Sermon Title: Righteousness – Our Key Defense (Pt 2)
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,” (Ephesians 4:13b)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The breastplate of righteousness - as one of our key defence against the forces of darkness - can only be worn in place when well connected to the belt of truth.
Without the belt, it is not possible to wear the breastplate securely in place.
To be effectively part of the warrior’s defence, the breastplate must be integrated to the body by being secured to the belt – making the breastplate a key component of the entire personal defensive system.
Without the belt securing it firmly to the body and integrating the breastplate into the defensive system, the breastplate would not only become ineffective, it would become a grave liability to the soldier engaged in combat – decreasing mobility, limiting movement and causing undue discomfort and distraction; the ingredients of certain death on any battlefield.
To the Christian, without the belt of truth - which represents an absolute commitment to this spiritual war as a warrior for the Lord’s truth - the breastplate of righteousness cannot be worn securely.
If you fail to commit to the struggle against the forces of darkness – in any front as directed by the Holy Spirit – you have failed in your commitment to follow Christ.
In other words, any lack of recognition and commitment to this spiritual war would result in an ongoing struggle with the Christian requirement of the utter centrality and prominence of righteousness in our lives.
To be effective in the struggle against evil, God’s righteousness must be INTEGRATED into the personhood of the Christian.
When the world looks at the Christian, they must be faced with Christ’s righteousness worn securely front and centre as our essential identity, our clarion proclamation and our key defense against the schemes of the evil one.
To struggle with wearing “righteousness” or to be intentionally righteous in the example of Christ - is to struggle with your faith, and relationship, with God.
The lack of motivation to be righteous in the sight of God reflects the lack of motivation to be a Christian – which leads to a life constantly struggling with “righteousness’- a fundamental reason and reward for our faith in Christ – and be subject to demonic afflictions, the temptations of worldliness and our sinful nature.
In Romans 4:5, the Apostle Paul explains how our commitment to bearing the Truth of Christ – which is, our trust that God alone justifies us – results in His righteousness imputed upon our lives -
”However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly,
their faith is credited as righteousness.”
Without trusting God – in the reality of our struggles against evil, we are found without faith; and without faith, we are not justified and thereby, found unrighteous in God’s sight.
This is as serious as it gets.
Is your breastplate of righteousness securely in place?
Firmly held by your commitment to engage in this spiritual war as a true Christian soldier?
Is Christ’s righteousness integrated into your personhood; your identity, hopes and aspirations?
To the Christian, Christ’s righteousness must be securely in place; our daily ambition to be found righteous in God's sight must be secured, just as our faith in Jesus must be secured.
Our mission must be clear; our values must be holy; our deepest anticipation, desire and destiny must be utterly established in His eternal Kingdom.
Christ’s Righteousness must be integrated into our personhood.
To which, Paul is clear:
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The moment we give our lives to Christ and be found in Him, we become agents and bearer of His Righteousness; we become victorious over sin and darkness, just as He is victorious.
Church, know this well.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)
Together, as the righteousness of God - we have the power and authority to overcome the enemy!
Here, we must glean and apply three attributes of those who are the “Righteousness of God”; those who are ultimate overcomers - of the devil, of the world, and of our sinful selves.
We are the “righteousness of God”; and overcomers of darkness:
1. “By the blood of the Lamb”
Indeed, to live as the “righteousness of God” and overcomers of darkness is to live by the blood of the lamb.
It is to be radically serious about the Lord Jesus Christ – together.
It is to be radically serious about our relationship with Him; to be serious about our salvation in Christ – to simply and evidently be … … serious, serious Christians.
Our lives must be brimming with Christ; brimming with an anticipation and action of living out the Gospel hope, and actively sharing the Gospel truth.
To live “by the blood of the Lamb” is to intently and intensively build a faith-relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!
To live "by the blood of the Lamb" is to encourage one another to deepen our faith in Christ and to live utterly in Him: through our example, our words, our testimonies and our love for one another.
For whenever we encourage one another to live "by the blood of the Lamb", the devil is defeated!
2. By the word of our testimony
What is “the word of our testimony”?
Our stories of encounters with the living God – stories that are aligned with stories in the Bible and the biblical narrative.
Every day, God’s miracles happen in and around us.
Do we pay attention and embrace His works with awe? Do we tell these stories to whomever, wherever?
Do we actively testify to the goodness and greatness of our God?
Are we constantly anticipating God’s supernatural presence, purpose and power in our lives?
Are we quick to share – even with one another – testimonies of God’s grace, mercy and love in our lives that we may actively encourage one another?
May the grace and power of God continue to amaze us!
Now.
You may have convinced yourself that story-telling is not your forte.
Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be.
I would like to state categorically that the most powerful word of your testimony - of God’s Power to love, to save, and to restore – is expressed whenever you pray with somebody.
That’s right.
Prayer is the most powerful expression of the word of your testimony.
Know that every time you pray with someone; that prayer is a testimony of God’s love, grace and mercy; and that your prayer – for the unbeliever - is one in series of prayers that will lead to the prayer of salvation; and for the believer – is one in the series of prayers that began with the prayer of salvation.
The point of “the word of your testimony” is your faith to pray in proclamation of God’s love, grace and mercy over any and all circumstances in our lives.
Be the righteousness of God; always be attentive to opportunities to pray for one another.
For every time we pray to the Lord over one another in expressing the word of our testimonies, the devil is defeated!
3. When we love not our lives unto the death.
Consider the overwhelming biblical evidence for the selfless, but Christ-full life.
Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must (first die to self) deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)
The Word of God is clear.
Be the righteousness of God – put your carnal self to death, and in utter repentance and reverence for Christ, follow Him;
Be the righteousness of God - live solely for the sake of Christ, His Kingdom and His righteousness;
Be the righteousness of God – love each other as selflessly as He loved us.
The Apostle Peter resonates our Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 4:8:
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
The Apostle’s instruction to “love each other deeply” reveals the very essence and expression of our relationship with Christ as His body, and with one another – the very trait of the Christian church that would represent the love of the Holy God and manifest His irresistible Grace.
What are we, if not for the love of God; what are we, if not the love of God?
We need to embrace God’s gift of eternal life through Christ our Lord and Saviour.
For then and only then, would we “love not our lives unto the death.”
And the moment we love as Christ loves, the devil is defeated!
In closing – On integrating God’s righteousness into our personhood; becoming the righteousness of God… …
Church, together we can overcome the enemy.
We must.
Let us commit to this war with the assurance that though the battles will be brutal, though the challenges of our lives may seem insurmountable, we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (Ref: 1 Cor 15:57)
Let us live solely by the blood of Christ!
Let us believe in Jesus together; and be radically serious about our relationship with Him.
Let us encourage one another to walk closer with the Lord.
Let us daily pray for one another, and actively pray for people around us!
Let us die to our sinful selves, and live for Christ alone - in utter repentance and reverence for our God;
And love one another as Christ loved us.
Let us stand firm with the belt of truth buckled up with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Let us together - be the righteousness of God!
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, convict me daily to absolutely commit to bearing Your righteousness in this spiritual war against the forces of darkness. Fill me with Your Presence and Power – that I would truly stand for the Truth about Your Love, Salvation, Grace and Mercy in this world fraught with evil and deception.
I commit my life to You, Lord Jesus!
I ask that Your righteousness be integrated into my personhood – that when the world looks at me and all that I stand for, may they be faced with Christ’s righteousness worn securely as my essential identity, my clarion proclamation and my key defense against the schemes of the evil one.
Forgive me in my moments of doubts and struggles with living solely in Your righteousness.
May I utterly trust in You, O God, and believe that You alone justifies the ungodly.
Thank You for the divine revelation that my humble faith has been credited as righteousness. (Ref: Romans 4:5)
Help me, to be firmly held to my commitment to engage in this spiritual war as a true Christian soldier.
May Your righteousness be integrated into my personhood; my identity, hopes and aspirations.
I believe that through Christ, I have become “the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21); and that from the moment I gave my life to Christ, I have been designated as righteous – becoming Your agent of Righteousness in the world, and given power and authority to be victorious over sin and the forces of darkness, just as Christ is victorious.
Holy Spirit, help me live solely “by the blood of the Lamb” – to be radically serious about my salvation through Christ and my relationship with You. Make my life brim over with an anticipation and action of living out the Gospel hope, and actively sharing the Gospel truth. Grant me the courage and wisdom to encourage my fellow-believers through my example, words, testimonies and love.
Help me live daily by the word of my testimony – that I would not only actively share testimonies of my encounters with You; I would also actively pray for, and pray with, everyone around me – in manifested proclamation of Your Love, Grace, Mercy over any and all circumstances of life.
Help me love not my life unto the death - that I would utterly deny myself (die to my old self), take up my cross daily (in repentance before You) and follow You (in loving as You loved me).
I believe that Christ lives in me; and for that, I have the power and authority to overcome every scheme of the evil one.
May I live by faith, in Christ alone – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Ref: Galatians 2:20) – and reveal Your Love and Glory to the world - as Your Righteousness.
Fill my life, Holy Spirit – I long to receive Your Power for the sake of the Father’s Glory, and for the sake of Christ’s Gospel.
Thank You for the certainty that in Christ, we – Your People – have overcome the schemes and forces of darkness.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Loving King, Victorious Lord and Wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,” (Ephesians 4:13b)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The breastplate of righteousness - as one of our key defence against the forces of darkness - can only be worn in place when well connected to the belt of truth.
Without the belt, it is not possible to wear the breastplate securely in place.
To be effectively part of the warrior’s defence, the breastplate must be integrated to the body by being secured to the belt – making the breastplate a key component of the entire personal defensive system.
Without the belt securing it firmly to the body and integrating the breastplate into the defensive system, the breastplate would not only become ineffective, it would become a grave liability to the soldier engaged in combat – decreasing mobility, limiting movement and causing undue discomfort and distraction; the ingredients of certain death on any battlefield.
To the Christian, without the belt of truth - which represents an absolute commitment to this spiritual war as a warrior for the Lord’s truth - the breastplate of righteousness cannot be worn securely.
If you fail to commit to the struggle against the forces of darkness – in any front as directed by the Holy Spirit – you have failed in your commitment to follow Christ.
In other words, any lack of recognition and commitment to this spiritual war would result in an ongoing struggle with the Christian requirement of the utter centrality and prominence of righteousness in our lives.
To be effective in the struggle against evil, God’s righteousness must be INTEGRATED into the personhood of the Christian.
When the world looks at the Christian, they must be faced with Christ’s righteousness worn securely front and centre as our essential identity, our clarion proclamation and our key defense against the schemes of the evil one.
To struggle with wearing “righteousness” or to be intentionally righteous in the example of Christ - is to struggle with your faith, and relationship, with God.
The lack of motivation to be righteous in the sight of God reflects the lack of motivation to be a Christian – which leads to a life constantly struggling with “righteousness’- a fundamental reason and reward for our faith in Christ – and be subject to demonic afflictions, the temptations of worldliness and our sinful nature.
In Romans 4:5, the Apostle Paul explains how our commitment to bearing the Truth of Christ – which is, our trust that God alone justifies us – results in His righteousness imputed upon our lives -
”However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly,
their faith is credited as righteousness.”
Without trusting God – in the reality of our struggles against evil, we are found without faith; and without faith, we are not justified and thereby, found unrighteous in God’s sight.
This is as serious as it gets.
Is your breastplate of righteousness securely in place?
Firmly held by your commitment to engage in this spiritual war as a true Christian soldier?
Is Christ’s righteousness integrated into your personhood; your identity, hopes and aspirations?
To the Christian, Christ’s righteousness must be securely in place; our daily ambition to be found righteous in God's sight must be secured, just as our faith in Jesus must be secured.
Our mission must be clear; our values must be holy; our deepest anticipation, desire and destiny must be utterly established in His eternal Kingdom.
Christ’s Righteousness must be integrated into our personhood.
To which, Paul is clear:
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The moment we give our lives to Christ and be found in Him, we become agents and bearer of His Righteousness; we become victorious over sin and darkness, just as He is victorious.
Church, know this well.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)
Together, as the righteousness of God - we have the power and authority to overcome the enemy!
Here, we must glean and apply three attributes of those who are the “Righteousness of God”; those who are ultimate overcomers - of the devil, of the world, and of our sinful selves.
We are the “righteousness of God”; and overcomers of darkness:
1. “By the blood of the Lamb”
Indeed, to live as the “righteousness of God” and overcomers of darkness is to live by the blood of the lamb.
It is to be radically serious about the Lord Jesus Christ – together.
It is to be radically serious about our relationship with Him; to be serious about our salvation in Christ – to simply and evidently be … … serious, serious Christians.
Our lives must be brimming with Christ; brimming with an anticipation and action of living out the Gospel hope, and actively sharing the Gospel truth.
To live “by the blood of the Lamb” is to intently and intensively build a faith-relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!
To live "by the blood of the Lamb" is to encourage one another to deepen our faith in Christ and to live utterly in Him: through our example, our words, our testimonies and our love for one another.
For whenever we encourage one another to live "by the blood of the Lamb", the devil is defeated!
2. By the word of our testimony
What is “the word of our testimony”?
Our stories of encounters with the living God – stories that are aligned with stories in the Bible and the biblical narrative.
Every day, God’s miracles happen in and around us.
Do we pay attention and embrace His works with awe? Do we tell these stories to whomever, wherever?
Do we actively testify to the goodness and greatness of our God?
Are we constantly anticipating God’s supernatural presence, purpose and power in our lives?
Are we quick to share – even with one another – testimonies of God’s grace, mercy and love in our lives that we may actively encourage one another?
May the grace and power of God continue to amaze us!
Now.
You may have convinced yourself that story-telling is not your forte.
Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be.
