WHY IS EVERYONE ANGRY on MARCH 31st?

 PARABLE of NATIONAL ANGER DAY

COLLEGE KIDS EAT WITH THEIR PASTOR

The leader of the College group, Pastor Dave eats lunch with three college students having anger issues.

Radu the African American student asks, "Why is everyone angry every year on March 31st?"

Dave replies, "Could it be the weather, changing seasons or spiritual warfare provoking everyone to anger?"

Raul the Hispanic student adds, "Why don't we ask Jack, he's a red headed Irishman."

Jack blurts out, "It's a myth that having red hair or being Irish makes you more angry than anyone else."

Pastor Dave says, "What does God think about anger and how should we react?"

Radu smiles, " Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."  

(James 1:19-20 NLT - New Living Translation)

Raul states, "Anger is one of the emotions that the Lord has given everyone; but we need to control it."

Pastor Dave quotes, "Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil." (Ephesisans 4:26-27 WEB ~ World English Bible)

Jack adds, "I've seen people lose their tempers at church, weddings, birthdays, Christmas parties and even on airplanes."

Pastor Dave remarks, "Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,  envy, 

drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."  (Galatians 5:19-21  CSB - Christian Standard Bible)

Radu adds, "But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk."  

(Colossians 3:8  NCV - New Century Version)

Raul, "What makes me angry is wealthy people who have beautiful homes, cars and boats and I have to struggle to work for a living."

Pastor Dave replies, "Should we be wealthy building our kingdom now, or should we be storing riches in heaven?"

Radu speaks to Raul, "Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?"  (Proverbs 27:4  ASV - American Standard Version)

Pastor Dave continues, "One last question, is it wise to have friends who are always angry?"

Radu blurts out, "Don’t associate with an angry man; make no hot-tempered man your companion. If you do, you may learn his way and find yourself caught in a trap."  (Proverbs 22:24-25  CJB - Complete Jewish Bible)

Pastor Dave concludes, "God wants us to first examine ourselves.  If we are angry, get over it before sunset, and forgive everyone before you go to sleep.  Don't carry on your anger, day after day, year after year!  Remember, we're here to help and pray for each other.

                                RADU

 "I guess I have a hard time forgiving."

                                RAUL

 "I have a big problem with jealously."

                                JACK

 "I am no longer going to be angry because other people want me to respond in anger."

                                DAVE

"Soloman the wisest man who ever lived on earth said, "Control your angry thoughts.  Only fools allow their anger to continue."  (Ecclesiastes 7:9  EASY - English Bible) 

                                RAUL

"If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you.  But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."  (Matthew 6:13-15 CEV - Contempary English Version)

ARE YOU READY FOR A POP QUIZ?

 PARABLE AT THE BEACH 

YOUTH GROUP 

Bob the youth pastor finishes praying saying,  "Before I turn you loose, we're going to have a Pop Quiz!"  

If you know the answer please raise your hand."

The girl standing up says, "What's the question?  Can I win a prize?

Pastor Bob begins, "What is another name for the Temple in Jerusalem?"

Ginger replies, "Is it a synagogue?"

Bruce reads on his cell phone, "When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves,  and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”  (Mark 11:15-17  NLT - New Living Translation)

Pastor Bob says, "Where was Jesus' favorite place to pray while staying at Jerusalem?"

Margo reads her phone, "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”  He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." 

(Luke 22:39-44  NIV - New International Version)

Pastor Bob speaks, "What time of day did Peter go up onto the roof in Joppa to pray?"

Cindy raises her hand, saying, "Was it 3pm?"

Mark shouts out, "I know, I know...it's 9am."

Billy reads from his cell phone, "About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance."  

(Acts 10:9-10  NIV - New International Version)

Pastor Bob says, "How do you cast out demons?"

Alice reads, "Then Jesus went into the house. His followers were alone with him there. They said, “Why weren’t we able to force that evil spirit out?”  Jesus answered, “That kind of spirit can be forced out only with prayer.”  (Mark 9:28-29 ERV - Easy To Read Version)

Pastor Bob reads, " Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,  for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20  ESV - English Standard Version)

Pastor Bob concludes, "Prayer can move mountains if you have the faith of a mustard seed. You can pray morning, noon or night and God will hear you.  

Are you allowing the temple of your body to be your house of prayer?  

Jesus found a place of solitude to pray in the mountains of Galilee and the mount of Olives.  Where is your special place to pray?  

Enjoy the day God has created for you.  

Go out and play in the beach."