Text: Eph 6:17
A. Describing the helmet of salvation.
Roman helmet. a. Brow ridges – protecting the eyes and nose. b. Cheek plates – protecting the head and face. c. Back plates – protecting the neck.
Salvation. a. Saved from trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-7). b. By God’s grace (Eph 2:8). c. Through human faith (Eph 2:8-10).
B. Defending with the helmet of salvation.
Protecting the eyes. a. The brow ridges protect against blows to the eyes, which is important for sight. b. Likewise, the helmet of salvation guards us in what we see (Mat 6:22-23). c. It is important to guard our eyes because they affect our thoughts (Mat 5:28-29) – we ought to set our sights on Christ (Heb 12:2).
Protecting the head. a. The cheek plates protect against blows to the head, which is important for thought. b. Likewise, the helmet of salvation guards us in what we think (Pro 23:7). c. It is important to guard our thoughts because they affect our actions (Mar 7:21-23) – we ought to renew our mind (Rom 12:2).
Protecting the neck. a. The back plates protect against blows to the neck, which is important for movement. b. Likewise, the helmet of salvation guards us in what we do (Mat 7:17-20). c. It is important to guard our actions because they affect others (Mat 18:6-9) – we ought to do all things for the edification of others (2Co 12:19).
C. Donning the helmet of salvation.
Wearing it personally. a. One will not be protected by having others wear the helmet for him. b. But some think that they can be saved by the merits of others. c. One has to work out his own salvation (Php 2:12).
Wearing it correctly. a. One will not be protected by wearing the helmet a different way than it is designed. b. But some think that they can be saved by any way they choose. c. One has to obey God’s plan of salvation (Act 8:35-38).
Wearing it continually. a. One will not be protected by wearing the helmet once and then taking it off. b. But some think that they will always be saved once they are baptized no matter what they do. c. One has to remain faithful unto death to receive the crown of life (Rev 2:10).