New Message Series: Suit Up! The Armor of God, Ephesians 6
Message
The Armor of God: The Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14
Crestview family,
As a new calendar year unfolds, we begin in Ephesians 6:10-20, The Armor of God, and a renewed call to be in the WORD with regularity and faithfulness. It’s good to be reminded that we live in a world of physicality and spirituality. And Jesus is the LORD of both. And Jesus brings them together in perfect wholeness. For the follower of Christ, ‘putting on Christ’ in the ways of God’s Word, Spirit, Truth, Righteousness, Faithfulness, and Gospel readiness is to be a daily engagement – the pathway of our life.
‘Putting on Christ’ in the ways of God’s Word is the pathway of our life.
Been reflecting on the rich interwoven truth of God from New Testament to Old Testament, to the New again. Captured particularly this week by the phrase from Psalm 29, the Psalm of the week, “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood… gives strength to his people; blesses his people with peace.” In light of the recent fire, at the beginning of a new calendar year, this gives hope and strengthens trust in God. It’s fascinating to be reading this week in the Read Through the Bible schedule (3 years), the connections between Psalm 24, John 4 (Samaritan woman at the well), and the flood narrative of Genesis 6-9. Makes these verses from Proverbs 2:20-3:6 for this week more poignant: “You will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. My child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and others. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
More Armor of God for Sunday… When it comes to putting on the ‘breastplate of righteousness’, what does this mean? How does this look? Who is righteous and how is righteousness defined? Where can it be found? How can I get this piece of armor that protects my heart and wear it?
Good news… see you Sunday, Ephesians 6:10-20.
In Jesus,
Pastor Mark