Children’s Sermon

Matthew 5:21-37

Making Peace

By Lois Parker Edstrom

It’s okay to feel angry. We know, from reading the Bible that Jesus became angry when he saw people disrespecting the place where others came to worship.

You may feel angry when you see a bully harming another kid. You may have experienced being bullied yourself. This is what we call justifiable anger. You or some one else is being hurt or treated unfairly. It is reasonable to feel angry.

What are we to do with that kind of anger? The best way to deal with it is to get help. Talk with an adult you trust. Tell that person what has happened and how it makes you feel. Together you can make a plan to take care of the situation.

At other times we may become angry about little things. We become angry because we don’t get what we want or we get frustrated by something we want to do, but are unable to do it. The Bible cautions us about becoming angry without cause. Do these kinds of problems deserve your anger? Do you want to feel upset or would you rather have a peaceful life?

Most of us want to enjoy each day without feeling angry. Jesus said, “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”(5:24).

Jesus wants us to settle our disagreements, make peace with others, and then let go of our anger. When you are free of anger, you are free to be all that you can be, using your talents and gifts to honor God.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible