The Whole Armour of God
Ephesians 6:10-18
"The Helmet of Salvation"
So far in our look at the Whole Armour of God, we have seen the first three peices provided for us, and put upon us. As a result of God's grace through faith we have received the belt of truth which is Christ. We have received the breastplate of righteousness which is a result of receiving Christ. It is righteousness given to us by what Christ has done at Calvary. And the preperation of the Gospel of peace in which we can firmly stand. The gospel is the good news that the victory has been given to us by God through Christ.
Last week we began looking ath the thing that are provided of God, but that we have to take up! The first was the Shield of Faith, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." The shield was a defensive weapon for the roman soldier. It could protect him in close combat, but was designed to protect from the long range attack that would come from arrows and spears. We talked about it's design and size and noted that these were the factors that helped protect the soldier. We noted it was not something the soldier wore, but he had to take up when going to battle. It had a leather covering that would be doused in water before the battle, this would help in extinguishing the flaming arrows of the enemy. We also considered what this shield represented for the christian. Paul calls it the shield of faith. we noted that it is not regarding the saving faith that we recieve from God when we accept Christ. We are already equipped with that, because we are saved by grace through faith. This shield of faith represents the faith we need daily to trust in God when trials & troubles come our way. The enemy knows if you have the belt which is Christ, he can't get to your heart because of the breastplate of God's righteousness. He knows he can't knock you off your feet, because you have that sure foundation that is the gospel. So know he's throwing flaming dart just trying to make the battle difficult and painful for you. So God has given us the shield of faith, so we can extinguish the flaming darts of the wicked. All we have to do is take up that shield and get behind it, Cover it in God's word, douse it in prayer and the wicked ones dart will just hit and fall to the ground.
This week we are ging to look at the next peice we are told to take up, the "Helmet of Salvation". Let's read through our scripture again, shall we....
"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Let's look at the soldiers helmet and it's purpose
1. The Soldiers Helmet
The Roman soldier helmet protects his skull and neck from his enemy’s weapon and from falling debris. Sometimes the soldier will put a sponge inside to serve as padding.
The soldier’s helmet, made of metal or leather, was designed to protect his head, the most vital part of the body. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted to a number of disabled soldiers. We saw them coming home without legs and arms but to lose one’s head means death.
2. The Christians Helmet
We know that the soldiers helmet protected his head and since this is a spiritual battle for the christian it is not literally the head we worry about, but our mind.I think we need some clarification here regarding the helmet of salvation. Last week when we looked at the shield of faith we noted that this was not the faith needed to bring us to salvation. That faith was laready provided for us by God. We can not take up a saving faith. So this week we are told to take the helmet of salvation. That would mean if we take it as Salvation from sin, that we had some power by taking it. We do not! Salvation is by God alone by grace alone through faith alone. We noted last week also that we did not make the shield, God did, he provided it for our use. Now God has also provided the helmet of salvation and since we said the purpose of the helmet for us was gaurd the mind, does that mean salvation is an intelectual matter. No it is a matter of the heart, faith. The helmet of salvation is provided for us to protect our mind. Why, because the enemy wil attack our minds.
Salvation is considered a process by most scholars;
1. Justification
Is what is done immediately when we accept Christ. We are without Sin, We are made righteous in the eyes of the Lord
2. Sanctification
Is the process we go through as christians as we are made into Christ image. Although we are righteous by Christ in God's eyes we are not without sin.
3. Glorification
The final step. This is when we will truly be as Christ when we are in His presence, are holy and perfect, without sin as he is!
This Helmet of Salvation is given us to take up or to use in the battle. It gaurds our minds against the wicked one.
The wicked one will wield his blows against our salvation. The helmet helps protect the mind in these situatiuons. The devil want you to question your salvation. John says we should examine ourselves that we might Know! The devil wants us filled with doubt! He wants us to question our salvation based on out past, Why would God send His Son to die for someone like you? He wants us to question our present, If you've been saved why are you still sinning? He wants us to question our future, Are you sure where you're going? He attacks our minds continually trying to find that chink in the armour. But if we take up the helmet of Salvation those blows can't get through to do us harm. Remember we are justified, made righteous. We are being Sanctified, being made more like him. And we are going to be Glorifiied, We will be like him!
3. Provided by God for Our Use
Again I want us to understand, that the whole armour of God is just that. It is Provided by God, it is of God, that we have available to us! we have not made one piece. The belt is Christ provided by God. The breastplate is God's righteousness, we are not righteous of our selves it is by Christ we are made righteous. The Gospel was prepared for us from the beginning, we had no part in it. It was not us who died on the cross to pay the penalty for all of mans sin. we could'nt because we have sin! God provided the means for salvation. It is Him who gave us the gift of faith to accept Christ, as well as to trust Him daily. And it is Him who gives us the helmet of Salvation to gaurd our minds! When the devil attacks our mind it is Salvation that gaurds us. We are Justified, we are being Sanctified, and we will be glorified! Next week we will look at the sword of the spirit... Let's pray!
