Breastplate of Righteousness

Good Morning and welcome as we begin week 3 of our sermon series entitled “Body Armor.” Two weeks ago Pastor Jeff talked about the Spiritual Battle that takes place all around us, in the spiritual realm… in the places we cannot yet see, but affects us none the less in every part of our lives. And last week we addressed how Jesus followers can deal with the unseen forces that are at work in our world by fastening the Belt of Truth.

The basis for the series comes from Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 through 20 where the Apostle Paul introduces us to the Whole Armor of God. We learned from these verses the Armor of God is:

-the belt of truth

-the breastplate of righteousness

-the shoes of gospel of peace

-the shield of faith

-the helmet of salvation

-the Sword of the Spirit

-and Praying always in the spirit

But the outline for the Series comes from Dr. Rick Stedman’s book Entitled “Praying the Whole Armor of God.” Dr. Stedman lays out a way to put on God’s body armor with a daily focus on the differing parts of the armor through prayer. The first letter of each key word for the daily focus aligns with the first letter for the day of the week…. which aids in memorization.

So… On Sunday – the focus is to Strap on the Belt of Truth. There you’ll notice the “s” in strap and in Sunday.

and Monday its to Make Fast the Breastplate of Righteousness … here you see the “m” for make and for Monday…..

Tuesday - Tread in the Shoes of Peace

Wednesday - Wield the Shield of Faith

Thursday - Think Within the Helmet of Salvation

Friday - Fight with the Sword of the Spirit

And finally, Saturday - Steadfastly Pray in the Spirit

And this is the way our sermon series is set up. And this week we’ll talk about the need to “put on” the Breastplate of Righteousness, which is Monday in Dr. Stedman’s daily list.

Before we get going and with all seriousness, there is something we all need to realize and not ignore…. we must realize that we ARE in a spiritual battle… there is a spiritual battle going on in this world between the righteous and the unrighteous – between the evil one and the demons against God’s angels. And as believers in Christ Jesus we are soldiers in this battle. We are in a battle….. And the battle has been raging long before you and I arrived on the scene. And the battle affects us personally, and spiritually, and mentally, and physically, and affects those we love.

We should know and understand that angels are real, and the devil exists, and demons exists …. And the latter two were once angels in heaven. The angels that were thrown down or forcefully removed from heaven as seen in

We should know and understand that angels are real, and the devil exists, and demons exists …. And the latter two were once angels in heaven. The angels that were thrown down or forcefully removed from heaven as seen in are the soldiers in spiritual battle and have been ever since satan rebelled against God. And satan is doing everything he can to thwart God and keep people from knowing God and being saved from their sins. And to keep God’s people from being effective in the ministry that we are here to do to the glory of God. The struggles, trials, and tribulations are a result of the spiritual battle going on in the unseen world.

You should also know that Victory has already been achieved! …the war has already been won!!! The war has already been won because of what Jesus did on the Cross and His resurrection!! Amen!!! And the evil one and the demons know it and know their time is short….

Revelation chapter 12 verse 9

So… I have a few sayings or quotes that you may or may not have heard at some point in your life and some of you may have said these very things or continue to say them to this day….. and here is the first….

are the soldiers in spiritual battle and have been ever since satan rebelled against God. And satan is doing everything he can to thwart God and keep people from knowing God and being saved from their sins. And to keep God’s people from being effective in the ministry that we are here to do to the glory of God. The struggles, trials, and tribulations are a result of the spiritual battle going on in the unseen world.

1. Follow your heart (unknown author)

You should also know that Victory has already been achieved! …the war has already been won!!! The war has already been won because of what Jesus did on the Cross and His resurrection!! Amen!!! And the evil one and the demons know it and know their time is short….

2. Let your heart be your guide (Energy Positive)

So… I have a few sayings or quotes that you may or may not have heard at some point in your life and some of you may have said these very things or continue to say them to this day….. and here is the first….

3. Follow your heart regardless of what others tell you to do, it’s how you feel at the end of the day that matters (iliketoquote.com)

1. Follow your heart (unknown author)

2. Let your heart be your guide (Energy Positive)

4. Its easy to fool the eye, but its hard to fool the heart (Al Pacino)

5. The cost of not following your heart is spending the rest of your life wishing you had. (simplereminders.com)

3. Follow your heart regardless of what others tell you to do, it’s how you feel at the end of the day that matters (iliketoquote.com)

6. Dare to believe that good things are possible when you follow your heart (Bryant McGill)

4. Its easy to fool the eye, but its hard to fool the heart (Al Pacino)

7. Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires (lifehack.com)

5. The cost of not following your heart is spending the rest of your life wishing you had. (simplereminders.com)

8. Follow your passions, follow your heart, and the things you need will come (Elizabeth Taylor)

6. Dare to believe that good things are possible when you follow your heart (Bryant McGill)

9. Follow your heart and listen when it speaks to you. (Susanna Tamaro)

7. Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires (lifehack.com)

And last…10. Break the rules, stand apart, ignore your head, and follow your heart (Paula Abdul)

8. Follow your passions, follow your heart, and the things you need will come (Elizabeth Taylor)

Those seem like some wonderful words, and quotes and sayings filled with wisdom, don’t they?

9. Follow your heart and listen when it speaks to you. (Susanna Tamaro)

People genuinely feel that following your heart is the way to go about life… because the heart never lies…. Do whatever your heart tells you…. the heart will never lead you astray. Don’t be unhappy in your relationships and follow your heart….

And last…10. Break the rules, stand apart, ignore your head, and follow your heart (Paula Abdul)

Those seem like some wonderful words, and quotes and sayings filled with wisdom, don’t they?

Some believe that all people are generally good – they have a good heart - and children are pure and have a pure heart ….. and the goal of doing good things is to make yourself feel good. It’s what you get out of helping others that is important. It’s what you do from the heart and the wonderful feeling you get from helping others is all that is important and its fulfilling.

You see through the quotes and sayings and the things I just stated that the heart must be good… the heart must be true…. the heart must be pure…. But that is not entirely true…. And we see the heart is not necessarily good…. We see this in God’s word….. we see in “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” We also see it in where Jesus said “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness,deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

People genuinely feel that following your heart is the way to go about life… because the heart never lies…. Do whatever your heart tells you…. the heart will never lead you astray. Don’t be unhappy in your relationships and follow your heart….

The heart is no good…. The heart will lie to you…. the heart will take you off in directions you should not go…. Take you places you should not be….. it’ll make you do things you should not do….. but yet the world says to follow your heart….. the evil one has deceived people and twisted things for the purpose of keeping people from Lord Jesus… in the spiritual battles the evil one seeks to steer people away from trusting Jesus and serving our Savior…. The evil ones says trust your heart instead of trusting Jesus…. the evil twists things to make them seem right, and true, and wise…. satan twists God’s word and here is an example…. one that comes across as biblical….. “Follow your heart, never surrender your dreams, always believe in yourself, and let God do the rest.” (BibleGod Quotes.com). Should we let God handle the left-over parts? Let God handle things after you follow your heart … or pursue your dreams…. Or Believe in yourself…. Should we handle everything and let God do the rest? Does that seem right? Give God your left-overs?? The answer is NO!! and Here’s what the Bible says….. from “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

Here we learn to trust and seek God and He will keep you on His path!

Some believe that all people are generally good – they have a good heart - and children are pure and have a pure heart ….. and the goal of doing good things is to make yourself feel good. It’s what you get out of helping others that is important. It’s what you do from the heart and the wonderful feeling you get from helping others is all that is important and its fulfilling.

You see through the quotes and sayings and the things I just stated that the heart must be good… the heart must be true…. the heart must be pure…. But that is not entirely true…. And we see the heart is not necessarily good…. We see this in God’s word….. we see in

And from “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” Here we learn not to trust yourself…instead live your life in God’s ways……

Jeremiah chapter 17 verse 9

And “For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” And from . “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” In these last 2 verses we learn that we just end up like nothing as we pursue our desires and its God alone who can deliver us from our sins … all for His glory!

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” We also see it in

Jesus doesn’t say to follow your heart and do what you think is right – as satan would like you to believe…. Instead God says in - “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. And – “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” And in - “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” God says Deny yourself…. give Him your heart… do what He says… and if we belong to Him we will not seek to do what we want but instead do what He wants.

Mark chapter 7 verses 20 to 23

So…we are not to trust our heart and follow our heart…. Jesus said in - “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

where Jesus said “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness,deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Jesus said seek Him … His kingdom….. His righteousness….

