2009 Spiritual Warfare Series, Part 7
Ephesians 6:17
The Helmet of Salvation
In
1845 two ships carrying 138 of
A) Task? To chart the N.W.
Passage around the Canadian Arctic to the
B)
They hoped that this effort would be the turning point in Arctic Exploration: History shows it
was!
1)
Not because of its success, but because of its
failure.
C) The Ships never returned and every crew
member perished.
1)
And those who followed in the expedition’s path to the pole learned this
lesson: Prepare for the Journey!
D)
It seems that
Although
the voyage was projected to last 2 to 3 years, they only carried a 12 day
supply of coal for the auxiliary steam engines.
A)
What they lacked in fuel they made up for in entertainment.
B)
Each ship carried a 1,200 volume library
1) A hand organ, china place settings for officers and
men, cut glass wine goblets and sterling flatware
2)
More prepared for a Caribbean Cruise than an Arctic Expedition
C)
The sailors didn't bring any special clothing to protect them from the cold.
1)
Only the uniforms of her majesty's fleet- Noble -
respectful, but thin and inadequate
As
these two ships sailed, ill-prepared into frigid waters the inevitable occurred
- ice coated the deck - the sea froze around
the rudder - the ship was trapped
A)
The crew was stuck in freezing temperatures dressed in their fine uniforms but
not able to survive the conditions.
B)
They all died - either from starvation or because they froze to death - Because not prepared for the journey
Now,
how does that relate to what we are talking about? Spiritual Warfare?
A)
Been said: "The
Christian life is not a playground but a battleground." Our enemy would like us to think the
opposite.
B) THINK we are on
a cruise ship - Focus on fun pleasure & entertainment
C) Danger
for us to get
so wrapped up in our present surroundings
1)
That lose sight of what God has for us / where we are going?
C)
The piece of armor we are going to focus on tonight is about being prepared for the journey – RD V.10-17
Background:
Just before going into
battle, the Roman soldier would put on a helmet, either made of bronze or of leather
with pieces of metal covering it.
It also had cheek pieces to
protect part of his face.
Protecting the Head is of
key importance.
Your
head is a very important part of your body, because it contains your brain,
which controls everything.
A)
Your head determines how you function in
life.
B)
If your brain is working properly it affects how other parts of your body work.
1)
A brain injury can affect your motor skills and your ability to think clearly.
Your
head determines how you think about all of life. World View
A)
Priorities, morals, standards – all connected to how you think.
B)
How you think in large part determines how you feel and how you act.
As
Jonathan Edwards said, “The ideas and images in
men’s minds are the invisible powers that constantly govern them”
For
example, if you’re an angry person, it is (to put it bluntly) because you are
thinking selfishly.
A) You think, “I have my rights!
B) I’m not going to let that
person treat me that way! I want my way!”
1)
Angry people think that the world owes them something. Entitled to
something
C) How they think determines
how they feel about life and how they act.
1) In
the worst cases, they injure or kill others to get what they want.
The
piece of Armor we are looking at tonight is about Head Protection.
A) LT – Chargers –Pads /
shoes / pants – Charge into the game – runs up the middle – Helmet
B) The Helmet of Salvation –
is meant to allow us to Charge into Life – Go for it in Christ!
C) There are 2 things
I want to focus on about helmet of Salvation
#1
What is the Helmet of Salvation.
#2
How this Helmet affects our lives.
#1 What is the Helmet of Salvation?
A) When the Bible talks
about our Salvation - need to realize it is speaking of a complete Salvation.
B)
Our view of Salvation will determine how we live in a sinful world.
C) We view
everything—values, money, entertainment, the arts, or politics—from the
perspective of being saved people.
D)
Understanding the doctrine of salvation equips us to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil.
Several years ago one of the astronauts who
walked on the moon was interviewed and asked, "What do you think about as
you stood on the moon and looked back at the earth?"
The
astronaut replied, "I remembered how the spacecraft was
built by the lowest bidder."
