1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14b
The Armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-20
Spiritual warfare is real and we must be prepared for it or we will be casualties

3. The Armor of God Ephesians 6:10-17
The pieces of armor described are those worn by the Roman foot soldier.

10. The Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14b
Because truth about God is so foundational it is the primary target of the devil’s lies and slanders
Truth must be continually applied to all the various facets of your life
We must be grounded in truth or we will be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine

11. The breastplate protected the vital organs within the thorax.

12. The Protection of a Breastplate
Jewish culture used internal organs to describe the emotions, thought and choice
Bowels = compassion / tender mercies (Psalm 69:16)
Heart = seat of volition / choice (Proverbs 4:4; Matthew 15:18-19)
Kidneys (reins - KJV) = mind or “inner man” (Proverbs 23:16)

13. The Protection of a Breastplate
The breastplate of righteousness protects the mind, emotions and will
Feelings are easily manipulated to get you to do something you might not otherwise do

14. The Nature of Righteousness
Righteousness, like truth, is not something humans can manufacture and establish
Man has no righteousness of his own
Isaiah 64:6;
Titus 3:5

15. The Nature of Righteousness
In believing the gospel we have righteousness imputed to us Corinthians 5:17-21
Isaiah 61:10
1 Corinthians 1:30
Christ’s imputed righteousness allows us to stand in God’s presence & is a defense against the devil

16. The Protection of Imputed Righteousness
Concerning salvation, it counteracts Satan’s lie that you have to be good first in order to be saved
Salvation is based on the mercy and grace of God which imputes to you the righteousness of Christ
Those concerned about the “unforgivable sin” have not done it.

17. The Protection of Imputed Righteousness
Concerning prayer, it counteracts Satan’s lies that keep you away from God
The righteousness of Christ allows us to come boldly before God’s throne of grace - Hebrews 4:15, 10:19

18. The Protection of Imputed Righteousness
Concerning sins after salvation, it gives confidence that we have not lost our salvation
Sin breaks fellowship with God and removes confidence in prayer - Psalm 66:18
Confession of sin restores a Christian’s fellowship with God - 1 John 1:9

19. Protection of Imparted Righteousness
Imparted righteousness is the practical expression of striving to live daily in obedience to God
Imputed righteousness makes imparted (practical) righteousness possible
Christ's sacrifice of Himself is sufficient to cleanse us from all sin and bring forgiveness – Hebrews 10

20. Protection of Imparted Righteousness
Our changed standing before God is to result in a changed manner of living
Defiant or presumptuous sin disparages Christ which is inconsistent with being a Christian

21. Practical Righteousness
Practical righteousness protects from the temptations of sin - 1 John 2:15-16; 1 Cor. 10:13
Adultery - Job 31:31
A sharp or angry tongue - James 1:20; Proverbs 15:18
Lying and manipulation - John 14:6; John 17:17; Matthew 6:10

22. Practical Righteousness
Pride and boasting - 1 Peter 5:5-6
Laziness and slothfulness - Ephesians 4:16
Self-control - Galatians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 9:25
The world has little attraction for those pursuing holiness

23. Practical Righteousness
Practical righteousness keeps us from being despondent in persecution
The Christian can be joyful even in persecution - Matthew 5:11-12; Philippians 3:8-10
Practical righteousness can bring contentment in every circumstance of life - Philippians 4

24. Practical Righteousness
Christians that live in ongoing sin will be the most miserable of all people
Their life is shallow and its purpose is unfulfilled and without eternal reward - 1 Cor. 3:12-15
They will have the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit - cf. Gal. 5:22-23
They will be chastened by God - or they are illegitimate - Hebrews 12:5-11

25. Conclusions
The breastplate of righteousness protects us from Satan’s devices to deceive our emotions and thinking to cause wrong choices.

26. Conclusions
Do you have your breastplate on?
Are you relying on the imputed righteousness of Christ?
Are you living in practical righteousness?

27. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