Armor UP! Standing in the Lord s Strength Week 3: The Breastplate of Righteousness October 16, Welcome to Week 3:

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1 Armor UP! Standing in the Lord s Strength Week 3: The Breastplate of Righteousness October 16, 2016 Welcome to Week 3: While under house arrest in Rome, Paul used the analogy of a soldier s armor, something the Ephesian brethren were familiar with. He wrote to them to put on the full armor of God including the breastplate of righteousness. Under the Roman republic all the legionaries wore a bronze cuirass consisting of a breast and back plate with a border of pendent leather straps defending the lower part of the body. (The Encyclopedia Americana, 1903) The Greek word used for breastplate is thorax, Strong s #2382. Primarily, the breast, denotes a breastplate or corselet, consisting of two parts and protecting the body on both sides, from the neck to the middle. It is used metaphorically of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14); of faith and love (1 Thessalonians 5:8), with perhaps a suggestion of the two parts, front and back, which formed the coat of mail (an alternative term for the word in the New Testament sense); else-where in Revelation 9:9,17. Vine s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words The breastplate was designed to prevent a blow from an enemy s sword or other weapon from reaching a soldier s vital organs, particularly, the heart. It would be difficult to apply a death blow to the torso of a soldier wearing this type of body armor. A Roman soldier s breastplate is described by Polybius (vi.23) as a bronze plate, measuring a span every way, which they wear on their breasts and call a heart-guard (kardiophulax). Righteousness is appropriate tied to breastplate. Solomon, the wisest king of Israel, humbly wrote to his sons, Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23) Our emotional position is so vulnerable. The enemy knows how to twist our feelings and prod our desires. Our hearts are open for attack, unless we Armor Up! Glad to be your pastor, Jeremy K. Bratcher

2 Ephesians 6:14 Key Notes from the Text: What purpose does a breastplate serve? The breastplate was a central part of the Roman soldier's armor it provided protection for the torso, which contains vital organs like the heart, lungs and so on. Without a breastplate, a soldier would be asking for death, as any attack could instantly become fatal. With a sturdy breastplate, the very same attacks become ineffective and useless, as blows glance off the armor. Is righteousness in this passage seen as salvation in Christ or God-honoring, morally good living? Andrew T. Lincoln notes, The Breastplate was part of YHWH s armor depicted in Isaiah 59:17. The righteousness or justice of YHWH is an attribute that is essential for Christ s followers to display. This is not the justifying righteousness of Romans 3:21-26, but an ethical quality. Mirroring the frontal armor of the Roman soldier, a Christian who is doing good and living right mirrors what life standing against the enemy looks like. (Ephesians, Word Biblical Commentary, 448.) The Breastplate of Righteousness (Sermon Notes from Ephesians 6:14)

3 Isaiah 59:14-20 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment. So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, declares the Lord. MEMORY VERSE: He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. Isaiah 59:16 KEY WORDS and PHRASES for FURTHER STUDY: Use the following cross-referenced verses to help with understanding key words and phrases. Breastplate of Righteousness: Job 29:14; Isaiah 59:17; 1 st Thessalonians 5:8 This link is a bit scholarly, but it is a great read about the meaning of the breastplate:

4 Group Reflection: 1. Talk About It Discuss one of the following: Describe a time when you had to take the high road in a situation. Why did you decide to take the high road? How did doing the good and right thing impact the situation? 2. Dig Into It The following questions will help guide you through the passage for deeper understanding. Begin by reading Ephesians 6:14 1. What breastplate are we to wear? (14) In what sense/s does Paul want believers to wear righteousness? (Examine Ephesians 3:17, 1 Cor. 1:30, Phil 3:9, Ephesians 4:24 and 5:8-9) 2. Read 1 st Thessalonians 5:8. How does this verse describe the breastplate? How does this verse illuminate your thoughts about righteousness? 3. Read Matthew 5:6. What does this verse say about righteousness? How does this influence your thoughts about the desire or need to Put on the breastplate of righteousness? 3. Think About It The following questions engage your thoughts about the text. What do you see or feel from what you ve read? Wearing the breastplate of righteousness involves understanding Christ s righteousness has been given to us as well as living lives that are pleasing to God. How do these aspects of righteousness protect us against the enemy? Where do you struggle in appropriating Christ s righteousness into your daily life?

5 How have you learned to appropriate Christ s righteousness for you in a way that affects the way you live? 4. Apply It The following questions will help guide you in applying the text in your life today! 1. Think of an area in your life right now where you need to focus on doing good and right. What is that area? 2. How will doing good and right in this area take a stand against the devil? 3. Take time to pray for each other to be strengthened by God s truth. PART ONE: Isaiah 59:14-20 Pray for God to guide your reading today. Then, read the passage through 3 times slowly. Summarize the passage. SUMMARY:

6 PART TWO: Isaiah 59:14-20 Pray for God to guide your thinking today. Then, read the passage through one time slowly. As you are reading the passage, write down the facts. Make a verse-by-verse list of all of the outstanding facts. Don t get caught up in the details, just pinpoint the most obvious facts. Who is speaking? What is the subject? Where is this taking place? What is happening? When did it happen? What is the passage saying to the audience? NOTE: Be LITERAL in your answers try to use the exact words from the verses to write your facts. Five Facts from the Passage: PART THREE: Isaiah 59:14-20 Pray for God to give you wisdom today. Then, read the passage through one time slowly. Re-read your summary from Part One and your facts from Part Two. Today we want to engage meaning. What does the fact in your passage mean? How can the truth be rightly interpreted? What commands are in the passage? What lessons are in the passage for Christians to learn? NOTE: Think SPIRITUAL as you answer.

7 Interpreted Meaning from the Passage: Further Reflection: What does living righteously mean? James 1:19-27; Colossians 3:5; Galatians 5:16-26 Psalm 5:12 PART FOUR: Isaiah 59:14-20 Pray for God to give you insight today. Then, read the passage through one time slowly. Looking back at lessons you wrote from yesterday, turn the lessons into question form that you might ask a co-worker, a classmate, a neighbor, a family member, or a friend. Don t rush this. Take your time and listen to God s lead. NOTE: Be THOUGHTFUL with the questions you write. 1. Questions from the Passage s Lessons: 2.

8 Further Reflection: How does God provide for his followers to live righteously? John 14:15-26; Philippians 3:9 PART FIVE: Isaiah 59:14-20 Pray for God to give you conviction today. Then, read the passage through one time slowly. Review your questions from yesterday, then answer your own questions. NOTE: Be PERSONAL with the questions you write. Answering My Questions from the Passage s Lessons:

9 4. 5. Further Reflection: What is the benefit of living good and right? Psalm 5:12 PART SIX: Isaiah 59:14-20 Pray for God to give you courage today. Then, read the passage through one time slowly. Review the five previous days of your interaction with the passage. Then write down what you think God is leading you to do as a result your encounter with His word this week. How will you respond to God s word? Pinpoint what God is saying TO YOU from this passage. Write down what you will do now about what God has said. NOTE: Be Intentional with your response today. To Follow Jesus through this passage I will respond by Your Name Today s Date