We as Christians
can rejoice that the work of salvation did not go to the "lowest
bidder" but was performed by an infinite God. Precious
thing.
A)
Fills our hearts with wonder – consider what we were saved from: Hell / guilt /
Aimless life / bondage/ fear
Frustration
–
B)
Saved unto: Eternal life – Knowing God – heaven
Eternity
– rule reign – peace – Joy – purpose - PTL!
C)
When the Bible talks about Salvation – Complete Salvation –
1)
Jesus seeks to make us whole – Whole pp
His
work of Salvation covers our Past, Present, and our future.
A) Past: Know sins are forgiven. Past penalty of sin is taken away.
B) God takes away the past
penalty of our sin as we come to Christ.
C) Also
Present: we are being freed from the present power of sin in our
lives {ON GOING
Romans
6 - tells us that our old man has been crucified w/ Christ - been raised to
walk in a newness of life
D) Free now in Jesus to
present ourselves to God and his righteousness
1)
Instead of presenting ourselves to the flesh and unrighteousness.
So
the past
aspect of the helmet of salvation is that God has rescued you from
the penalty of sin through faith in Christ.
The present aspect of salvation is that God is
rescuing you from the power of sin, which gives you assurance of salvation.
But
there’s also a future aspect: the helmet looks forward to when I will be
delivered from presence of sin itself.
A)
And all that goes along with it! - Pain; heartache; the sickness and
disease - heart aches - back aches - all gone
B) It is Hope we have as
Christians that we are "going to
heaven"
Paul makes this very clear in 1
Thessalonians 5:8 - Speaking of the Coming again of our Lord - "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."
A) Hope is not - I hope I make it. Hope =
Absolute expectation of coming good!
Bank on it!
B) Having on the Helmet of Salvation means that I can stand
absolutely assured that He has gone to prepare a place for me.
C) Absolutely assured - He
is coming back for me!
"I
will come again and receive you to myself"
D)
That I have an inheritance in Christ Jesus - that is incorruptible,
undefiled - doesn't fade reserved in
heaven for you!
E) And in
1)
This is what He is doing
Lord
says I am going to show you how serious I am - going to give you a guarantee -
earnest money.
A.) Earnest money
- is the H.S. in you! Live in you. Walk
w/ you - reveal my word to you. Help you
out!
B) Make sure you make it!
So
having on the Helmet of salvation means that I know that my past has been taken
care of.
A) My present is covered –
Jesus is working and will perfect the work that he started.
B) My Future is secure!
Realizing
we have that hope should #2 RADICALLY affect our lives.
Consider 3 ways
1st
–By Protecting against discouragement:
A) In the
B)
Call them the Satan’s THREE D’S
DOUBT – DISCOURAGEMENT -
DISTRACTION
B) The Helmet of salvation
is meant to protect us from discouragement and doubting our salvation.
C) I think all of us have
had times in our walk where something happened some fall – give into the flesh
– Discouraged
1) Start wondering – If I am
really saved.
D)
My Dad’s temper – first saved! – Discouraged and doubting.
When
I have on the helmet of salvation – I remember why I am saved.
A) Not my performance but it
is the performance of Jesus
B) I remember that Jesus
freed me from the penalty of sin –
1) He is currently freeing
me from the power of sin.
2) One day He will free me
from the Presence of sin.
The Helmet serves as
protection against doubt when someone I love dies who knew Jesus – I have an
assurance. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 -
But I do not want
you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you
sorrow as others who have no hope. We have hope
When
the world around me is just not making sense I start to get discouraged things
are not falling into place. -
A)
Helmet provides protection from discouragement because I am reminded that this
world is not my home!
B) Realize that as bad as it
gets it is in line w/ what He said would take place / before Lord returns get
worse not better
Bb)
Reminded that this is as bad as it gets for those who know the Lord - All
upward and onward from here
C)
See these things coming down - okay - I
know where my home is! Know who my Lord is!
