Anger | Sermon on the Mount | Aaron Pennington - Lead Pastor

Have you ever tried to justify your anger? In this message from the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Aaron Pennington walks through Matthew 5 and Jesus’ teaching on anger, reconciliation, and what grows in our hearts. Jesus makes it clear that God is not only concerned with outward actions but what we allow to take root inside of us. Anger, bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness do not stay hidden. What fills the heart eventually comes out through our words and actions. This message explores: • What Jesus really meant in Matthew 5:21–26 • The difference between righteous anger and sinful anger • How unresolved anger damages relationships • Why forgiveness is central to the Gospel • Practical steps to uproot bitterness before it grows If you have ever struggled with anger, rage, resentment, or unresolved hurt, this message is for you. Join us as we continue our Sermon on the Mount series and learn how to live as salt and light in a world that desperately needs grace. 📍 Trace Church 4330 Mark Dabling Blvd Colorado Springs, CO Subscribe for weekly sermons and updates from Trace Church in Colorado Springs. ⸻ STAY CONNECTED 📌 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TraceChurch?sub_confirmation=1 📍 Website: https://tracechurch.com 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TraceChurchCOS 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trace.church 🎧 Listen to the Trace Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/trace-church ⸻ TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP ✅ Get Connected: https://tracechurch.com/next-steps/ 🙏 Need Prayer? https://tracechurch.com/need-prayer/ 💸 Give to the Mission: https://pushpay.com/g/tracechurch?src=fp ⸻ ABOUT TRACE CHURCH Trace Church exists to help people find and follow Jesus. From in-person worship in Colorado Springs to digital messages across the world, we create space for people to experience life-giving, Gospel-centered teaching. Whether you are new to church or looking for a place to grow, we are here for you. ⸻ Chapters 0:00 - Have You Ever Been Angry? 0:46 - When Anger Takes Root 1:10 - Sermon on the Mount Recap + Matthew 5 Setup 3:44 - Read Scripture: Matthew 5:21–26 5:27 - What Jesus Is Really Addressing: The Heart Behind Anger 5:55 - “The Mouth Speaks What the Heart Is Full Of” (Matthew 12) 7:16 - Doing the Deeper Work: Where Did This Start? 7:54 - Heart Check: What’s Growing in You? 9:06 - James 1: Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger 9:59 - Personal Story: Anger as a “Flesh Fallback” 10:39 - Past Pain Can’t Justify Present Behavior 10:53 - Story: The Moment That Changed Everything as a Dad 13:08 - Uprooted Series Confessions: Anger + Rage 13:40 - Let God Search Your Heart (Psalmist Prayer) 14:10 - Counseling + Theology First 14:56 - Is There Righteous Anger? 15:08 - Jesus’ Anger in the Temple (John 2) 16:10 - What Should Make Christians Angry? 16:41 - Warning: When “Righteous Anger” Turns Sinful 17:15 - Abortion Example: Anger at Laws, Not People 18:57 - When Our Anger Is Not Justified (Most of the Time) 19:13 - Ephesians: “In Your Anger Do Not Sin” 19:40 - “Don’t Go to Bed Angry” Explained 21:27 - Practical Wisdom for Marriage Conflict 22:47 - The Formula: Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak 23:30 - Invite the Holy Spirit to Search You 24:15 - Retaliation vs Trusting God With Justice (Romans 12) 24:54 - How Anger Leads to Sin: Bitterness, Resentment, Unforgiveness 25:30 - Heart Inventory: What’s Been Coming Out of Your Mouth? 26:17 - Call to Response: Don’t Waste This Moment 26:48 - Prayer: Forgiveness, Freedom From Anger, Trusting God’s Justice 29:43 - Closing Response (“Everybody said?”)