The Believer's Armor, Part 5: The Helmet of Salvation, Part 1

And so God is not just given us a past salvation, not even just to maintaining a present salvation, but as given to us a tremendous flow. It will be and it will be able to finish and that's exactly what the helmet of salvation. Salvation Winchester mystery House supposedly is a means to gaining eternal life. She ordered construction and reconstruction honor mansion that literally went on around the clock for 38 years. For those who worked on the house. It must've seemed that there was no end in sight. Maybe that's how you feel as you consider the spiritual battles in your life.

The struggles without temptation, and discouragement. But the fact is, you could put those struggles behind you sooner than you may think let John MacArthur show you how to stand up to Satan's attacks by putting on the believers armor. That's the name of his current study on grace to you, the believers armor and now here's the lesson. Ephesians 613 through 17 tremendous passage we have all presenting to us the resources for gaining the victory in the Christian life, at least as far as the battle with Satan and his demons.

His concern after giving us all the resources and all the functions of a believer through the end of chapter 5 and on to chapter 6, he now says get ready for a conflict because it will not be easy.

You will be withstood.

You will be sidetracked. You will be attacked you will be thwarted at every possible angle where Satan can succeed. Now remember, this also.

The Bible discusses the Christian life's conflict in three dimensions. In Galatians chapter 5 for example, there is a conflict seen in the life of a believer between the flesh and the spirit.

In John chapter 15 there is a conflict seen in the life of the believer between the Christian and the world. And really, Paul is not zeroing in here here on the world on the flat but he zeroing here on the conflict between the believer and the demon hosts themselves. You can really extricate them from the other two, because there were works of the world in the flesh, but he gets to the core of the matter here. How does a believer live this life in victory with the tremendous amount of opposition is going to get from what verse 11 calls the wiles of the devil and what verse 12 calls, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and wicked spirits in high places. How can we really gain the victory in this very sophisticated warfare.

Well if you go back a little bit. Let me just give you some basics back in chapter 3 verse 20 we have a great truth. This is the summation of the first three chapters because of all that Christ has done for us because of all that is really involved in being in Christ. Now I was able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

This is the sum of the believer's position, we have the power we have the resource needed. Therefore chapter 4 verse one because the power is there to glorify God because the power is there. We are to walk worthy as we have the resources and were to walk worthy key to that chapter 5 verse 18. How do you tap the power to walk worthy not drunk with wine, which is also TL but be filled with the spirit we have the resource which makes us responsible to walk in the right way we tap the resource through the filling of the spirit, you shall receive power, after the spirit is come upon you said our Lord and we tap that power, we will be victorious. Now when you come to chapter 6 is really nothing to fear. You see, the power is there, therefore the command is there on the resource to tap that power in the spirit of God resident in the life of every Christian.

And so we can go into the Army in writing of the war with a sense of accomplishment and victory at hand, but that doesn't mean the battles and to be easy does it. We all struggle. The battle goes on and on and it's just relentless.

Some of us are winning some of us are losing. Maybe some of your sort of in the lower right now and you're not winning or losing.

But that's way will be as long as you live in this world.

The battle will go on and on and on and I think as you grow in Christ as your feet on the word as you mature.

What happens is you. You begin to win more than you lose in the percentage of winning gets higher and higher. Everybody experiences the victories everybody experiences defeats in the back received a letter from radio listener to our program in Boston is what he said. Dear John MacArthur, your ministry is been of significance to me and I want to take this opportunity to thank you personally as well as express my desire to lend you financial support. I'm a young man of 23 years and came to Jesus Christ at the age of 19.

In that time I have grown and the word staggered fallen down been crushed been convinced by a neurotic legalist that I was demon possessed, been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, gotten a woman friend pregnant and finally begun to regain my spiritual sense I'd say just off had he been in the battle everything as you can see is just been fine goes on I like this part.

Please send me some ammunition. The battle lines are drawn, the trenches are being dug, and I'm not going to be one of those caught shamefaced when our commanding officer return when the record is being reviewed. I want it written that the soldier in question, namely me after repeatedly disobeying orders and going AWOL during wartime alert finally dawned his armor reported back to his commanding officer fought courageously and fearlessly without batting an eye to the enemy with everything he get his hands on and inflicted heavy damage in strategic areas to the credit of his patient, forgiving commanding officer Raymond I like and he says at the end remember me in your prayers please. Sincerely parenthesis with the sin covered CT and he's been in the battle has. He's been in the battle so you sold by being victorious in the battle as a matter of putting on the armor is a school back to the armor in verse 14 and following see what the spirit of God would say to us today, but remember first of all, in verse 14 stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truthfulness.

We discussed that what the apostle Paul is talking about here is not so much content that comes in the last piece of armor the word of God is not so much the content as it is the attitude and is using a like they are in the sense of an attitude of truthfulness or commitment or no hypocrisy. In other words, you're driving your loins the old Jewish expression reading readiness anticipation soldier is ready for the battle. He's made his commitment. He joined the Army is good as long as it is going to be a winner. We saw how important it is going to win the victory to make the commitment to victory from the very beginning. Secondly we saw in verse 14, the breastplate of righteousness. We said that another thing that must arm the Christian is his own purity of life, righteousness, holiness, practical righteousness and then thirdly, we saw that we are to have our feet shod with the readiness or the preparation of the gospel of peace and the idea here is that the gospel of peace is the good news that we are at peace with God seems to be the long-range kind of armor and other words this is what you keep on all the time and the battle gets really hot you pick up the rest in the verb changes in verse 16, to taking in verse 17 take the helmet and a soldier would have his breastplate secured on it would have his shoes secured on it would have his belt secured on and when the battle got Heidi would grab his helmet pulled on. Take a sword and take up the shield and so it's as if these and that kind of immediate preparation for when the arrows really begin to fly. And so we moved into verse 16.

