My intro:
This is sermon 60 of 67 in the series Armor of God. MLJ covered Ephesians 6:10-14 in the initial 60 sermons of this series. This is the last sermon on verse 14. I think he knew well what congregants needed, to have the word driven into them slowly and carefully over time.
I have listened to John MacArthur since I was converted in 2004, and know he carefully preaches through sermon texts, a verse at a time. But I never saw him preach 60 sermons on 4 verses from a single chapter.
Additionally, as MLJ herein emphasizes that a Christian must prepare for the destination of his journey (heaven), you will be reminded of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.
If you are an elderly Christian, you will find much direction and hope in this sermon. But younger Christians could gain reassessing and refocusing on the biblical goal given to all Christians….
The sermon of this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust, linked below:
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [KJV]
A Sermon on Ephesians 6.14 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book…
“Armor of God” playlist: • Introduction ― A Sermon on Ephesians …
“Set your affections on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. Set them. That’s putting on the breastplate of righteousness. You’ve got to set them as if you’re setting a compass, setting a clock. You’ve got to do this day by day. Deliberately set your affections.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Sermon Description [by MLJTrust]:
Christians are no longer servants of the world, but of God. They are God’s special people.
In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Marching Orders,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how they should view the world in light of their life in Christ.
It is important to realize that Christians are in the world but are not of it. Their citizenship is now in heaven, and the world is no longer their home. Because of this, they no longer focus on the temporary or materials things that do not last.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones moves on to focus on the importance of preparation: preparing for a place in heaven means casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armor of God.
It means spending time and energy on preparing for the future home rather than using it on the temporary home.
Lastly, Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon by focusing on the practical deductions of these truths. Most importantly, these truths need to be something that is practiced, not just things that are said. Preparing for a future home and living for God calls for action. He encourages living these truths out in daily life as the Christian walks with Christ.
Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]:
- The Christian is engaged in a mighty battle against spiritual powers and forces.
- Nothing is more important than putting on the whole armor of God.
- The girdle of truth is essential. Truth is the beginning and the end. Without truth, we cannot stand against the devil.
- We must have a right view of our life as Christian people in this present world. We are separate from the world.
- We must realize the world is against us. If we don’t realize the world hates us, there is a defect in our Christianity.
- We must have an active realization of the character of the place we are going – heaven. We must prepare for it. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
- We must realize God is light, and in Him is no darkness. If we walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth.
- Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means understanding ‘therefore’ in the New Testament epistles. We must apply the doctrine.
- Negatively, we must not walk as unbelievers; put off the old man; have no fellowship with darkness; do not be conformed to the world.
- Positively, we must put on the new man, present our bodies as living sacrifices, set our affections on things above, grow in grace, purify ourselves, and prepare for standing before God.
- We must realize all these things to withstand the devil. We must put on the breastplate of righteousness.
MLJTrust video-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/videos
Playlist-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/playlists