Armor Of God (The Helmet)

INTRO:

Football season was a very special time for me during my youth.

One of those special moments was at the beginning of the season when I would get that football helmets

This was usually a few days before the start of each season for Pop Warner football.

This was such a big deal to me.

Seeing this helmet freshly painted WHITE with the GATOR emblem on the side of it.

You almost hated to put it on because you knew there was going to be marks and gashes on it soon after. (Helmet in Hand)

I think we all would agree Helmets serve a purpose!

I looked up how many different helmets there are in our culture …..

What a list ……

Football helmets, Motorcycle helmet, military helmets, batting helmets, bicycle helmets, hockey helmets, skiing helmets.

Just with these helmets alone, there is a vast variety of different types and styles.

The thing about todays culture is …..

We have laws that tell us we have to wear helmets. (Motorcycles)

We have parents telling their children you are to wear helmets. (Bicycles and skateboards)

We have recreational sports requiring helmets to be worn. (Football, baseball, Hockey)

Just like today, there were Helmets back in the first century and those helmets served a purpose as well.

All helmets are designed with a purpose in mind …… Protected the head!

In todays military the soldiers wear helmets during combat.

Why?

To protect the head.

Soldiers wearing a helmet is not something that has been thought of just during the last century or so.

The ROMANS in Jesus’ day wore them as well.

When it comes to the Roman soldier and his helmet it was a very significant and noticeable piece of armor.

This morning we are continuing in this series concerning the Armor of God.

This morning we are specifically looking at Ephesians 6:17 in regards to the HELMET OF SALVATION.

If you are able and willing to stand in reverence to the reading of God’s word ….

BODY:

Ephesians 6:10–17 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 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 put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

What I hope you take away from this sermon this morning is just how significant the Word of God is to His followers.

It was very significant to those of Pauls day. (The OT not the NT)

It is very significant to us today.

Why do I say this ????

What we read in this passage of scripture is a listing of spiritual resources God gives to his people: the truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith,

and Today we are looking at “salvation”

It is understood that Paul was not just illustrating a Roman soldiers military garb and referencing it to a Soldier of the Lord.

(Like it was something new that Paul thought up.)

When reading this passage on the Armor of God some scholars point to Isaiah 59 as a point of reference Paul was drawing from as well.

Isaiah 59:17 “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.”

Isaiah is talking about the LORD here!

Some scholars designated this verse as the “Divine Warrior Hymn.”

What is this you ask ….

The concept of the "Divine Warrior Hymn" appears to be a literary form used in biblical literature to describe God's intervention in human affairs, particularly in warfare.

This form depicts a warrior.

This imagery is present throughout the Bible, from Exodus to Revelation, portraying God as a powerful warrior who fights against evil.

Just some of those passages are found in Isaiah 24-27 and Isaiah 40-66.

When we read Ephesians 6:17 we can come to believe Paul was recalling a Divine Warrior Hymn.

Most specifically, Isaiah 59:17 “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head;”

Paul reiterates this idea in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

Divine Warrior Hymn

“God's intervention in human affairs, particularly in warfare.”

Of all the pieces of a soldiers armor ….

The belt was the most IMPORTANT because it held everything together.

The breastplate was the most BRILLIANT and GLORIOUS because it was made of brass and when the sun shined it reflected off the breastplate and made a dazzling spectacle.

The helmet was the most NOTICEABLE. (Show picture on screen)

When a Roman soldier walked down the street with his helmet on, the brightly colored plume of horse hair spouting from his helmet would stand out in any crowd.

You couldn’t help but notice.

The Helmet is made of ….

Bronze of brass and was very heavy.

So heavy that the interior of the helmet was lined with a spongy material in order to soften its weight upon the soldiers head.

The helmet actually wrapped around the whole head and was equipped with pieces of armor that were specifically designed to protect the cheeks and jaws.

It even extended down the back of the neck to protect the back of the head.

This helmet was so STRONG, MASSIVE, and HEAVY that nothing could pierce it (not even a hammer or battle axe).

Paul writes in regards to this piece of armor …. (Ephesians 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, …..”)

Just like what we would say as …..

Helmet for Football

….. is for Football players

Helmet for Hockey

….. is for hockey players

Batting Helmet

….. is for baseball players

Military Helmet

….. is for soldiers

Salvation Helmet

….. is for the Believer/Followers/those of the faith

This is the “helmet of Salvation!”

Pause…..

The first thing we need to understand is that this is a helmet that is to be taken.

The word “take” in the phrase “take the helmet” is the Greek word (dechomai) which means …..

To receive in a welcoming way or to receive what is offered.

Basically it means it is a willing attitude to accept something.

In this case, God is offering us the helmet of salvation, but He is not going to force us to take it.

So what is it that we are offered that God will not force us to take?

SALVATION!

What is salvation?

The Greek word used here that is translated “Salvation” is the word (soterios).

This word is defined as saved or delivered.

In the broader sense of the word, it means …. to be brought into a safe place.

So the overall meaning ….. it means to be saved, delivered from danger, brought into a safe place, healed, restored, or rescued.

When we look at the meaning of this word “soterios” - translated (Salvation) - we need to be reminded it is not referring to our life in heaven.