The heart is no good…. The heart will lie to you…. the heart will take you off in directions you should not go…. Take you places you should not be….. it’ll make you do things you should not do….. but yet the world says to follow your heart….. the evil one has deceived people and twisted things for the purpose of keeping people from Lord Jesus… in the spiritual battles the evil one seeks to steer people away from trusting Jesus and serving our Savior…. The evil ones says trust your heart instead of trusting Jesus…. the evil twists things to make them seem right, and true, and wise…. satan twists God’s word and here is an example…. one that comes across as biblical….. “Follow your heart, never surrender your dreams, always believe in yourself, and let God do the rest.” (BibleGod Quotes.com). Should we let God handle the left-over parts? Let God handle things after you follow your heart … or pursue your dreams…. Or Believe in yourself…. Should we handle everything and let God do the rest? Does that seem right? Give God your left-overs?? The answer is NO!! and Here’s what the Bible says….. from

Instead of following your heart and being deceived by it.… you should protect your heart from deception by putting on God’s Body Armor… another piece of His armor… the piece designed to protect your heart…. The Breastplate of Righteousness….

And as mentioned last week and earlier, the Whole Armor of God comes from Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10-20. Let’s open our Bibles, phone apps, or whatever you use to read the Bible - to the new testament book of Ephesians and go to chapter 6 verses 10 to 20… or you can follow along on the screen….. and it reads… starting in verse 10 “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 to 7

We see at the end of verse 14 “and having put on the breastplate of righteousness”. You notice breastplate is the second piece of armor to put on…. It’s put on after the belt of truth is fastened. You fasten God’s truth around you, then you put on God’s righteousness….. God is our focus and we fasten and put on the things of God when we put on His armor.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

Now I’d like to remind you that the Apostle Paul, as guided along by the Holy Spirit, is the writer of the letter to the Ephesian church and we should keep in mind the context from which Paul was writing… it was the time of the Romans - so think in those terms – think of the roman soldier as we describe the breastplate. The breastplate, as seen in the slide, was a sleeveless, tough, segmented piece of metal or iron, and cloth and leather that was sewn together and designed to cover and protect the soldier’s full torso…. To cover and protect the soldier’s vital organs… the breastplate protects the stomach, intestines, the liver, kidneys, the lungs, and… it protects the heart. You’ll notice from the slide picture that the breastplate covers the whole torso of the soldier… it covers the front, the back and the slides…. It even covers the shoulders. Like its wrapped around the soldier…. When you think of the breastplate going all the way around the upper body…. Think of it as God’s holiness…. God’s righteousness covering you…. cover you all the way around….. covering your vital organs…… covering your heart….

Here we learn to trust and seek God and He will keep you on His path!

And from

God’s holiness…His righteousness is a distinctive characteristic of who God is….. God’s holiness can be defined as the absolute value, beauty, utter perfection, purity, and excellence of God.... He acts, He feels, He thinks out of His holiness..... Righteousness is the standard for His action, His thinking, His feeling...... God is the standard for what is right.... for all that is right… and perfect.... and pure…and excellent.....

So it makes complete and utter sense that the Jesus follower needs that distinctive part of God to cover them as they live out their lives here on earth…. As soldiers in God’s army…. In the spiritual battle we find ourselves in…. to protect us from the schemes of the evil one…. To protect the heart from the deceitful tactics of satan….. the Jesus follower needs God’s spiritual breastplate of His righteousness each and every second of every day to protect them from evil….. without God’s breastplate of righteousness…… the Jesus follower is left vulnerable to succumb to the deceitful, lying, and cheating heart….. the lies of the evil one…. the deceitful schemes of the devil and attacks of demons….. We need God’s breastplate of righteousness to protect us… to protect our heart…. The very heart we are supposed to give to God in Christ Jesus as we deny ourselves and follow God’s commands.… as we love Him, love others, and love one another.

So what are some things we can do to put on God’s Breastplate of Righteousness? Let’s go back and look at some of the scripture we read previously….

verse 26

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” Here we learn not to trust yourself…instead live your life in God’s ways……

1. Recognize that your heart can lead you astray…. Remember “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

2. Give your heart to God – read His word and do what it says… remember – “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

And

James chapter 1 verse 11

3. Don’t rely on yourself in the spiritual battle…don’t think you can outsmart the evil one…. instead Love God and trust that He will protect you from all evil…. Remember “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

“For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” And from verse 15 “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” In these last 2 verses we learn that we just end up like nothing as we pursue our desires and its God alone who can deliver us from our sins … all for His glory!

The Breastplate of Righteousness God’s righteousness… it’s His armor….. His righteousness protects our hearts as we, as Jesus followers, seek to live a righteous life in Jesus trying to become more like Him each day! Amen!

