiven me in Christ?
Where do I need to confess angry words and seek reconciliation?

Bitterness: An inward settled resentment that regards another person with hostility even when outward manners remain polite.
Clamor: Anger expressed through raised voices, shouting, and contentious speech.
Malice: A desire to cause another person pain, injury, or distress.
Tenderheartedness: Deep compassion that willingly makes room for another person's need and pain.
Forgiveness: The gracious pardon of a real wrong, patterned after God's forgiveness of sinners in Christ.