Part 7 - The Helmet of Salvation
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Tonight, we are in the 7th week of studying the armor of God. Tonight, we will look at the helmet of salvation.
We have learned by now that it’s God’s will that we “stand” against the attacks of the “devil”, vvs. 11, 13, 14.
When we “stand” we “hold a critical position against the attack of the enemy.” This speaks of “a soldier who refuses to yield even an inch of ground to an attacking foe.” It is the image of a soldier on the defensive, protecting the ground that has already been taken from the enemy. It is what God meant when He said, “Neither give place to the devil,” Eph. 4:27.
We know the only way to stand is to put on the whole armor of God.
When it comes to withstanding and standing against the devil...
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Vance Havner said: “If we resist the devil without first submitting ourselves to God, he will fly at us, and not from us.”
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Frank Retief said, “Resisting the devil does not mean rebuking him by shouting at him. It refers to a godly lifestyle of submission to God, a break with the friendship of the world, and a spirit of personal humility.”
It is vital that we walk with God if we are going to resist Satan.
P. T. Forsyth said, “Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us.”
The helmet of salvation is given to us and is a guard for us.
In this study I pray that the Lord will challenge us to allow God to guard our thinking and guide our thinking by putting on the helmet of salvation.
Let’s look at some truths about the helmet of salvation.
THE PROVISION OF THE HELMET
THE PROVISION OF THE HELMET
Ephesians 6:17 (KJV (WS))
17 And take the helmet of salvation...
We have learned that the armor is provided for us by the Lord and we emphasize that again.
Just as the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel shoes, and the shield of faith is provided for us, so too is the helmet of salvation.
God has provided every Christian soldier with a helmet to wear into battle.
The word take here comes from the Greek word that means, “to accept from the hand of another as a free gift.”
The purpose of the helmet is obvious.
It was designed to protect the head. In ancient times many armies employed cavalry. These soldiers were mounted on horseback and most carried a broadsword.
This sword was different from the short sword mentioned in verse 17.
The broadsword was a two-handed sword that was usually between three and four feet in length, had a double-edged blade. This sword was swung by mounted soldiers in an effort to either split the skulls of the enemy, or to decapitate them. The helmet helped to deflect the blow of the broadsword, and thus, it protected the foot soldier from injury.
Our text says that the spiritual “helmet” we are to wear in our spiritual battles is the “helmet of salvation.”
This indicates that Satan’s blows are aimed at our minds. He is intent on destroying our sense of security and our assurance in Jesus Christ.
If the devil can strike a blow against us that causes us to become discouraged and filled with doubt, he will have little trouble sidelining us and taking us out of the battle.
Now, it’s the helmet of salvation...
Salvation means deliverance.
Paul is writing to Christian’s at Ephesus. They had already been saved, but they were commanded to live as they are saved.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
Remember, hope in the Bible isn’t how we use it today - hope in the Bible means looking forward expectantly!
Lehman Strauss wrote, “Every Christian can stand in the calm confidence that the death of Christ has saved him, the resurrected Christ is keeping him, and the coming Christ will preserve him safely throughout eternity.”
It takes putting on the whole armor of God to live like Christian’s and honor Jesus in our lives!
The helmet of salvation was available to the Christians in spiritual combat and they were commanded to take it and use it because they desperately need it.
THE PLACING OF THE HELMET
THE PLACING OF THE HELMET
The soldier’s were given their helmets and they were expected to wear their helmets. The helmet is for the head. It is made especially for the head.
The soldier was to put on the helmet for his own good. We are to take the helmet, rely on the helmet, and wear the helmet. Obedient soldiers do not need hours of lecturing and video to show the importance of wearing their helmet.
As a soldier presents himself for battle, he first dresses for the battle, and that includes putting on the helmet.
Here’s some things to think about:
○ Soldiers wear their helmets when they are in danger or when they are engaged in battle.
○ Football players wear their helmets when they are in action, but you will notice many times when they come off the field of play they are on the sideline and they take off their helmets.
○ Christians are to put on the helmet and leave on the helmet.
○ We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines and we can’t afford to take off our helmets.
*When we are focused on the Lord Jesus and heaven we’ll be prepared for the battle down here *
We are to put on the helmet of salvation and wear it.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
We are to keep our mind filled with the word of God and our lives submitted to the Spirit of God. The helmet of salvation is given to the saved!
THE PROTECTION OF THE HELMET
THE PROTECTION OF THE HELMET
The helmet of salvation is given to the Christian to guard our minds and guide our minds.
*Satan seeks to capture, confuse, and confound our minds.*
• He wants to infect our minds with false doctrine,
• sinful passions,
• hateful divisions,
• and selfish ambitions.
He is after the mind of all Christians.
Understand that Satan is waging war against God and His children.
He aims to discourage, defeat, and depress the believer into spiritual inactivity and defeat.
Jesus said in Luke 18:1 that men ought always to pray, and not to faint or become discouraged. Paul spoke about this, too.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
You may have been saved for years, but if the devil can get you discouraged in your walk with the Lord, he can get you out of the battle. If he can get you focused on your problems, on the failures in your life, on the shortcomings of others, or on any negative thing at all, he can overwhelm your defenses and cause you to doubt the Lord’s goodness.
When Satan comes against you, and he will, stand your ground in the Lord, knowing that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• He bought you with His precious blood...
• You are His...
• He will not abandon you...
• He will give you grace sufficient for the attacks that come against you...
• He will keep you through the battles of life, and He will deliver you safely home to glory when this life is over.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Here is the key: be sure you are saved!
• Be sure you have more than just a church membership, or some vague religious experience.
• Be sure that you are trusting nothing but Jesus for salvation.
• Be sure that you are resting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Be sure you are “born again.”
• Be sure you are believing the Gospel.
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
• The implication here is simple, don’t take what you think you have for granted. Don’t just assume that you are saved because you have checked off a box or two on the Baptist salvation checklist.
Ye must be born again!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
John Phillips wrote, “The more we wear the helmet of salvation, the more we will think about the things of God, fill our minds and memories with God’s word, and dwell on the enormous cost of our salvation and its ramifications in our lives. Therefore, the more we wear the helmet, the more we will be protected against Satan’s lures and lies.”
God calls for us to dress for battle! Would you report for duty this day? Would you ask Jesus for forgiveness, protection, direction? The Lord wants His people dressed in His armor and on mission with Him in this world!
If you’re not saved tonight, come get saved, and put on the whole armor of God!
