SERMON OUTLINE:
• (1). The Belt of truth (vs 14a)
• (2). The Breastplate of Righteousness (vs 14b)
• (3). The shoes of peace (vs 15)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
English prisoner of war joke.
• An English prisoner of war was held by the Germans.
• The Englishman had been shot all over his body.
• The good news was he was still alive;
• The bad news was the areas of his body were slowly being badly infected.
• One day a German doctor told the prisoner:
• "Englander, your arm is infected with gangrene we must cut it off."
• The English prisoner said,
• "Well, okay, but could you drop it over England when you go bombing."
• The German replied,
• "Ya, that vill not be a problem."
• A few weeks later the German doctor tells the Englishman;
• That they have to cut his other arm off.
• The Englishman says, "Well, could drop it over England like you did last time."
• "Ya, that will be done," says the German.
• A few weeks later the German doctor tells him that they have to cut his leg off.
• Once again the Brit says, "Well, could you do the same as before."
• The German replies, "Ya."
• A few weeks later the German doctor tells him tells him they have to cut off his other leg.
• "Well," begins the Brit, "could you just..."
• This time the German snapped back;
• "No we can’t! We think you are trying to escape!"
Transition:
• When it comes to war I read a sad but interesting statistic this week;
• It is estimated that more than 14,500 wars have been fought from the year 3600 B.C.
• To present day—and that number keeps rising.
• In fact, during the same time period,
• There have been 5,305 years of war … and only 292 years of peace.
Now as you are no doubt aware from last week’s study:
• That Every Christian is in a war situation;
• Every Christian is called to fight the good fight.
• Verse 12 reminds us that the enemy we fight is not physical but spiritual;
• Quote: J.B. Philips translation of verse 12:
“For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil.”
• Not only is our enemy a spiritual enemy;
• But the weapons we use to fight with are also spiritual.
• Now I am glad about that because if you do a study on physical armour;
• Looking up Bible references to armour, you would be very discouraged.
• e.g. You will find that Saul’s armour did not fit David;
• e.g. That Goliath’s armour was useless against David’s stone.
• e.g. You will discover that a stray arrow found a crack in Ahab’s armour,
• Killing the wicked king.
• So aren’t you glad we are called to wear the physical body armour;
• Like Saul, Ahab, or Goliath.
• Instead we are to put on the unfailing armour of God!
• Now this evening we are going to look at three pieces of that armour;
• And next week you will learn about the rest of the armour.
• But let me remind you and emphasise the fact;
• That we are called to wear the whole armour of God and not just some
• Twice in verse 11 and verse 13 the apostles emphasises:
• We are to wear all of the articles God provides if we want to be victorious!
Ill:
• A footballer may enter the pitch in an immaculate new football strip;
• But if he left his boots back in the changing room he is in big trouble!
• That’s why the apostle Paul twice in verse 11 and verse 13 emphasises:
• We need to wear all of the articles God provides if we want to be victorious!
Now the apostle Paul uses Roman armour for his illustration here in Ephesians chapter 6:
• The reason for that is Paul who was writing from Rome.
• He was a prisoner when he wrote this letter.
• Many believe Paul wrote this letter in the company of Roman soldiers;
• Who were chained to him or at very least stood guard next to him.
• He would have seen these solders with their armour, swords and shields,
• And like all preachers he never missed up an idea for a sermon illustration.
• He knew that no soldier ever goes to war without being prepared.
• Likewise the Christian needs to be prepared for battle at all times.
• The battle we as Christians face is in the spiritual realm,
• Therefore the armour we are to be clothed in, is in the spiritual realm too.
(1). The Belt of truth (vs 14a)
• N.I.V.: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”
• K.J.B.: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,”
Ill:
• Roman soldiers wore a linen undergarment next to the skin,
• It was then covered by a woollen one–piece tunic that came down to the knees.
• It was shaped like a “T” with a hole at the top for the head.
• It was sewn on two sides and generally had half sleeves.
• At times they were dyed,
• But most often they were the natural colour of wool.
• The coloured tunic was usually reserved for army commanders,
• The wealthy or those of the government status.
• Over the tunic they placed a breastplate.
• At the bottom of the breastplate;
• They wore a heavy belt made of connected bronze plates and leather;
• This belt contained a buckle very similar to the type we use today.
• This belt had one function.
• It served as the foundation on which the sword, dagger and metal apron were attached.
• This belt was foundational for battle.
