Righteousness of God by Faith
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:14
Scripture
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Sermon Description
What do Christians do when they face spiritual depression, and their feelings and emotions forsake them? How do they react when they are unsure in their Christianity and are filled with doubts and questions? The answer to these questions are in Ephesians 6:14, where the Christian is told to put on the breastplate of righteousness. How exactly does this breastplate of righteousness help when Christians go through times like these? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Righteousness of God by Faith,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks on the importance of putting on the breastplate of righteousness and how it protects the Christian from the lies of the devil. Rather than relying on feelings and works to feel secure in one’s salvation, the breastplate of righteousness reminds the Christian that it is the righteousness of Christ through faith that saves them. When a Christian is unsure and full of doubts during the dry seasons of life, they can lean upon the righteousness of God for strength as they wait on and rest in Him. As believers, it is essential to put on the breastplate of righteousness because it will carry the Christian through any forsaken feelings, questions, or doubts they have and keep them safe.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul exhorts Christians to put on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6 in order to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- The breastplate of righteousness protects the feelings, sensibilities, affections and conscience. It provides assurance and confidence in the face of the devil's attacks.
- The devil tempts people to rely primarily on their feelings and experiences. But feelings and experiences vary and change. The breastplate of righteousness - our standing in Christ - is the only sure foundation.
- The breastplate of righteousness protects against discouragement from perceived lack of progress, difficulties in ministry, trials and tribulations. It reminds us that God will complete the work he began.
- Summary: Our feelings and experiences come and go, but God never changes. We must grasp hold of his strength and righteousness, not our own frail experiences. This is the only protection against the devil.
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.