sermon notes from http://www.intouch.org/resources/sermon-outlines/Content.aspx?topic=Anger_and_Forgiveness done in powerpoint for church use.

1. Anger and Forgiveness
Letting Go of Anger

2. Memory Verse:
Ephesians 4:30-32
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, with whom you were sealed for the day
of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage
and anger, brawling and slander, along with
every form of malice. 32 Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave
you. (NIV)
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3. I. Introduction: There is awesome power
in forgiveness.
It is God’s solution for bitterness,
resentment, and hostility. You and I
need the freedom found only through
sincerely and completely forgiving
others.

4. II. A Few Definitions
A. AAnnggeerr is a strong feeling of intense displeasure,
hostility, or indignation as a result of a real or imagined
threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or
others important to you.
B. FFoorrggiivveenneessss is giving up resentment against
someone else, along with your right to get even, no
matter what has been done to you.
C. UUnnffoorrggiivveenneessss is the deliberate, willful refusal to give
up one’s resentment and right to get even, based on
the attitude that someone must pay for the wrong done.

5. III. Obstacles to Forgiveness
A. Lack of desire: You don’t want to
forgive.
B. Rehearsing what happened: Some
people continue to dwell on the hurtful
experience.
C. Pride: We may believe the other
person should initiate reconciliation.
D. Fear: Some resist forgiving to avoid
looking weak, being misunderstood, or
feeling rejected.

6. III. Obstacles to Forgiveness
E. Negative advice: Well-meaning friends
don’t always offer godly counsel.
F. Partial forgiveness: People try to pick
and choose which offenses can be
pardoned.
G. Relying on emotions: Don’t make the
mistake of waiting until you feel like
forgiving.

7. III. Obstacles to Forgiveness
H. Expecting quick results: Forgiveness
can take time.
I. Justifying the other person’s
actions: Some people will rationalize
what happened so that they don’t have
to forgive.

8. IV. Scriptural Teaching
A. Our fellowship with God suffers when
we refuse to release others from their
sins against us (Matt. 6:14-15).
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin
against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

9. IV. Scriptural Teaching
B. We should forgive over and over. In
Matthew 18:22, Jesus tells Peter that he
must forgive his brother “seventy times
seven” times.
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but
seventy-seven times. (NIV)

10. IV. Scriptural Teaching
C. You and I must be willing to extend
mercy towards those who sin against
us, because God has forgiven each of us
of so much (Matt. 18:23-35).

11. • 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle
accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten
thousand bags of gold[a] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the
master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to
repay the debt.
• 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged,
‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled
the debt and let him go.
• 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed
him a hundred silver coins.[b] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back
what you owe me!’ he demanded.
• 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I
will pay it back.’
• 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he
could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were
outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
• 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled
all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy
on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over
to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
• 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your
brother or sister from your heart.”(NIV)

12. IV. Scriptural Teaching
D. We must deliberately turn away from
anger and malice (Eph. 4:31-32).

13. V. Important Reminders
A. As a believer, you have the responsibility to take the
initiative in dealing with unforgiveness.
B. Forgiveness will not always be easy or quick. But you
can’t allow it to take root in your life and turn into
bitterness.
C. Forgiving is difficult because it is unselfish. It
involves laying down strong feelings and rights while
releasing the other person from his or her obligation to
repay you.
D. You may never forgive if you wait until you “feel like
it.”
E. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t always have to
include going to the other person and confessing your
resentment. Approach that individual only if the Lord
directs you to do so.

14. VI. Steps to Dealing with Anger
A. Acknowledge that you have been totally forgiven. God
saved you by grace––not because you deserved it. He has
freely offered His forgiveness your entire life.
B. Confess your anger to the Lord. Recognize that your
attitude has not been right. Be specific in describing your
hostility and resentment.
C. Recognize that unforgiveness is sin. Honestly admit
that it is a violation of biblical principles.
D. Ask God to forgive you. You may also need to admit to
the other person that your attitude toward him or her was
wrong.
E. Lay down the anger. Through the power of the Holy
Spirit and by an act of your will, choose to let it go.

15. VII. Helpful Guidance
A. God will reveal whether or not you need to
confess your unforgiveness to the one who
offended you. When that is the case, make sure
you simply request forgiveness for your
attitude without going into why he or she
angered you.
B. If meeting in person is not possible, set two
chairs facing each other. Sit in one and imagine
the other individual sitting across from you.
Then, confess your resentment. You can also
use this technique to practice confessing a
wrong attitude before attempting it in person.

16. VIII. How to Know You Have Forgiven
A. The harsh emotions you’ve had
towards others will be replaced by
compassion.
B. You’ll be able to accept others without
feeling bitter, even if they never change.
You will try to understand why they acted
as they did.
C. You will feel thankful that God allowed
the difficult experience to teach you more
about the riches of His grace.

17. IX. Conclusion:
You and I don’t have to hold onto
unforgiveness, bitterness, and
resentment. We can escape the chains of
self-destruction that entangle those who
refuse to show mercy. When the Holy
Spirit reminds you of the people to
forgive, I hope you won’t ignore His
voice. It is my prayer that you bravely and
wisely choose to deal with those feelings.
My friend, allow God to set you free--––
you will never regret it.

18. Credits to the owner:
http://www.intouch.org/resources/sermon
-outlines/Content.aspx?
topic=Anger_and_Forgiveness