1. 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.

2. 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”

3. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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”.

8. 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”

9. 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.

10. 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.”

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

12. The Tale of the Chickens
with Red Ribbons

13. 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.”

14. 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.”

15. 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.

16. “…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)