• Because it supported the weapons that allowed the soldier to fight.
• It also kept the flowing garments together;
• Without the belt these garments would hamper the soldiers movements;
• While marching or engaging in combat.
• Now let’s remember what Paul is doing here.
• This is not a commentary on military fashion items.
• Ephesians 6:14a is talking about a belt which has spiritual significance.
• Which is why he calls it the ‘belt of truth’.
I want to suggest that ‘Truth’ here has a two-fold application:
• (a). What we believe.
• (b). How we behave.
(a). What we believe.
• The first mention of truth in this letter is in connection to conversion;
• (Chapter 1 verse 13)
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of TRUTH, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
• First - these Ephesians heard the message of Jesus Christ;
• Jesus claimed to be: “…the way, the truth and the life”.
• The way to God the truth about God and the life of God.
• Second these Ephesians believed the message of Jesus Christ.
• They were saved by placing their faith in Jesus Christ.
Ill:
• Three frogs sat on a lily-pad. One decided to jump off.
• How many were left?
• Answer: Three.
• Because the frog only decided to jump off, but never took the leap.
• These Ephesians took that leap of faith & believed the message of Jesus Christ.
• They were saved ‘by grace through faith’ (chapter 2 verse 8).
• Third – these Ephesians were given the promised Holy Spirit.
• ill: Old versions of the Bible use the word ‘ghost’,
• Which is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘guest’.
• The Holy Spirit is the holy guest who comes to live inside every Christian.
(b). How we behave.
Chapter 5 verse 8-10 says:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and TRUTH)
10 and find out what pleases the Lord.”
• God wants us to not only believe the truth;
• But to practice the truth in the way we live.
• Truth can be seen in 2 ways:
• Character - that is being good.
• Conduct - that is doing good.
• And of course the two overlap and are really inseparable,
• Out of a true heart flow truthful deeds,
Ill:
• Jesus said in Matthew chapter 7 verse 17:
• "Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit"
Ill:
• Billy Graham was flying on a plane,
• Just ahead of him a drunken passenger was causing a big disturbance.
• He
• was swearing and being rude to the staff and passengers.
• Trying to calm the man down, the stewardess said,
• “Sir, please be quiet, we have Mr. Billy Graham sitting just a few rows behind you”.
• When he heard this, the drunk said;
• “Billy Graham, let me speak to him, I wanna tell him something”.
• The drunk got up and pushed and staggered his way down the aisle,
• He looked at Billy Graham and said;
• “Shake my hand, your ministry has had such an effect upon my life!”
Now Paul is telling these Christians not to be like that!
• He is instructing them to ‘walk the talk’,
• To live out what they claim to believe.
• Their character & conduct should radiate the truth.
(2). The Breastplate of Righteousness (vs 14b)
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.”
• A breastplate is simply a piece of armour designed to cover the chest,
• And thus protect that part of the body from the thrust of the spear and sword.
• If the soldier has on his breastplate;
• He can fight with greater courage because he knows he has a measure of protection.
Ill:
• On one occasion The French military and political leader Napoleon Bonaparte;
• Ordered a bulletproof coat to be made.
• When the workman had completed his task;
• He delivered the coat personally to the emperor.
• Upon taking the coat from the workman,
• Napoleon immediately ordered him to put it on,
• And then fired six shots into the coat.
• You will be glad to know that the coat repelled the shots;
• Napoleon congratulated the workman and gave him a generous reward.
The breastplate of a Roman soldier:
• Like Napoleon’s coat was an important article of defence;
• Because it protected the front torso and all of the vital organs from a mortal wound.
• The soldiers breastplate was often composed of a solid piece of metal,
• But it could also contain numerous small pieces;
• These small pieces were sown to cloth or leather that overlapped;
• Much like the scales of a fish.
• These scales could number as many as 700 to 1,000 per “coat.”
• When the sun shone directly on the armour, it could become very hot.
• So to avoid being burnt, or even pinched, by the moving metal plates,
• The soldiers always wore a sturdy robe under the armour.
• In other words, wearing the breastplate of righteousness;
• Is always in partnership with wearing the robe righteousness.
• We will come back to that later.
Another interesting aspect of the breastplate;
• Was that it offered no protection to the person’s back.
• It was assumed that soldiers would not turn their backs toward the enemy to retreat.
• Likewise, Christian soldiers should stand firm;
• And never surrender any ground to the enemy – the devil.