I would like to state categorically that the most powerful word of your testimony - of God’s Power to love, to save, and to restore – is expressed whenever you pray with somebody.
That’s right.
Prayer is the most powerful expression of the word of your testimony.
Know that every time you pray with someone; that prayer is a testimony of God’s love, grace and mercy; and that your prayer – for the unbeliever - is one in series of prayers that will lead to the prayer of salvation; and for the believer – is one in the series of prayers that began with the prayer of salvation.
The point of “the word of your testimony” is your faith to pray in proclamation of God’s love, grace and mercy over any and all circumstances in our lives.
Be the righteousness of God; always be attentive to opportunities to pray for one another.
For every time we pray to the Lord over one another in expressing the word of our testimonies, the devil is defeated!
3. When we love not our lives unto the death.
Consider the overwhelming biblical evidence for the selfless, but Christ-full life.
Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must (first die to self) deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)
The Word of God is clear.
Be the righteousness of God – put your carnal self to death, and in utter repentance and reverence for Christ, follow Him;
Be the righteousness of God - live solely for the sake of Christ, His Kingdom and His righteousness;
Be the righteousness of God – love each other as selflessly as He loved us.
The Apostle Peter resonates our Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 4:8:
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
The Apostle’s instruction to “love each other deeply” reveals the very essence and expression of our relationship with Christ as His body, and with one another – the very trait of the Christian church that would represent the love of the Holy God and manifest His irresistible Grace.
What are we, if not for the love of God; what are we, if not the love of God?
We need to embrace God’s gift of eternal life through Christ our Lord and Saviour.
For then and only then, would we “love not our lives unto the death.”
And the moment we love as Christ loves, the devil is defeated!
In closing – On integrating God’s righteousness into our personhood; becoming the righteousness of God… …
Church, together we can overcome the enemy.
We must.
Let us commit to this war with the assurance that though the battles will be brutal, though the challenges of our lives may seem insurmountable, we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (Ref: 1 Cor 15:57)
Let us live solely by the blood of Christ!
Let us believe in Jesus together; and be radically serious about our relationship with Him.
Let us encourage one another to walk closer with the Lord.
Let us daily pray for one another, and actively pray for people around us!
Let us die to our sinful selves, and live for Christ alone - in utter repentance and reverence for our God;
And love one another as Christ loved us.
Let us stand firm with the belt of truth buckled up with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Let us together - be the righteousness of God!
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, convict me daily to absolutely commit to bearing Your righteousness in this spiritual war against the forces of darkness. Fill me with Your Presence and Power – that I would truly stand for the Truth about Your Love, Salvation, Grace and Mercy in this world fraught with evil and deception.
I commit my life to You, Lord Jesus!
I ask that Your righteousness be integrated into my personhood – that when the world looks at me and all that I stand for, may they be faced with Christ’s righteousness worn securely as my essential identity, my clarion proclamation and my key defense against the schemes of the evil one.
Forgive me in my moments of doubts and struggles with living solely in Your righteousness.
May I utterly trust in You, O God, and believe that You alone justifies the ungodly.
Thank You for the divine revelation that my humble faith has been credited as righteousness. (Ref: Romans 4:5)
Help me, to be firmly held to my commitment to engage in this spiritual war as a true Christian soldier.
May Your righteousness be integrated into my personhood; my identity, hopes and aspirations.
I believe that through Christ, I have become “the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21); and that from the moment I gave my life to Christ, I have been designated as righteous – becoming Your agent of Righteousness in the world, and given power and authority to be victorious over sin and the forces of darkness, just as Christ is victorious.
Holy Spirit, help me live solely “by the blood of the Lamb” – to be radically serious about my salvation through Christ and my relationship with You. Make my life brim over with an anticipation and action of living out the Gospel hope, and actively sharing the Gospel truth. Grant me the courage and wisdom to encourage my fellow-believers through my example, words, testimonies and love.
Help me live daily by the word of my testimony – that I would not only actively share testimonies of my encounters with You; I would also actively pray for, and pray with, everyone around me – in manifested proclamation of Your Love, Grace, Mercy over any and all circumstances of life.
Help me love not my life unto the death - that I would utterly deny myself (die to my old self), take up my cross daily (in repentance before You) and follow You (in loving as You loved me).
I believe that Christ lives in me; and for that, I have the power and authority to overcome every scheme of the evil one.
May I live by faith, in Christ alone – who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Ref: Galatians 2:20) – and reveal Your Love and Glory to the world - as Your Righteousness.
Fill my life, Holy Spirit – I long to receive Your Power for the sake of the Father’s Glory, and for the sake of Christ’s Gospel.
Thank You for the certainty that in Christ, we – Your People – have overcome the schemes and forces of darkness.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Loving King, Victorious Lord and Wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.