Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

When the enemy attacks series

Breastplate of righteousness #2

Ephesians chapter 6:10-18

Good morning, if you would turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 6

We began a series last week “When the enemy attacks”-

It is not a question of if the enemy is going to attack, As a Christian we know it is when he will and what we are you going to do about it and how are you going to protect yourself from the schemes, temptations, and troubles of his ways.

I want to read the text again so that it will be remembered and memorized when needed.

Ephesians chapter 6:10-18 Read from Bible

Prayer-

The first piece we looked at was the belt of truth- (Remember Roman Soldier with his armor)

It was an apron that went around the waist and tied everything together.

The belt of truth is worn close to the body.

We should hold God's truth close to us and allow it to surround us.

When we remain in His Word, we can distinguish what is true from what is untrue.

Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

John records the devil comes to kill us, steal from us, and destroy us.

Peter records

1 peter 5:8” Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy (adversary) the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same sufferings.”

Truth is having the clarity of a sound doctrine that lines up with God’s Word. (Repeat)

What do you believe? Can you define what you believe?

Does the truth of God cause you to live a life pleasing to God?

Godly Truth in our mind helps to strengthen our wills to serve the Lord.

What is truth?

The idea of absolute truth is inseparable from the life of Jesus Christ and from the Bible.

Jesus defined Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

He also defined the Word of God as truth: “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

In a world that is confused and without absolutes, these words are an anchor! Amen.

Jesus Christ and the Bible (Truth revealed to us)

So, why does Paul call it the breastplate of righteousness?

If we do not protect ourselves with righteousness, we open ourselves up to attack from the enemy and can fall into sin.

To be righteous means to obey God's commandments and live in a way that is honorable to Him.

Right relationship with Him

Not only do we have an enemy, but we also have a Savior who has provided us with everything we need for the fight. He’s given us armor, the armor of God.

So I have some simple questions about the breastplate this morning:

What Is It?

Why Do We Need It?

How do we get it/ How Do We Put It On

What Is It?

So, first question, what is it? What is this the breastplate of righteousness?

Let me first tell you what it is not-

It is not self-righteousness

We talked about that- it is not being better than someone else. The measure is not against each other but against a holy God in which we all fall short.

It is not a Holier -than -thou attitude

Remember Jesus parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector

Remember Jesus and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector Luke 18:9-14

Pharisee

“God, I thank you that I’m not like other men, I’m not like this tax collector, and I’m not an adulterer, and I haven’t done all these things. On the contrary, I fast twice a week and I pray and I tithe and I do all these things.” Self righteousness

Tax collector- “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Righteous in Jesus

It’s so easy for us to slip into self-righteousness. I think we all know that self-righteousness is wrong, obnoxious, it’s sinful.

Biblical Righteousness is the believer who recognizes their sin.

They recognize their need for Christ and for the righteousness that comes from faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible is talking about gospel righteousness, not self-righteousness.

Positional righteousness is Christ’s work for us. It’s what Jesus Christ himself has done for us that is perfect, it is complete, it makes us perfect, it declares us righteous in the sight of God, it’s received by faith alone.

Justifying righteousness: it’s given to us when we come to faith in Christ. This is what constitutes us as righteous in the sight of God, so that God the judge looks upon us and he sees us through the blood of Christ, he sees us covered in the righteousness of Christ, he sees the obedience of Christ counted as ours, and he says, “Not guilty.” This is vitally important for us to understand, and until we get this we will struggle with doubt and fear and with the assurance of our salvation.