Twice Paul has mentioned righteousness in this letter:
• Chapter 4 verse 24 & Chapter 5 verse 9;
• Both references also refer to truth!
• Like the breastplate rested on and was tied to the belt of a soldier;
• So righteousness and truth are joined together.
Righteousness in the New Testament is described in two ways:
• (a1). The provision of righteousness.
• (b1). The practice of righteousness.
• (a2). Provision of righteousness – the theological term is ‘Imputed’.
• (b2). Practice of righteousness – the theological term is ‘Imparted’.
• (a3). Imputed refers to the fact that:
• We are given salvation free of charge without effort.
• This gives us the right to stand before God and speak to him as if we were sinless.
• Righteousness has been done for us By God through Christ.
e.g. 2 Corinthians 5 verse 21 (New Living Bible):
“Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him.
Then we are made right (righteous) with God because of what Christ has done for us”.
• (b3). Imparted refers to the fact that:
• Christ is at work in our lives by the Holy Spirit.
• And when we cooperate with him;
• He grants us the inner strength to live;
• And conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God.
e.g. 2 Peter 1 verse 4 (New Living Bible):
“Through His (Jesus) shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them.
Through these promises you can have God’s own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh”.
• These two types of righteousness are meshed together in the breastplate,
• They guard our hearts against the attacks of the devil,
• Whether he attacks our standing before God or our moral purity.
• They are welded together because it is all of God.
• It is never our own righteousness!
• Because apart from him all we can achieve is ‘Nothing!’ (John chapter 15 verse 5).
• He gives us righteousness;
• And He produces righteousness through us!
(3). The shoes of peace (vs 15)
• N.I.V.: “& with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
• N.L.B.: “Wear shoes on your feet which are the Good News of peace.”
The Shoes or sandals of the Roman soldier were specialist footwear:
• Great care was taken by the Roman army;
• To supply their soldiers with suitable footwear.
• Their shoes (or boots) consisted of an elaborately cut and laced sandal;
• Of which the sole was made up with layers of metal and leather.
• The soul also contained ‘hob nail’ spikes;
• ill: bit like a footballer has studs on the bottom of his boots.
• The soldier could therefore get a good grip into the ground;
• And this would help keep them from being moved.
• Some shoes had additional toe spikes and or built-in spurs;
• Designed of course to do damage to the enemy.
• The uppers of the sandals were often armoured;
• By small overlapping pieces of metal riveted to the leather straps.
• In addition, attached to the uppers of the sandal were removable metal greaves;
• ill: bit like a footballers shin pads only longer.
• That extended up over the kneecap protecting the knees, shins and ankles.
As Christian’s we enjoy two things that comes from the "Good News" shoes.
• (a1). Peace with God.
• Because the gospel deals with our sins.
• (a2). Peace of God.
• As we rest in him & his Spirit rests in us & leads us.
(a1). Peace with God.
• Chapter 2 of this letter is all about peace:
• The apostle Paul reminds us how God has made peace between Jew & Gentile;
• And how both Jew & Gentile can find peace WITH God;
• Through the death of Jesus Christ.
e.g. Ephesians chapter 2 verse 14-15 (New Living Bible):
“We have peace because of Christ. He has made the Jews and those who are not Jews one people. He broke down the wall that divided them.
He stopped the fighting between them by His death on the cross. He put an end to the Law. Then He made of the two people one new kind of people like Himself. In this way, He made peace”.
(a2). Peace of God.
• When we belong to Jesus Christ – his followers, Christians;
• We can then know the peace OF God in our lives.
• Notice that the apostle Paul starts this letter and finishes it by talking about peace.
e.g. Ephesians chapter 1 verse 3 (New Living Bible):
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• If we have experienced God’s grace in our lives;
• Then we can know his peace!
e.g. Ephesians chapter 6 verse 23-24 (New Living Bible):
“Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love”.
Ill:
Two artists set out to make a picture representing perfect peace.
• The first painted a canvas depicting a carefree lad;
• Sitting in a boat on a little lake without a ripple to disturb the surface.
• The other painted a raging waterfall with winds whipping the spray about.
• On a limb, overhanging the swirling water,
• A bird had built its nest, and sat peacefully brooding her eggs.
• Here she was safe from her predatory enemies,
• Shielded and protected by the roaring falls.
• Peace in the midst of life’s storms;
• We can know the peace of God in our lives.
• If you don’t believe me;
• Then just ask the apostle Paul – he wrote this letter from prison!