1)
Things don't come together like I planned - no problem it’s coming together in
Him - with him!
D)
I am ___ yrs old and still single – Ok – My hope is in Him
1)
Running as fast and as hard as I can - Running alongside of me.
Hebrews
6:19 This hope we
have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast,
E)
In the midst of this Chaotic world – the Helmet of salvation serves as an
Anchor – keep me stable
1)
Focused – Secure.
1st
Protects us from Discouragement
2nd By Preparing us for the Journey!
A) The Helmet of Salvation
is great protection against Satan’s 3rd tactic of attack DISTRACTION.
B)
If Satan can’t get you doubting your salvation or discouraged by life –
1)
He will try to Distract us from running hard after Jesus
C) But When I realize Jesus
has gone to prepare a place for me and coming again for me!
1)
I’m reminded this world is not my home!
Light!
A) Amazed at how Jr. High and
High School girls pack for a weekend – Camp! – 5 Suitcases
B) Whole room – Crazy
C) Living in
1) Aaron and Amy Car seats –
Pack that trunk
Perfect – no extra room
D) Denise’s mom – Cathy –
always tried to send us home with a Box – NO ROOM – MOM
When
I am living in the reality that heaven is my Destiny – Pilgrims sojouners –
travel light
A) No room for excess
baggage in my life.
B) No room for unnecessary
attachments -
C)
Numbers 15:38 - Lord told his people - throughout all generation they were to
wear a ribbon of blue / blue color of heaven! Home!
1) Good idea - blue jeans - going to
heaven!
D) Running the race
to win – Laying aside weights and sin –
1) Weights are just those unnecessary
attachments that – weigh us down - Distract us from the race.
Satan
loves to Distract us – loves to see Christians getting bogged down by the cares
of this world
A)
In parable of Sower - given sad description of this - seed fell among thorns -
sprang up - life - but choked out
Jesus
said the one who
received the seed among the thorns is the one who hears the Word and the cares
of this world and the deceitfulness of riches chokes the word and it becomes
unfruitful
B)
Choked out by the cares of this world - Happens to many
1)
But the opposite happens when I'm living
for heaven
C) I view everything thru
that lens – Heaven – His kingdom – Eternity
Much
greater effect when living for eternity - and not here.
A) Why? Eternity is about
people: kids being w/ dad - bride w/ bridegroom
B) Here is about
things! -
C) People buried in
Cadillac’s (Drive up pearly gates)
D) How
prepare for the Journey? Been
said can’t take it w/ you but can send
it ahead - Store up treasure in heaven!
Preparation
will be marked by 3 things: Watchfulness, Purity, Readiness.
Watchfulness:
For the grace of
God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present
age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Purity
And everyone who has this hope in Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Readiness 1Peter 1:3,
13-15
Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us
again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be
sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at
the revelation of Jesus Christ; as
obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your
ignorance; but as He who called you is
holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
Having
on the Helmet of Salvation should affect our lives by
1st BY Protecting from Discouragement
2nd
– BY Preparing us for the Journey.
3rd BY Motivating
us for Ministry Turn to
V.1 - He knew his
hour had come to depart from this world to the Father
A)
When I have on the Helmet of Salvation reminded this could be the final hour
B)
Note phrase: having
loved those - his - loved to the end
C)
2ndly - v.3 - He knew from where He came - knew where He was going - there’s'
the hope - going home to Father
Our lives - know where you
came from? Sin separated - ticket to hell - now - going to heaven
A)
Pulled us out of the pit and set us on a rock!
Knowing Hour - knowing where
going - what does He do? V.4,5
A)
Washes feet! Takes role of servant and
washes feet
B) V.13-15 - Do as I have
done
C)
Motivates us to impact lives!
What
does it mean practically to wash feet?
A) Serve: Come along side
someone in need.
B) Seek to serve them –
C) Life becomes about not
what I can get – but what can I give.
Having on the Helmet
motivates us for ministry: I want to
affect people’s lives for the Kingdom!