Put on the Full Armor of God - Breastplate of Righteousness Allen Lo (Feb 19, 2017)

Ephesian 6:10-18 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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.

Ephesian 6:10-18 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

The Full Armor of God Belt of Truth Breastplate of Righteousness Feet prepared with the Gospel of Peace Shield of Faith Helmet of Salvation Sword of the Spirit

Review - Belt of Truth WHAT Belt of Truth is the word of God Foundation of our service WHY: Be not deceived by Satan Be always ready for the spiritual warfare HOW : Discipline yourself to study the Bible A life that shows the belt of truth is buckled on

Action : Belt of Truth Read through the Bible in ONE year Attend Sunday school to study God’s word systematically Memorize ONE Bible verse a day (or a week) READ -> STUDY -> MEMORIZE -> MEDITATE -> TEACH

Breastplate of Righteousness What Why How (Action)

Breastplate of Righteousness 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

What is righteousness? Self-righteousness Imputed righteousness Imparted righteousness (SANCTIFICATION)

Self-righteousness Self-righteousness My own righteousness that comes through my own efforts However, we cannot achieve God’s standard of righteousness (100%) by ourselves (righteousness of man vs. righteousness of God)

Self-righteousness Rom 3:23 (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom 3:10 (NIV) As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; “The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation” – Charles Spurgeon

Imputed righteousness Christ's righteousness that is given to me as a gift of God at the point of salvation The doctrine of Substitution Christ gets my sin and the wrath that I derserved I get His righteousness and the blessings that He earned When God looks at me now He doesn't see me as sinner

Imputed righteousness 2 Cor 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Sheep Me

Imputed righteousness Rom 3:21-22 (NIV) But now a righteousness FROM GOD, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (22) This righteousness FROM GOD comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. “My righteousness is just as good as Jesus' righteousness, because it IS Jesus' righteousness!” - E.W. Kenyon

Imparted righteousness Imparted righteousness (SANCTIFICATION) The power of the Holy Spirit working in me after I'm saved to produce a righteous lifestyle "Sanctification" comes from two Latin words: sanctus which means holy, and ficare which means make. So to sanctify means to make holy.  

Imparted righteousness Refers to a virtuous, upright, pure life Moment we are saved the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our life (indwell in us) The Holy Spirit begins to change us - Making our desires holy, empowering us to live those desires out “…Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” - Rom 15:16 

What is righteousness? Self-righteousness Imputed righteousness Imparted righteousness (SANCTIFICATION) Key Points: We cannot achieve righteousness by ourselves We can be made righteous through the blood of Crhist We need to live a righteous life by the power of the Holy Spirit

The Breastplate of Righteousness WHAT Self-righteousness Imputed righteousness Imparted righteousness (SANCTIFICATION) WHY: The Breastplate protect our heart Everything starts from our heart HOW : It gives us assurance from inside It promotes a true Christian life

Why breastplate of righteousness? The breastplate of a Roman Solider Protects the vital organ – Heart The spiritual breastplate Protects our heart Satan attacks our heart by….hurting us physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. Scripture uses heart to speak of everything that makes up a person

Why: Protect our Heart Key Point: Pro 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Pro 3:5 Trust tin he Lord with all thine heart… Deu 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  Key Point: Everything starts from our heart Salvation, trust, faith, Love, Worship, Service, Mission

The Breastplate of Righteousness WHAT Self-righteousness Imputed righteousness Imparted righteousness (SANCTIFICATION) WHY: The Breastplate protect our heart Everything starts from our heart HOW : It gives us assurance from inside It promotes a true Christian life

How it protects us? The breastplate protects us Key Point: By giving us assurance in times of failure By giving us assurance in times of no feeling By giving us assurance against an accusing conscience Key Point: The breastplate of righteousness gives us assurance from inside

How it promotes us? Righteousness promotes us Key Point: Peace with God Pleasing to God Testimony for God Key Point: The breastplate of righteousness promotes a true Christian life

The Breastplate of Righteousness WHAT Self-righteousness Imputed righteousness Imparted righteousness (SANCTIFICATION) WHY: The Breastplate protect our heart Everything starts from our heart HOW : It gives us assurance from inside It promotes a true Christian life

Action : Breastplate of Righteousness Admit that we cannot achieve righteousness by ourselves Accept Jesus Christ as our Lord who cleanse us from our sins Ask the Holy Spirit to help us live a righteous life everyday At school, at work, at home, at church Any place Any time Any person…