Jesus doesn’t say to follow your heart and do what you think is right – as satan would like you to believe…. Instead God says in

Now I ask the band to come back up on stage while we pray…. We’ll pray the prayer from Dr. Stedman’s book, Praying the Armor of God, that is located at the end of the chapter on the Breastplate of Righteousness……

(prayer....see page 34 and 35 from the book)

Luke chapter 9 verse 23

- “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. And

verse 26

– “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” And in Galatians chapter 5 verse 24

- “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” God says Deny yourself…. give Him your heart… do what He says… and if we belong to Him we will not seek to do what we want but instead do what He wants.

So…we are not to trust our heart and follow our heart…. Jesus said in

Matthew chapter 6 verse 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Jesus said seek Him … His kingdom….. His righteousness….

Instead of following your heart and being deceived by it.… you should protect your heart from deception by putting on God’s Body Armor… another piece of His armor… the piece designed to protect your heart…. The Breastplate of Righteousness….

And as mentioned last week and earlier, the Whole Armor of God comes from Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 to 20. Let’s open our Bibles, phone apps, or whatever you use to read the Bible - to the new testament book of Ephesians and go to chapter 6 verses 10 to 20… or you can follow along on the screen….. and it reads… starting in verse 10 “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

We see at the end of verse 14 “and having put on the breastplate of righteousness”. You notice breastplate is the second piece of armor to put on…. It’s put on after the belt of truth is fastened. You fasten God’s truth around you, then you put on God’s righteousness….. God is our focus and we fasten and put on the things of God when we put on His armor.

Now I’d like to remind you that the Apostle Paul, as guided along by the Holy Spirit, is the writer of the letter to the Ephesian church and we should keep in mind the context from which Paul was writing… it was the time of the Romans - so think in those terms – think of the roman soldier as we describe the breastplate. The breastplate, as seen in the slide, was a sleeveless, tough, segmented piece of metal or iron, and cloth and leather that was sewn together and designed to cover and protect the soldier’s full torso…. To cover and protect the soldier’s vital organs… the breastplate protects the stomach, intestines, the liver, kidneys, the lungs, and… it protects the heart. You’ll notice from the slide picture that the breastplate covers the whole torso of the soldier… it covers the front, the back and the slides…. It even covers the shoulders. Like its wrapped around the soldier…. When you think of the breastplate going all the way around the upper body…. Think of it as God’s holiness…. God’s righteousness covering you…. cover you all the way around….. covering your vital organs…… covering your heart….

God’s holiness…His righteousness is a distinctive characteristic of who God is….. God’s holiness can be defined as the absolute value, beauty, utter perfection, purity, and excellence of God.... He acts, He feels, He thinks out of His holiness..... Righteousness is the standard for His action, His thinking, His feeling...... God is the standard for what is right.... for all that is right… and perfect.... and pure…and excellent.....

So it makes complete and utter sense that the Jesus follower needs that distinctive part of God to cover them as they live out their lives here on earth…. As soldiers in God’s army…. In the spiritual battle we find ourselves in…. to protect us from the schemes of the evil one…. To protect the heart from the deceitful tactics of satan….. the Jesus follower needs God’s spiritual breastplate of His righteousness each and every second of every day to protect them from evil….. without God’s breastplate of righteousness…… the Jesus follower is left vulnerable to succumb to the deceitful, lying, and cheating heart….. the lies of the evil one…. the deceitful schemes of the devil and attacks of demons….. We need God’s breastplate of righteousness to protect us… to protect our heart…. The very heart we are supposed to give to God in Christ Jesus as we deny ourselves and follow God’s commands.… as we love Him, love others, and love one another.

So what are some things we can do to put on God’s Breastplate of Righteousness? Let’s go back and look at some of the scripture we read previously….

1. Recognize that your heart can lead you astray…. Remember

Jeremiah chapter 17 verse 9

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

2. Give your heart to God – read His word and do what it says… remember verse 26

– “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

3. Don’t rely on yourself in the spiritual battle…don’t think you can outsmart the evil one…. instead Love God and trust that He will protect you from all evil…. Remember verses 5 to 7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

The Breastplate of Righteousness God’s righteousness… it’s His armor….. His righteousness protects our hearts as we, as Jesus followers, seek to live a righteous life in Jesus trying to become more like Him each day! Amen!

Now I ask the band to come back up on stage while we pray…. We’ll pray the prayer from Dr. Stedman’s book, Praying the Armor of God, that is located at the end of the chapter on the Breastplate of Righteousness……

(prayer....see page 34 and 35 from the book)