Summary: Part three on the armor of God. The sword of the Spirit and the power of the Word of God working in our lives.

Armor of God/Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:10-18

Introduction:

We have been looking at the armor of God for several weeks now and this morning I will attempt to finish by looking at the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

I want to take 5 minutes and tell you the importance of your vote in the next few days. If you are not registered to vote shame of you. It still applies and I hope that you will at least be praying for the elections.

This country is in a mess. The country is divided not only by political parties but by moral objections. Divided by where God stands in our nations fiber of belief. The right to life weather it is in the mother’s womb or weather we will develop a merciful way of killing people after they reach a age of un-productivity.

I believe there are Christians on both sides of party lines, but I must confess I do not always understand where both sides get some of their reasoning.

If you do not think that this is spiritual warfare, I don’t know what planet you are living on.

Ephesians 6:10-18

we have looked at the Belt of truth- what we believe, why we believe it.

Breastplate of Righteousness- clothing ourselves with Jesus Christ, understanding we are righteous because of Christ, not ourselves.

Last week the shield of Faith- the armor of God that helps us keep off the fiery arrows of the enemy. When the enemy attacks, when life get’s hard, shielding yourself with your faith and beliefs, using the spiritual tools available to live victorious and productive lives for Christ. This morning the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

I. The helmet of salvation

(v16) “ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With the shield of faith out front, the helmet of salvation as you protection, swing the word of God as your sword and be praying and making a difference.

1 Thess. 5:8 gives us a better look at the helmet.

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet of hope of salvation.”

The helmet we do not have to spend a lot of time talking of the importance. The soldier could survive a broken arm, but a blow to the head is fatal. Hope is the spiritual covering of the head. We can say “I hope it doesn’t rain” actually that sentence contains doubt and an expectation we cannot do anything about it.

1 Thess. 5:7- “For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night, but we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting our faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of our salvation as a helmet.”

Faith, love, hope are three Godly essentials. Faith is of the heart. God gave it to us.

We may not understand all that God does but we can still put faith in Him. A person can survive several days without food and water, but take away hope and that person will not last long. Our hope is built on nothing less, then Jesus blood and righteousness. Our hope is built on the eternal life of God. Our hope is built on the promises of God, knowing that God cannot lie. Our helmet of hope is that we must not get confused with the pleasures of this world.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope is the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.

Psalms 25:4-5

Show me your ways O Lord’ teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are my God my savior. Hope provides an anchor. Something to hold unto. Faith needs hope to survive.

The helmet of God protects us from the bumps in the road, just like a helmet protects motorcyclist, bicyclist. You can usually tell who wears the helmet, one is standing up right and moving forward, the other is bandaged up and can’t figure which way is up.

II The sword of the Spirit

“Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”

To be a Christian is to be a warrior.

It is realizing that you are on a battlefield.

It is realizing that God’s word says that when you have done all that you know to do “stand firm” . It is a military term for the believer s to maintain ground and not lose it.

No battle is ever won by accident

No Christian lives victorious by chance.

Your relationship with God cannot go deeper unless you determine that you want more out of the relationship. To let things go on it’s own does not usually have a good ending when it concerns kingdom work.

God word says “Take the sword” it is not an option God gives.

It is not a debate, compromise, take the sword of the Spirit.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is living and active ; sharper than any double edged sword” . The word of God needs to be living and active in your lives.

Psalms 119:11

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you”. The word of God is where we draw our authority over Satan. “And I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. How? By standing on the promises of God and by using the word of God as your offensive weapon to be soldiers of Christ.

In order to use God’s word as a weapon, you have to know God’s word well. Believers struggling to know who they are in Christ, always moving backward because of unbelief. You need to settle issues with God and move forward to be soldiers for Christ. The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon we have. Faith helps us apply the word of God, grace helps us fight off the flaming arrows.

Closing:

I’m winding down to a close.

I know the Holy Spirit uses some sermons, but it is only the word of God in it, the Holy Spirit anointing in the words. Words by me or by any other preacher of themself carries no power. The power is in God’s words. “It is written” is the master hand in power. I believe in the inspiration of God’s Holy word, It was powerful when it was written and it is still powerful today

There you have it- the armor of God- much more could be said but I believe you get the message. One last application, you tie all these pieces together of God’s armor with prayer. Prayer must fasten them together.

Isaiah 55:11

“It is the same with my word, I send it out, and it always produces fruit, it will

accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

In the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remember that our goal in our war of Satan’s kingdom is to set people free (including ourselves) and the word of God is effective weapon.

Apostle Paul said examine yourselves to see weather you are of the faith.

If you are - take the armor that God gives us and be soldiers for Christ.

If you cannot say that you are a believer, before you put on any of God’s armor, you must turn your life over to Jesus

Altar call:

ABC”S of salvation