How do we know this?

We don’t need healed, rescued, or delivered from danger in Heaven.

These things (be saved, delivered from danger, brought into a safe place, healed, restored, or rescued) are the benefits we need in this life right now.

So what Christ did on the Cross was not just offering us forgiveness of sins but He also offered us a safe place, delivered from danger, healing, restoration, and a place of rescue.

Church, this is what SALVATION is and what it does.

All of this is offered to us …. not forced upon us.

In this verse the Paul says accept (or, receive)

Which is particularly appropriate for salvation “as a gift from God”!

All we have to do is receive this free gift (The gift of salvation).

So when Paul talks about putting on the Helmet of Salvation this is what he is talking about .....

Something we are to receive from God, given to us freely, and it places us in a position where we can be safe, free from danger, healed, restored, and rescued from the grips of Hell.

AMEN?????

CONCLUSION:

Let me wrap this up with a few thoughts ….

Salvation stands out unlike any of the other pieces of Armor.

This gift God that has been given to us is salvation, through Jesus Christ, which is the most noticeable when it comes to the Armor of God.

It is the most intricate, elaborate, and priceless transformation brought about in a believers life, and when we walk in the powerful reality of all of that, what our salvation means to us, it becomes and is visible to others.

The one who recognizes it the clearest ……. is Satan.

Let me show you ….

Acts 19:13–16 “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

What was happening here?????

Satan says ……

“I know Jesus” ….. who gives us Salvation

“I recognize Paul” who received Salvation and walks in it.

But these Seven Sons of Sceva (“WHO ARE YOU?”)

Why does the enemy say this?

Because they were not followers of Christ (Saved).

What we see them attempting to do is use the name of Jesus without knowing Jesus.

Its not knowing Jesus (Satan knows him) its accepting Him (His Salvation).

When we attempt to be like Jesus without knowing (having a personal relationship with) Jesus, we place ourselves in a position where the enemy will do three things …..

“Leap onto us,”

“Master us” In the Greek this word means to bring under one’s power, to subject to one’s self,

“and Overpower us.” In the Greek this word means “to be strong, to prevail,” indicates a more forceful strength or ability than dunamai

Stronger than dynamite

The people of God are identified as those who “call on the name of the Lord”, not merely those who cite the name of Jesus.

We read this in Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

You want to know how to make sure the enemy is not “leaping on to you, subduing you, and overpowering you,” ….. Call on the name of Jesus Christ.

Paul is stating to us that this gift of salvation is like a helmet.

This helmet stand out for all to see (Including the enemy).

My second thought …..

2. The hemet (Salvation) protects your mind (that resides in the head).

This is what the enemy is after …. your mind.

What he is trying to do is penetrate your thinking and take you captive by his deception.

This is what Paul was concerned about when he wrote to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

If your salvation - Like a helmet- is not worn tightly (Tight and Right) around your mind, the enemy will come to chop away the multiple benefits and blessings of your salvation right out of your belief system.

He will whack away at your spiritual foundation, trying to tell you that healings, deliverance, preservation of mind, and soundness are not really a part of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross.

The last thought ….

If Salvation stands out for everyone (including Satan) to see ….

If it is the thing that protects our minds …..

Then we need to continue to grow and understand our salvation.

Finally, the last thought …..

3. The only way we can grow in our Salvation is by studying God’s word!

We must make it a goal to understand and walk in the full knowledge of our salvation.

We need to know what the bible says

…. about healings, about deliverance from demonic powers,

…. about spiritual authority over the devil,

…. and all that we have inherited through the gift of our redemption.

When our minds are trained and taught to think correctly in terms of our salvation that knowledge becomes a protective helmet in our lives.

We must be actively involved, reading and studying the Bible to learn what it says about our salvation and Jesus’ redemptive work to deliver, heal, preserve, and give us a sound mind.

Here is what I personally believe ….

As you faithfully meditate on the Word of God, salvation will become so real to you - you will become so convinced of your salvation and all of its benefits - that your mind will be able to rest securely in God, no longer capable of being penetrated by doubt and unbelief.

Amen? Amen!

DECLARATION:

I confess that I wear

my salvation tightly around

my mind like a helmet.

When the enemy tries to attack my mind

and to chop away

at the benefits of my salvation,

his attacks

are completely ineffective!

My mind is convinced of all

that salvation means for me,

and my mind is trained and taught

to think correctly

according to that knowledge.

Therefore, the knowledge of my salvation

becomes a helmet in my life.

It doesn’t matter

how hard the devil tries

to hack away at my mind,

I still stand strong

because I know

what Jesus’ death and resurrection

purchased for me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

PRAYER:

Lord, I am so grateful for my salvation! It is the most wonderful gift You have ever given me. It changed my life and set me free; it brought healing to my body and deliverance to my mind. I want to wrap the knowledge of all that my salvation includes around my mind so tightly that the devil can never steal these benefits from my life. Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me study and to understand everything Jesus purchased for me at the Cross. Reveal it to me; convince me of its truth; and help me to wear that revelation knowledge on my head like a mighty, fortified, spiritual helmet!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!