Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, June 13, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE PIECES OF THE ARMOR OF GOD: THE STERNUM COVERING (THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS)
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20
Text: Ephesians 6:14
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Introduction: God is looking for people who will stand in the gap in the hedge of protection that surrounds a country, a church, or a home.
In order to stand against the forces of spiritual darkness, we must put on the whole armor of God. One of the very important pieces of that armor is the breastplate of righteousness. Are you wearing yours? Did you put yours on this morning? If you didn’t, you are susceptible to Satan’s attacks this evening.
I’m calling tonight’s message:
THE PIECES OF THE ARMOR OF GOD THE STERNUM COVERING
(THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS)
Your sternum is your breastbone.
Consider with me four basic truths about the sternum covering, the breastplate of righteousness.
I. THE COMPOSITION OF THE BREASTPLATE
We are told that a Roman soldier’s breastplate was a single-piece, sleeveless piece of armor covering him from the neck to the waist. It may have been made of fabric or leather, on to which were sewn pieces of metal that were shaped to fit the soldier’s body.
The Christian soldier’s breastplate is composed of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
In 2 Corinthians 6:7 our armor is referred to as “the armour of righteousness.”
There is the righteousness of SALVATION, which is POSITIONAL or IMPUTED righteousness, obtained by faith, without works, in Jesus Christ.
This is the righteousness of SERVICE, which is PRACTICAL. This kind of righteousness covers the heart and protects it.
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
I believe some of the things to which we should pay most attention in order to protect our hearts are these:
A. The testimonies of God
1. Read them
2. Believe them
3. Meditate on them
4. Love them
B. Thinking that is holy
C. Talk that is holy
1. Spoken talk affects the heart (Matthew 15:11)
2. Heard talk affects the heart
II. THE COVERING IT OFFERS
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
A. For the breast
1. Heart – life, emotions, love
B. For the belly – food (Word of God)
1. An army travels on its stomach
III. THE COST OF NEGLECTING TO WEAR IT
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
1 Samuel 18:12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
A. Indigestion
1. One of my converts is in the hospital today, having tests run to see why he can’t eat. If he doesn’t eat, he will weaken until he dies.
2. In warfare, a “gut wound” can be fatal.
B. Irritation of the lungs
1. Breath – fullness of Holy Spirit
2. Following the Holy Spirit
3. Fruit-bearing by the Holy Spirit
C. Issues of life
1. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
IV. THE CHARGE TO THE SOLDIER CONCERNING THE BREASTPLATE
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
A. See the need
B. Strap it on (the context is all practical and dealing with the works of a Christian)
1. Obey the Word of God
C. Stand with it
D. Succeed with it!
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |