THE ARMOR OF GOD pt.3 “The Breastplate”

I.    The Breastplate of Righteousness

A.   What is it?

1.    God’s righteousness through Christ – Philippians 3:7-11

2.    Christ is the righteousness of God

a.     The law was:

1.    our wisdom – Deuteronomy 4:6

2.    our righteousness – Deuteronomy 6:25

NOTE: the law was not perfect

b.    Christ is (or, has become) – I Corinthians 1:26-31

1.    our wisdom

2.    our righteousness

NOTE: Christ is perfect

3.    Faith in Christ reckons the righteousness of God to us (basic issue) – Romans 3:21-26

4.    Putting on the “new man” which is created in righteousness and true holiness – Ephesians 4:22:24

B.   Why do we wear it? To be able to stand in His presence!

1.    the blood of an innocent animal was shed to cover the sin of Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:21

2.    Levitical law required blood from blemish-free animals to cover man’s sin – Leviticus 9:2 (one of many references to such)

NOTE: this sacrifice could not cover sin once for all in that it was not perfect – Hebrews 9:1-10

3.    Christ’s blood (as per the law) was shed to cover man’s sin –     Romans 5:8-11

a.     Christ’s sacrifice covered man’s sin once for all because it was perfect – Hebrews 9:11-12

b.    Christ’s sacrifice did not abolish the law but rather fulfilled the requirement of the law and freed us from it. - Galatians 3:10-13

c.     We may hinder ourselves and our blessings by not doing certain things (i.e. tithing), but we cannot be cursed by not doing them as some are prone to teach.

4.    Putting on Christ – Galatians 3:26-29 allows God to be with us to fight the fight (“wrong house” story).