Jun. 04, 2023

Helmet of Salvation   Ephesians 6:17            6-4-23

MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (“Take” is in the Imperative – It’s REALLY IMPORTANT!)

Ephesians 6:13–14 ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth… (vs 14 “Stand” is in the Imperative – It’s REALLY IMPORTANT!)

- Satan Knows your MIND is the Control Center of your Life!

- The Devil’s Game Plan:

1.) He Operates by CONSENT & COOPERATION!

2.) He Needs a PERSON & PERMISSION!

            3.) He Targets the MIND & MEMORY!

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ⁴ The weapons we fight with… have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every (lofty opinion) that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

- A “STRONGHOLD” 

• Was Originally used to describe a “FORTRESS”
• BUT, by N.T. times, it Depicted a “PRISON” 

- A Fortresses’ primary purpose was to Keep Intruders Out!

- A Prisons’ primary purpose was to Keep Prisoners IN!

Psalm 51:10–12 ¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

- Conviction = GOOD (Holy Spirit) {Half-time Chat}

- Guilt = BAD (Satan Steals Conviction!) {PRISON!}

Acts 10:38 (ESV)  He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

- “Oppressed = GK Word: “Katadunasteuo” 

- “kata”–denotes something that is Dominating or Manipulating

- “dunamis” – refers to a Power that is Explosive.

- Biblical “Oppression” is “A Force that comes to Powerfully Dominate & Manipulate.”

- Two Hindrances to the Helmet of Salvation: 

1.) “We REMEMBER what we’re supposed to FORGET.”

Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

- SIN = “To Fall Short of the Mark” (Missing the Purpose for our Lives)

- TRANSGRESSION = “To Go Past” 

- TRESPASS = “Rebellious Wrongdoing”

- INIQUITY = “Deliberately Twisting or Perverting” (Attitude of “I just Don’t Care!”)

Theology 101: 

Beginning Point: Justification = Justified (Salvation) 
 

End Point: Glorification = Glorified 

Middle ground: Sanctification = Sanctification 

Jeremiah 31:34 (ESV) I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

John 10:27–30 ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 

³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

2.) “We FORGET what we’re Supposed to REMEMBER.”

Psalm 103:10–12 ¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 

Colossians 1:13 ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Ephesians 1:4–7 ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will… ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins

COMMUNION:

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”