Check Your Breastplate!
VICTORY! Living a Bold & Victorious Life! • Sermon • Submitted
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Living a Bold & Victorious Life!
Check Your Breastplate!
Ephesians 6:10-14
Since we began services on January 3, 2021, we have been working in the last half of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. There he imparts instruction to the believers in Ephesus on how to live a Bold & Victorious Life in Jesus to the Glory of God! In beginning, Paul caught our attention with these words that are just as needed in the 21st Century as they were in the 1st Century.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV
You don’t have to be a Christian very long to figure out we are engaged in a spiritual battle. The enemy and his forces, we talked about that on January 10th, stands against everything that is holy and righteous and he seeks to defeat as many believers as possible. He knows it is a campaign he will never win, but he seeks to create as much damage among the ranks as he can.
Why? Because defeated Christians are no longer productive for the Lord. They are not making a difference in the lives of others, they are not living and sharing the Gospel. They are not advancing the Kingdom for the glory of our Lord. It is easy to understand why the enemy seeks our defeat.
In our last study together on January 17th, we found that as we walk in communion with our faithful and awesome God and receive instruction from His Word, He has provided the equipment we need to be successful in the battle and victorious in life. God let’s Paul reveal the armor all believers are to wear as they engage the enemy in battle.
To live as the overcomers God has called us to be, we must not only be familiar with the armor and weaponry but properly wear and utilize it if we are to overcome the adversary’s advance. His tactics may change, but our armor has been proven in battle across 2000 years! It is designed by our loving Lord and continues to be effective for the Christian. Every believer must be clothed in battle attire if they are to live a Bold & Victorious Life.
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,
Ephesians 6:10–14a ESV
Last week, we discussed the belt of Truth. Now, this piece of armor is not glamorous and may not even be noticed of others, but it is extremely important. In Paul’s day, Roman soldiers wore a girdle, or belt, around their waists that served numerous purposes.
⮚ It helped to secure the other pieces of armor.
⮚ It provided a measure of protection for the mid-section of the body and support for the back.
⮚ It secured the soldier’s flowing garment so his movement was unhindered in battle.
⮚The soldier’s sword was kept in the girdle.
It is imperative the soldier possess the girdle of truth. The enemy seeks to present and promote an agenda of lies. John 8:44—He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Our world today is filled with lies and deception. We must be clothed in truth. So, where does the soldier of Jesus obtain this belt of truth today; how is it made available to us? Christ our Lord is Truth, John 1:14; 14:6. We must walk with the Lord, receiving our strength and help in Him.
The Word of God is also Truth. John 17:17—Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. God’s Word stands as the measure and guide for our lives. It is final and absolute. We must be clothed in the truth of God’s Word if we are to endure.
⮚ Truth helps hold our lives together. Life without truth will eventually fall apart.
⮚ Truth protects against being tossed to and fro with the cares and deceit of life.
⮚ Truth aides our journey, helping us avoid pitfalls or being tripped up in battle.
If we are to overcome the enemy and enjoy spiritual victory, we must put on the girdle of truth.
John 8:31-32 ESV “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Now today, for the rest of our time together let’s concentrate on the Breastplate of Righteousness. It is the next element of armor Paul calls to our attention.
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:14b ESV
The breastplate covers your front and, in most cases, your back as well. It comes with a greaves (plates to cover your limbs). A light shirt of leather is worn beneath the breastplate and protects your limbs without restricting movement much. It is worn around the torso of the body. Some breastplates covered an area from the neck to the thighs. It served to protect the vital organs of the body, specifically the heart.
We know the heart is essential to physical life. It is also essential to your spiritual health. Solomon gave this wise advice, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 ESV
The heart is often associated with the righteousness of life. The believer’s heart is focused upon Christ our Savior, and we must guard the heart against all assaults. Satan is known as the accuser of the brethren. He seeks anything he can find to bring against us. In order to overcome such accusation, we must be clothed in righteousness, guarding our hearts from his advance. Having the breastplate of righteousness is our only hope.
Speaking of the believer’s righteousness, I want to mention a couple aspects of the believer’s righteousness. We possess:
A. Positional Righteousness—This is the righteousness we have in Christ. It is not what we have done but what Jesus has done! By virtue of salvation, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ our Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:21—For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
I stand righteous before God because of Christ’s righteousness being imputed to my account. His righteousness will never fail. Regardless of the duration or intensity of the battle, the righteousness of Christ will prevail.
Our positional righteousness is not a piece of armor the Christian puts on, for the saved are clothed with it from the moment of salvation, and that never changes. Wherever we are, wherever we go, we enter the battle bearing the righteousness of Christ. It never leaves us. That brings peace to my heart. I am often weak in the flesh and the enemy is strong. In the heat of battle, while we are prone to stumble and fall, Satan is never able to penetrate the righteousness of Christ.
I have been adopted into the family of God. I am counted righteous because of Christ my Savior. I may lose a battle with the adversary now and again, but His righteousness always prevails.
B. Practical Righteousness—This is another mater all together and it deals with the breastplate we talk about today. As soldiers for the Lord, we are expected to live our lives in light of His holiness.
The life we live either fortifies us against Satan’s attacks or makes it easier for him to defeat us. When Satan accuses the Christian, it is the righteousness of Christ that assures the believer of his salvation. But our positional righteousness in Christ, without practical righteousness in the daily life, only gives Satan opportunity to attack us.
The enemy is relentless in his efforts to defeat us, but we can avoid some battles by guarding our hearts. Living holy and upright before the Lord will protect us in the battle. It will preserve our witness and ability to share Christ effectively. The enemy may roar, but a pure life will be above reproach.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 ESV 1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
When our hearts are not right with the Lord due to sin, we lose our joy and zeal for service. The passion for Christ is not there as it should be. Often we lose our desire to pray and read the Word of God. Failing to wear the breastplate of righteousness is detrimental to the success and wellbeing of the soldier. Make certain it is worn and placed properly.
I’m sorry for the wrong things I’ve done. Please forgive me. I believe your Son died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead, and because of this I will enter into heaven when I die. Jesus, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I willingly give you my life. Father help me by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to obey your will and live for you all my life. Thank you again for saving me! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.