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Sermon #4244

Marching Orders

A Sermon on Ephesians 6:14

Originally preached May 13, 1962

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Scripture

Ephesians 6:14 ESV KJV
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (ESV)

Sermon Description

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 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 practices, 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 lives as the Christian walks with Christ.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The Christian is engaged in a mighty battle against spiritual powers and forces.
  2. Nothing is more important than putting on the whole armor of God.
  3. The girdle of truth is essential. Truth is the beginning and the end. Without truth, we cannot stand against the devil.
  4. We must have a right view of our life as Christian people in this present world. We are separate from the world.
  5. We must realize the world is against us. If we don't realize the world hates us, there is a defect in our Christianity.
  6. 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.
  7. We must realize God is light, and in Him is no darkness. If we walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth.
  8. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means understanding 'therefore' in the New Testament epistles. We must apply the doctrine.
  9. Negatively, we must not walk as unbelievers, put off the old man, have no fellowship with darkness, not be conformed to the world.
  10. 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.
  11. We must realize all these things to withstand the devil. We must put on the breastplate of righteousness.

Sermon Q&A

What is the Breastplate of Righteousness According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Ephesians 6:14, the breastplate of righteousness is a vital part of the Christian's spiritual armor. Here's an in-depth look at what it means and how to apply it.

What does putting on the breastplate of righteousness mean practically?

According to Lloyd-Jones, putting on the breastplate of righteousness means "to take the great doctrinal teaching of the New Testament and put it into practice, apply it." This involves:

  1. Realizing we are new people in Christ - "alive from the dead, alive unto God"
  2. Understanding why Christ died for us - "He died that we might be forgiven. Yes, but he died to make us good"
  3. Recognizing our new position as "servants of God and of righteousness" rather than servants of sin
  4. Fighting in a new way - "no longer after the flesh, but after the spirit"

How should Christians view the world according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christians must have "a right view of our life as christian people in this present world." This includes:

  • Understanding we are "God's people and therefore a separate people"
  • Recognizing that we are "in the world but not of it"
  • Acknowledging that "the whole organization of the life of this world at this moment is against us as Christians"
  • Remembering that "our citizenship is in heaven" and we are "strangers and pilgrims" here

He warns: "If you walk out and say, isn't life wonderful? Isn't the world wonderful? And if you're interested in this world and controlled by it, you're doomed to failure."

How does a Christian prepare for heaven while living on earth?

Lloyd-Jones stresses the importance of preparing for our eternal destination:

"The Christian is a man who realizes that he's making for that city. The chief ambition of a Christian is to enter through those gates and to begin to partake of that tree of life forever and forever."

This preparation involves: - Keeping our eyes on eternity - "Our salvation is nearer than when we believed" - Understanding that "God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all" - Living accordingly - "If we say that we have fellowship with him and at the same time walk in darkness, we lie"

What practical steps help us put on the breastplate of righteousness?

Lloyd-Jones offers several practical applications:

Negative commands:

  • "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them"
  • "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body"
  • "Be not conformed to this world"
  • "Abstain from all appearance of evil"
  • "Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world"

Positive commands:

  • "Put on the new men"
  • "Yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead"
  • "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth"
  • "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
  • "Set your affections on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth"
  • "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ"

Lloyd-Jones concludes that as we implement these principles, "you'll be able to withstand even the wiles of the devil, even in the evil day. And having done all things, you will be able still to stand."

The Book of Ephesians

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.