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Sermon #SD19

The Whole Armor of God

A Sermon on the Whole Armor of God from Ephesians 6:13-15

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Scripture

Ephesians 6:13-15 ESV KJV
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having …

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Sermon Description

How can a Christian be victorious over Satan in spiritual warfare? In this sermon on the whole armor of God from Ephesians 6:13-15, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones asserts that it is only in the strength of the Lord and His might. The apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus that they must put on the whole armor of God. The strength that the Lord provides for His people is putting on the armor of God, piece by piece with prayer. We need every piece of armor God provides for us beginning with the integument. We start with a foundation of the revealed truth of God—the girdle. We need the doctrines of the Bible set securely at the base of our protection. Secondly, we put on a righteousness capable of being judged at every angle—the breastplate. The devil aims to fuel our doubts by bringing up past sins and present iniquities. Christians must apply the breastplate of righteousness and protect themselves at every angle by looking to Jesus Christ on the cross. And thirdly, the Christian puts on the preparation of the Gospel of peace—the sandals. As quick as the enemy is, we must be quicker and more agile, prepared in the assurance of our salvation. Will you begin to apply this panoply?

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Many Christians fail in the Christian life because they do not realize they are in a spiritual warfare.
  2. The hymn writer understood we are in a spiritual conflict - "Christian, seek not yet repose, cast thy dreams of ease away."
  3. Many think once converted, the Christian life will be easy. But the Bible says we are in a spiritual conflict.
  4. The forces of evil are arrayed against the forces of God and his Christ. Their aim is to defeat Christians.
  5. If Christians do not know about the spiritual conflict, they are already defeated. They are blind to it.
  6. The conflict is subtle. The devil misleads, trips up, and fools Christians without them realizing.
  7. The Bible shows the devil is subtle, can appear as an angel of light, quote Scripture, and encourage Christian work to distract from sin.
  8. But there is victory in the Lord and the power of his might. We can overcome the devil.
  9. Many fail because they do not know how to avail themselves of God's power and put on the whole armor of God.
  10. Prayer alone is not enough. We must put on the whole armor of God, which God provides.
  11. The armor has a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit.
  12. The belt of truth refers to believing the revealed truth of God's word. Without it, we cannot stand.
  13. The truth includes the truth about God, ourselves, sin, salvation, judgment, heaven, and hell. We must believe all of it.
  14. The breastplate of righteousness refers to the righteousness of Christ, not our own. It protects our heart and vital organs.
  15. The devil attacks by making us doubt our salvation, reminding us of past sins, showing our failures, and accusing us when we sin. The breastplate protects against this.
  16. The shoes of peace refer to assurance of salvation and peace with God. Without this peace, we cannot fight the devil. There must be freedom within to fight the enemy outside.
  17. The shoes represent readiness, quickness, and surefootedness to respond to the devil's subtle attacks. We must have peace to have this readiness.

Spiritual Depression

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.