In this Sermon Series, we will be exploring "the full armor of God" that is described in Ephesians 6, why each piece is needed, and how to better live a victorious Christian life in a world full of darkness.

Ephesians 6: 13-14 13 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place”

Righteousness (Greek - dikaiosuna) The New Testament uses the term, in one way or another, no less than 228 times. The word “righteous” goes back to a base word meaning “move in a straight line.” Therefore, “righteous” (rightwise) means “in the straight (or right) way.” Used with reference to morality, “righteous” means living or acting in the right way.

to the heart, lungs, liver and other vital organs. A Greek word sometimes used to describe this piece of equipment literally translates as “heart protector”…and that was the main purpose of the breastplate: to give protection to the heart, lungs, liver and other vital organs.

The breastplate of a Roman soldier was typically made of bronze or iron, backed with leather, but some of the more wealthy officers wore a coat of chain mail. The leather backing would attach to the belt to keep it in place.

for protecting the heart and emotions The Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness are mentioned together intentionally because they work together for protecting the heart and emotions of a Christian as they “stand firm”.

Proverbs 4:23 Proverbs 13:6a “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” ----------------------------------- Proverbs 13:6a “Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless”

we are offered through Jesus’ death The type of righteousness that Paul is writing about is “practical righteousness”, not the “imputed righteousness” that we are offered through Jesus’ death on the cross for our justification.

1 Peter 2:24 [Jesus] himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.”

“It is the breastplate of righteousness which covers my heart and declares me justified before God.” - Alistair Begg

The Tale of the Chickens with Red Ribbons

Ephesians 4: 22-24 22 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Isaiah 61:10 “I delight greatly in the Lord;     my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation     and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,     and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

live in a way that is unrighteous or We don’t “take off” the imputed righteousness of Christ once we have accepted it, but we can choose to live in a way that is unrighteous or also doubt in the sufficiency of Christ.

“…let your light shine before others, The Breastplate of Righteousness, which is provided for us in Jesus, is made real in our lives as we live out our faith each day. Like a true breastplate, our righteous deeds should be visible to the world. “…let your light shine before others,  that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)