E N D
Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:13-14 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Ephesians 6:14 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Ephesians 6:14 • 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, • What is righteousness. • How did man lose righteousness. • Poor substitutes for righteousness. • How to obtain righteousness.
What is Righteousness? Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
What is Righteousness? • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, • Righteousness – Conformity to a certain set of expectations, which vary from role to role. Righteousness is fulfillment of the expectations in any relationship, whether with God or other people. (Baker encyclopedia of the Bible)
How did man lose righteousness? • Genesis 2:25 – Innocence. Naked and unashamed.
How did man lose righteousness? • Genesis 2:25 – Innocence. Naked and unashamed. • Genesis 3:7-8 – Guilt. Naked and ashamed. • Genesis 3:7–8 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
Poor Substitutes for Righteousness • Secular Covering – Romans 1:18-3:23
Poor Substitutes for Righteousness • Secular Covering – Romans 1:18-3 • Denying God exists does not change reality.
Poor Substitutes for Righteousness • Secular Covering – Romans 1:18-32 • Denying God exists does not change reality. • You will make up your own standards.
Poor Substitutes for Righteousness • Secular Covering – Romans 1:18-3 • Denying God exists does not change reality. • You will make up your own standards.
Poor Substitutes for Righteousness • Secular Covering – Romans 1:18-3 • Denying God exists does not change reality. • You will make up your own standards. • Religious Covering – Romans 2
Poor Substitutes for Righteousness • Secular Covering – Romans 1:18-3 • Denying God exists does not change reality. • You will make up your own standards. • Religious Covering – Romans 2 • Leads to Hypocrisy – gloss over
Poor Substitutes for Righteousness • Secular Covering – Romans 1:18-3 • Denying God exists does not change reality. • You will make up your own standards. • Religious Covering – Romans 2 • Leads to Hypocrisy – gloss over • Leads to Uncertainty – have I done enough?
John Wesley - 1735 “I went to America to convert the Indians; but, oh, who shall convert me?”
John Wesley – May 24, 1738 “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.”
John Wesley – May 24, 1738 “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.” What did he learn from Romans?
Jesus is our Righteousness Romans 1:16–17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Jesus is our Righteousness Righteousness Imputed – as a gift 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus is our Righteousness Righteousness Imputed – as a gift 2 Corinthians 5:21 Righteousness Imparted – worked out as we follow Christ. Romans 6:13-14, 8:1-4, Galatians 5:22-25
Communion – Picture of Imputation 2 Corinthians 5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.