Helmet of Salvation
Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:18
Introduction-
We are winding down the series putting on the full armor of God.
We have looked at several of the body pieces and this morning we will look at the soldier’s helmet.
The helmet is essential to a soldier.
It is one of the last pieces he would put on before he would engage in battle.
We have looked at the belt of truth.
We have looked at the breastplate of righteousness.
We have the battle shoes- fitted for the gospel of peace.
The soldier would take up the shield of faith.
Ephesians chapter 6:10-6:18
Remember from last week-
Apostle Paul is describing hand to hand combat.
Not like today where a soldier can be killed and never know what hit them.
Shield of faith deflecting all the fiery arrows.
Making sure that even if he was hit, he would not drop his shield down because the next arrow flying could be fatal.
Now remember Apostle Paul is in prison looking at the soldier 24/7.
He is fastened to him.
He knows what each piece is supposed to accomplish and he is spiritually trying to describe the soldier so that believers can successfully learn how to engage in spiritual warfare and survive.
Paul says (v17)- “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”’ and with prayer- you are spiritually ready to do battle.
The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit should probably be talked about together, but for the sake of time, we will look at the helmet this week and probably end the series next week with the sword of the Spirit.
Let’s look at the helmet.
He is describing head protection that covered his head and had bans of metal that went to the side of his face to protect his head as well as both sides of his jaw.
Helmets are a big thing now. In the 50’s, 60’s, 70’, and even into the 80’s, helmets were not mandatory.
As a kid I rode a bike without a helmet.
We rode in the back of pick-ups.
We did not have seat belts- they were not even installed in cars yet.
Safety since 911 has been factored into every aspect of our lives.
USA has developed Homeland Security.
New York City is in the process of spending millions of dollars on cameras set up throughout the city to keep New Yorkers safe.
I am not saying that helmets are not important, but awareness of danger has been magnified because there is more chance of enemies unknown trying to destroy us.
I think Apostle Paul watching these soldiers realized the danger of their heads not being protected.
If something was falling from a building, would you want a hard hat on or a baseball cap on? Both are head coverings.
Illustration-
Local pastor friend of mine was riding his bike on HY 230 near the Penn State campus and rode over some train tracks, it stopped the bike instantly and catapulted him skidding on the ground, cracking his head on the road with his helmet on. The helmet completely split into 2 pieces. He was okay except for the scrapes and cuts from the road. Do you think he is an advocate for helmet safety? Of course he is!
What would have happened if that day he would have decided it was too hot to wear a helmet, or what if he just had it strapped to his bike? He could have been killed or seriously injured.
There is a difference from wearing a helmet and owning one.
Only one way to save you if you were in an accident or danger- having it on and properly wearing it.
Apostle Paul tells us one of the pieces of armor for a believer to be able to do spiritual battle when needed is the helmet of salvation.
To me that is a bit of a oxymoron because I think; does He really have to tell a believer to put on a helmet when doing battle- to protect your mind.
Maybe Paul was thinking ahead to our day and age when you can never take things for granted.
We live in an age where you buy a cup of coffer, and on that cup the words “Be careful! Contents hot” don’t put that hot cup of coffee between your legs while driving.
On a frozen dinner- suggestion- defrost before eating.
A packet of peanuts- caution- may contain peanuts.
On a chain saw- do not stop chain with hand.
We are having to change instruction manuals because common sense is out the window.
Illustration-
A person a few years ago bought a large Winnebago that had cruise control. This person set the cruise control and went to the back of the RV and began making a sandwich. When the RV crashed, he sued the company because it did not say in the manual- must stay behind the wheel while in cruise control. As Jeff Foxworthy says- here’s your sign” people are unbelievable.
Helmet of salvation.
The word helmet in the Greek carries a very descriptive meaning. In the original it means “Circle the head”, that is how a helmet functions. It encircles the head, it protects us from injury.
The helmet of salvation is past, present, and future.
Hang in there for a minute-
When we come to Christ, it is said that we are saved. That is true! We are saved from the punishment of sin. We do not have to fear what the unsaved people do- the frightening reality of Hell.
That is not where it ends-remember Paul is talking to believers. Past, present, and future.
We are saved from our past by the forgiveness of sins-
We are saved in the present, because He desires to protect and work with us in our everyday life against an enemy of our soul that wants to destroy us.
In our future, because one day when this world is all done, we will forever be in His presence.
Our helmet is the finished work of Christ- it is our confidence that He will never leave us or forsake us.
The helmet fits our heads and guards our mind from the enemy that wants you to stumble and wants to steal your joy away.
The helmet of salvation is a crucial piece of armor. We cannot survive without it.
Salvation is not something which only looks back.
The salvation which is in Christ gives us forgiveness from our sins of the past and strength to conquer in the days to come and allow us to finish the race of life.
The helmet protects our heads, where all the knowledge resides.
“If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciple.”
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I did not say that, Jesus said that!
Put your hard hat on folks
Be Holy minded-
Phil 4:8-
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, Whatsoever things are pure, think on these things.”
Be heaven minded-
Col 3:1-2
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Be Humble-
Phil. 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
Your helmet won’t fit you if your head is too puffed out .
I am saying this to you, the mind that knows Christ is a safe mind when the enemy attacks. The person spiritually ready to do battle is the one that would not even think about going to battle without his helmet.
The mind is the target place for most believer’s battles.
Power of the mind
Pollution of the mind
Potential of greatness of our minds.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste! Amen.
We have the potential to be over-comers. That is if Christ is protecting and directing our mind and thoughts.
God can transform our minds and He wants too. No one can change your mind but you. (repeat)
Closing:
We need all these pieces of armor to make it… some are not making it because you are not putting on the armor of God. You are trying to do it yourself.
There are 3 kinds of spiritual warfare:
(1) Casting out demons- Jesus did 78 miracles recorded in the Bible, only 8 were demon casting. You may never get called to cast out a demon- be ready with your armor and prayed up before you tackle something like that! Make sure God called you to that!
The second and third are more what the average person get involved in.
(2) Addictions, Abuse, Alienation, and recovering from the past- That is where most believers fight their biggest battles. Maybe that is you this morning. Going to put on the armor of salvation, the protection of your mind and allow God to get a victory in your life? Maybe that is you this morning? If you are raising the dead and casting out demons on a regular basis, you don’t need to take my advice this morning, if not, maybe this is for you this morning.
(3) Rotted relationships
We sacrifice people on the altar of personal preference and we miss what God wants to do in the situation and in our lives.
I know this, whatever your facing this morning, you need God to help you. (repeat)
I know this, for the last five weeks I have poured my heart out for you to grab the armor that God provides. Some will listen and some won’t listen or will not be willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Some have even missed half the messages, you can’t hear if your not here.
We serve a God that not only saves, but protects and strengthens and gives us victories. Who cares about you. Cares about what is going on in your life.
Call for response
prayer
