The Breastplate Of Righteousness
Prison Epistles: Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings...
Together as we have traveled through the book of Ephesians we have journeyed with God in examining the “Glorious Church Of Christ.”
We have seen that the “glorious church of Christ” was in the eternal plans of the Father.
We have studied of the great dangers of being outside of His church and dire need of being in it and apart of it.
We have come to know the importance of not only the eternally planned blood bought church but the Law that was created to govern it and the beautiful unity it created.
We have witnessed in our studies how proper leadership will guide those that are “new in Christ” to walk “not in futility of mind” but “according to truth and love, sacrifice and submission.”
Paul then, in our text, begins to explain how one stays strong and firm in such endeavors.
How husbands, wives, children, masters, slaves, and everyone else can walk according to truth and love, sacrifice and submission.
It’s with the special armor God made just for us.
Last week we examined the first piece of this special armor, the Belt of Truth.
Today we look at the second piece to this special armor made for by God…The Breastplate of Righteousness.
Today we look at the first peace in this special armor...”The Belt of Truth.”
The Breastplate Of Righteousness
The Breastplate Of Righteousness
“Having put on” is a significant point.
“Having put on” is a significant point.
There is no way this piece of armor can help if we aren’t wearing it.
In January of 2011 the New York Post wrote a story about a 20 year old British solider named Ben Ralph. His battalion, while in Afghanistan, came under fire from six Taliban members who were shooting from three different sides. Mr. Ralph was shot five times. Once in the back and side while two hit his ammunition pouches and another tore through his pants. Eventually Mr. Ralph’s battalion defeated the Taliban fighters but as Mr. Ralph described the situation he said, “Someone was looking out for me that day” and “If it wasn’t for my body armor I would be dead.” 1.
Breastplate
Breastplate
Roman army breastplate.
Roman army breastplate.
During battle there were two places on the body considered necessary to cover and protect at all times.
That was the head and the body because both are vulnerable regions that if wounded could end the life of the one injured.
Concerning the construction of the Roman breastplate armor the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary stated it had a...
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Arms and Armor
Fish scalelike construction of small metal plates sewn to cloth or leather was the breastplate for the ancient soldier. These scales could number as high as 700 to 1000 per “coat.”
This armor was meant to save the lives of those that wore it!!!
Righteousness defined by Scripture.
Righteousness defined by Scripture.
The word righteousness, in the Bible, literally translates out as “right doing.”
“the character or quality of being right or just”
When it comes to “righteousness” there are two uses of this word in connection with God.
First, the righteousness “of” God which is simply God’s faithfulness, truthfulness, and all such attributes that are connected to His very nature.
The righteousness of God is simply “His” faithfulness, truthfulness, and all such that is connected to His very nature.
In other words…God always does what is right and just.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Second, the righteousness “from” God which is God making us right through the forgiveness of sins.
In we find Paul pointing to both kinds of righteousness.
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Paul would again demonstrate this point to the church in Philippi.
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
When it comes to “righteousness” there is only one that is connected to us, the creation.
We are told to humble ourselves and practice righteousness that comes forth from God through His Word.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
When we put on the breastplate of righteousness we are
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Summery
Summery
When we “put on” the breastplate of righteousness we are putting on consistent obedience to the Law of Christ.
Just like the roman soldiers breastplate would protect him, all the more God’s special armor piece in the breastplate will protect us, which brings us to our next point.
Our Protection With The Breastplate
Our Protection With The Breastplate
Righteousness robs Satan of our weaknesses.
Righteousness robs Satan of our weaknesses.
Putting on the new righteous behavior in our lives will keep Satan at bay.
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
Doing the right thing robs Satan of his ability to exploit our weakness.
When Joseph fled Potiphar’s wife he cut Satan’s opportunity to tempt him off.
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Righteousness robs Satan of our weaknesses.
Righteousness robs Satan of his arsenal.
Righteousness robs Satan of his arsenal.
Satan has always attacked us through our fleshly lusts which is why Peter says take away Satan’s arsenal.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
How do we “abstain from the lusts/passions of the flesh?”
By make captive our every thought for righteousness sake.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
By casting off darkness and walking in the light.
12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Daniel is a great example one that “robbed Satan of his arsenal.”
Remember in when his enemies sought to find “fault with him” but could “find no charge.”
Daniel had the faith or courage to do what was right no matter what which is what Paul was getting at in .
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
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Righteousness robs Satan of his arsenal.
Righteousness protects our conscience.
Righteousness protects our conscience.
When we live righteous lives it protects us from a troubled and hardened conscience.
Many emotional and relationship problems in God’s children can be caused by a lack of personal holiness and self control.
After David fornicated and murdered he had no peace and as seen in .
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
A conscience that remains true and sensitive to God helps us fight against sin.
20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
Righteousness protects our conscience.
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Summery
Summery
The breastplate of righteousness will protect us because it robs Satan of his power against us.
Conclusion
Conclusion
When we “put on” this powerful piece of special God made armor we stand a chance against the most formidable foe we have.
It will protect us against the schemes and traps of the deceiver.
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
The Breastplate of Righteousness sermon (https://southsidechurchofchrist.com/sermons/the-breastplate-of-righteousness.html)
Holman Illustrated Bible Diction (logos) under Arms and Armor