Marching Orders
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:14
Originally preached May 13, 1962
Scripture
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
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
- The Christian is engaged in a mighty battle against spiritual powers and forces.
- Nothing is more important than putting on the whole armor of God.
- The girdle of truth is essential. Truth is the beginning and the end. Without truth, we cannot stand against the devil.
- We must have a right view of our life as Christian people in this present world. We are separate from the world.
- We must realize the world is against us. If we don't realize the world hates us, there is a defect in our Christianity.
- 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.
- We must realize God is light, and in Him is no darkness. If we walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth.
- Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means understanding 'therefore' in the New Testament epistles. We must apply the doctrine.
- Negatively, we must not walk as unbelievers, put off the old man, have no fellowship with darkness, not be conformed to the world.
- 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.
- We must realize all these things to withstand the devil. We must put on the breastplate of righteousness.
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.