The sermon in this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust: playlist page: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/playlists
MLJ’s series on the Armor of God presently contains 67 sermons; this sermon is the last one on verse 14. It is different than the others I have posted and very worthy of careful attention. If you have more time today, consider hearing the sermon in addition to reading the narrative below.
Scriptures noted by MLJTrust when they wrote the sermon breakdown are pasted in for those who would like to review them.
A Sermon on Ephesians 6.14 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book…
“Armor of God” playlist: • Introduction ― A Sermon on Ephesians …
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. And what that means is this, there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus now and never will be and never can be.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Ephesians 6.14
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…
Sermon Description [by MLJTrust]:
In the Christian life, one must fight a daily battle against the accusations of the devil. How then do they fight against these accusations and respond by living in the truth of the Bible?
When Satan tries to distract and condemn them with their imperfections, failures, and unworthiness, how do they respond in a way that keeps their focus on God and not themselves?
In this sermon on Ephesians 6.14 titled “Putting on the Breastplate,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how the breastplate of righteousness protects the Christian from these accusations by reminding them of who they are in Christ Jesus.
When the devil whispers to the Christian that they are not worthy enough to pray or enter into the presence of a holy God, the breastplate of righteousness reminds them that they have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus through faith.
When Satan points to the failures and mistakes of one’s past, making forgiveness feel impossible, the breastplate of righteousness reminds them that they have been forgiven of their sins and God’s holy righteousness covers them.
The devil tries to put the Christian in a state of condemnation, while the breastplate of righteousness keeps them from guilt and shame by showing that they are a new creation in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]:
- The sermon is focused on Ephesians 6:14 which talks about the breastplate of righteousness.
- The breastplate protects vital areas like the heart, emotions, conscience, desires and will. It provides confidence and assurance.
- It refers to justification by faith and sanctification.
- The breastplate protects us from the devil’s accusations when we pray. We can answer the devil by quoting Romans 5:1-2 and Hebrews 4:14-16.
- The breastplate protects us from the devil’s accusations when we sin. We can answer the devil by quoting 1 John 1:6-2:2 and Romans 8:1.
- The breastplate protects us from the devil’s accusations as we die. We can answer the devil by quoting John 5:24 and Romans 8:31-39.
- We must always rely on the breastplate of righteousness and never depart from it.
- The hymn ‘Jesus, Thy Robe of Righteousness’ sums up the message of relying on Christ’s righteousness.
- [This hymn pasted in below with lyrics for your singing, via a link to another post in this blog.]
SCRIPTURES NOTED IN ABOVE MLJTRUST POINTS:
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [NKJV]
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hymn: Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness [click ‘continue reading’ to access hymn]: