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Ephesians 6:14(b)

“The Breastplate of

Righteousness”

Body Armor…•Gone thru many changes over the eons, from leather to metal, to Kevlar and the like today•The breastplate protects the vital organs of the soldier– heart, lungs, etc.•If not worn properly, a single well-placed blow could end the battle•Same for spiritual armor– protect the heart

“13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS…”

Ephesians 6:13-14, NASB

“13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS…”

Ephesians 6:13-14, NASB

A. Put on the Breastplate…•Where did Paul get such a cool idea?

“17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle”

Isaiah 59:17, NASB

A. Put on the Breastplate…•Isaiah 59:17•What does he mean “put on the breastplate of righteousness”?•Mine? No. Isaiah 64:6

“6  For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

Isaiah 64:6,

NASB

A. Put on the Breastplate…• Isaiah 59:17•What does he mean “put on the breastplate of righteousness”?• Isaiah 64:6•Not our own righteousness, or a feeling of righteousness, but a righteousness received thru faith in Jesus• It gives us a general sense of confidence, an awareness of our standing and position

A. Put on the Breastplate…• Isaiah 59:17•What does he mean “put on the breastplate of righteousness”?• Isaiah 64:6•Not our own righteousness, or a feeling of righteousness, but a righteousness received thru faith in Jesus• It gives us a general sense of confidence, an awareness of our standing and position

A. Put on the Breastplate…•Remember– the purpose is to guard your heart against devilish capture or discouragement•Paul used it for himself when he was under pressure to be discouraged or feel defeated•He was a short ugly guy with stage presence•His background didn’t help either• I imagine he constantly ran into relatives of his murder victims– he said this to Corinth…

“9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

1 Corinthians 15:9, NASB

A. Put on the Breastplate…•Huge grounds for being discouraged!•It would’ve been easy for him to give up•But in the very next verse he says,

“10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”

1 Corinthians 15:10, NASB

A. Put on the Breastplate…•Huge grounds for being discouraged!•It would’ve been easy for him to give up•1 Corinthians 15:9•Covering his heart with the breastplate, he says this; “What I am is what Christ made me. I’m not standing on my righteousness, I’m standing on His, I am accepted by His grace.”

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13, NASB

From Paul to us…•Let’s now apply this to us•Satan sends a demon to taunt you, trying to convince you that you are not worthy to even pray•Of course it’s true that we still sin, but God in His mercy has given us this provision

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”

John 2:1-2, NASB

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:1, NASB

B. So, how do we get it?•By now you should be wondering, “How does God’s righteousness come to us?”•God knew before time that man would sin•He put this plan of Righteousness Transfer to us way back then and finished it on the Cross•“It is finished!”

B. So, how do we get it?•Greek word, “tele-sta-i”•An every day word in the 1st Cen- tury, but greater meaning than English•Servants used it to tell their masters that the chores were done•The priest would use it to proclaim a sacrifice worthy and without blemish

B. So, how do we get it?•The greatest used by merchants, even pawnbrokers•“The debt is paid in full!”•An end to our guilt from sin, paid the price of redemption, and propitiation•That means that the debt of sin is paid, AND the price of God’s wrath is also paid

C. CAUTION!•2 Cautions I need to share regarding “Putting on the Breast- plate of Righteousness”

1. Remember, His righteousness, not ours

•Don’t ever think your goodness is enough to deflect attacks of the Devil•2 Corinthians 5:21

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

1 Corinthians 5:21, NASB

“…and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:24, NASB

C. CAUTION!•A Christian’s protection is NOT found thru our works, only in His

2. No Breastplate of Experience•A great English theologian, Martin Lloyd-Jones said…

“Thank God for experiences, but do not rely on them. You do not put on the ‘ breastplate of experiences’, rather you put on the ‘Breastplate of Righteousness’.”

Rev. Martin Lloyd-Jones

C. CAUTION!2. No Breastplate of Experience• It’s tempting for the Believer to get prideful in the works God has used you•That is shaky ground…•Why? Because feelings, and experiences, and works change so easily•God’s Righteousness is unchanging•The BP is our best defense against depression

D. Positional & Practical Righteousness• Justification– Position in Christ gives this kind of righteousness– assuring the individual’s salvation•The Enemy constantly accuses us, but Posi- tional Righteousness assures God’s forgiveness•Sanctification– causes Practical Righteousness•Walking daily in growth/spirit/works prove that salvation has happened, without living right, Satan has more ammunition to attack us

Take Home!1. Our Breastplate of

Righteousness comes from what Christ has done for us on the cross, and in us everyday.

2. We need spiritual strength to wear the Breastplate of Righteousness in living sanctified lives.