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Sermons on the Armor of God

Series Summary

on

The Armor of God

In this collection of 68 powerful sermons on the armor of God (spelled as Armour of God in some translations), Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones recognized that the Christian life is spiritual warfare, while understanding the whole …

Sermons on the

Armor of God


Trust in God and ...

Volume 8 Ephesians 6:10-13

In Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermon on Ephesians 6:10-13, he visits the topic of sanctification. Specifically, how our relationship is to God in our lifelong journey of sanctification. To begin, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how justification is unrelated to sanctification. We can do nothing to be justified. Our justification is completely up to God. However, in the case of sanctification, we have a job to do. It is our activity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that unlike justification, sanctification is a continual process in which we must realize our need for salvation, listen to God’s commandments, and follow them. The first process of realizing our need for salvation happens only once; however, we must strive for the rest of our lives to live faithfully, according to God’s commandments. But, how can we live such a life? Well, Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides key tips on how we can stay strong in obedience to God. He first states that to do so, we must practice it. Often, a Christian will be to intimidated to act on their faith and will simply back away from opportunities to obey God’s commandments, but the truth is that if we simply attempt to take action, God will grant us the strength to do it. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives the example of Peter walking on water or Moses making water flow from a rock. Neither of these men had the power to do such things, but they took action regardless, and because they took action, God granted them the power to accomplish their tasks. As Christians in the process of sanctification, we cannot stand by and think that God will do everything for us. No, we must do things. God’s work on earth is done by works and enabled by the spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, “Use the means that are available, but put your confidence in God.” The great puritan leader, Oliver Cromwell, knew this when he told his men, “Trust in God and keep your [gun]powder dry.” Whenever doubt crowds our minds and threatens to quench the holy fire inside of us, we must go ahead with action, all the while remembering that we can do all things through Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon saying, “Whatever we may be facing, we must remember that Christ is with us and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

Things to Avoid

Volume 8 Ephesians 6:10-13

Faith means believing the word, and therefore, acting. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Things to Avoid,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives this strong call to action and urges Christians to rid themselves of passivity. Spiritual health includes positive and negative aspects, including taking in what is beneficial and avoiding what is not; avoiding dissipation of energy such as zeal without knowledge, talking too much, or vain arguments; and acknowledging that activities must be thoughtful, disciplined, governed, and directed. A person must sit down to determine what can be done and what can’t. Through too much talk, people find themselves in spiritual trouble. However much one argues about truth, if one is not growing by it, do it less. The test of everything must be: is it profitable to one’s own soul and to other people? He calls the listener to avoid enervating atmospheres, including spending too much time in worldly, unspiritual company will dull one’s spiritual edge and waste vitality. He also encourages avoiding foolish talk and jesting, bad company, and polluted reading; making no provision for the flesh to satisfy its lusts; keeping watch over thoughts and imaginations that can be evil; and avoiding Christians who don’t believe that the Bible is the authoritative word of God. A life will go wrong if the doctrine is wrong and this is a main cause of decay in the church today.

Loins Girt About with Truth

Volume 8 Ephesians 6:14

Every piece of the believer’s armor is critical for the Christian life. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Loins Girt About with Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones delivers this sermon on the six pieces of “the armor of God.” First are the “loins girt with truth,” then the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. This is not an exhaustive list, but a highlighting of vital elements for spiritual warfare. There is no hope for the fight unless first put on are the “loins girt with truth.” In the apostles’ time, people wore long flowing garments, but loose clothing hinders efficient movement. Soldiers braced their clothing together with a girdle in order to move without encumbrance. The spiritual meaning here is for the mind. Some think “truth” means sincerity or candor, but the foundation of the Christian’s armor cannot be their own sincerity and truthfulness. The girdle, as well as the sword, is the word of God. Christians must be wholly governed by truth, which is revealed in Christ Jesus. This truth is not uncertainty, doubt, or lack of clarity. It is a settled conviction, knowing whom and what to believe. The devil tries to create confusion and uncertainty and to repel him, Christians must be “girt about” with truth.

The Truth of God

Volume 8 Ephesians 6:14

There is only one gospel. According to Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, other gospels are lies. In a day of misinformation, counterfeits, and charlatans, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings a voice of Biblical discernment. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “The Truth of God,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates how Paul's authority to declare these truths came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul neither received or learned it by human teaching, but from God. John, Peter, and the other apostles wrote in an equally authoritative manner. They were men to whom the mystery of the gospel was directly and personally revealed by the Lord Himself. The canon of the New Testament is the revealed truth of God. The apostolic teachings are not men trying to understand life and reality — that is philosophy. Rather, these men told with confidence God’s revealed truth. All that is necessary to life and wellbeing, for death, and after is found within God’s truth. The fundamental position of the Bible is that humanity cannot attain knowledge of God apart from the revelation and work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus affirmed there is no way to know the truth of God apart from revelation, for God hides it from the world and reveals it as He chooses. The truth is hidden from the prideful who are confident of their own knowledge. All must become like little children toward God’s revealed truth to have their “loins girt about with truth.”

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