Last time and discussed on top of everything else we take the shield of faith with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

We talked about how Satan wants to shoot his arrows of temptation and the only way we can quench those as with faith, would you believe you believe Satan is send you believe God sets up the shield of faith want to go to the fifth piece of armor tremendous tremendous truth in verse 17 and take the helmet of salvation.

That's all it says about you say what is there in the helmet of salvation. It's easy to say no, not that started about home early so she would go to battle without a helmet may be fooling Roman soldier. Be very careful to get his helmet on helmets are made out. Basically two things leather with some patches of metal on pieces of metal or else those molded solid cast tell what you see with the blue depending on what regiment, what function, what period of time you're involved but helmet was very important to protect the hat from what well from perhaps arrows flying around for one thing, the primarily from what was known as a broadsword. It was not only the much higher of the little dagger that uses in verse 17, but there was in the midst of a battle those who carried the broadsword, which was from 3 to 4 feet long longer than your yardstick and had a huge massive handle that you held a baseball bat you just lift it over your head and went around trying to create split personalities basic was the idea you'd be riding on a horse and you be flailing away at some footmen down there in on so the broadsword was tremendous weapon and you want to have a helmet to deflect a blow from a broadsword belief because it would deal a heavy crushing splitting blow to the school was interesting recently that was reading a newspaper. They have discovered a skeleton somewhere in the that had cleavage right through the skull that they assume it been made by somebody who flattened the broadsword right into its skull was very necessary. Now the helmet here is the helmet of salvation only say that does not refer to being saved.

He's not saying now that you're in the Army and now that you're fighting Satan. And now that you got the breastplate of righteousness on and now that you got your shoes shod with the preparation of gospel based on knowledge, you have the shield of faith, get say that that's already happened. When you are even in the Army lesser believer right if you're fighting Satan at all you got to be on God's side. If you're not with them, you're against them so if if you're in the battle against Satan you're already say is not talking about that helmet of salvation is not getting sick is not seen by the way, fifth get say on that same chapter to write for by grace are you saved through faith that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God not of works as any man should boast and save.

This is not getting say you be in the Army. If you want a believer.

Satan wouldn't be at you if you weren't a believer writing leave you alone is Artie got you. You be fighting God. So if you're in the Army and the war is going on. You are already a believer that is already taken place, the helmet of salvation is not saying you need to be say a say, what is it saying only give you little theology. NASA just get comfortable. Take your pencil or panic thank you notes and let's see what we can see about this. First of all I have to understand this or you're not going to understand a lot of things people confuse you know about eternal security and asked Milton Hubley once saved always say what about my aunt Martha, you know, she went along so long in interest he was gone.

This year's and she and all this people are concerned about even in their own lives. They commit some sins. I feel guilty well at all time saved anymore. Allawi in on the other thing is young people you know you asked him. Have you ever given your life to Christ. The city at 24 times in an altered repeating we go over and over again just to be sure I did it again today and and that kind of thing we really get a grasp on the security of the believer. Well first of all by understanding the meaning of salvation to begin by saying was very simple beginning. There are three aspects to salvation. Three aspects, past, present and future, and he's been simply defined in this way the past aspect frees us from the penalty of sin. The past aspect frees us from the penalty of sin. In other words, if you save your your Christian of you been saved on say yes when there have been well so many years ago and at that point, when I confess Jesus Christ invited him into my life and my sins were placed on him on the cross as it were, and he paid the penalty for my soon that's in the past, the penalty is paid. I died was crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live right by God: Romans six is saying that in essence he is saying you died once it only to die again.

When did you die, you died when you put your faith in Christ you were crucified with him. The penalty was paid. Sin was dealt with. There's never any more penalty to pay Romans 81 says there is therefore now no what condemnation to them or in Christ. That's take care. So the past aspect of salvation is freedom from the penalty of sin is the president freedom from the power of sin.

Sin no longer has what dominion over you sin no longer has dominion over you said has no reigning power sin is no dominance, why because he is faithful and just to keep on cleansing us from all sin.

You know you can never even get one soon laid against your account.

Romans eight says who is who is he that lays anything to the charge of God's elect.

Nobody no condemnation is forgiven you all your trespass for his namesake keeps on purifying keeps on purging. It's like Jesus said to Peter, you have a bath one time and in the rest of your life.

Just wash your feet, Lord Basey was at work. Salvation duster feet off with his cleansing day by day by day, so there's a present aspect.

I have been saying I am being say if I have been saved. Romans five rather it says I was saved by his death. I am being saved by his life. In other words he ever ever lives to make what intercession for me and so there's this constant salvation going on. I have been saved from the penalty I end being saved from sin's power.

Romans five 1011 if we were enemies and were reconciled to God by the death of his son, how much more shall we be saved now by his life. We are being saved now continually as he constantly cleanses us and so there is that element and there's a future for in the past would be safe in the penalty of sin in the present from the power of sin in the future.

The presence of sin. You know there's coming a day when nobody no more sin.

That's right, you know how I know because the book of Revelation says will be no more death, and the wages of sin is what death, no death notice and will be like in first John three says will be like him, for we shall see him as he is and he is sinless, spotless, without flaw, without blemish is coming a day when will be safe in the presence of sin. Now listen people, salvation has happened is happening and will have less justification is that sanctification will that's glorification and Romans eight says, whom he justifies he sanctifies and glorify you see so you think of salvation. You do not think of salvation in terms of something in the back and you do not think of salvation like some cults think of it, or even some in the Roman church is something that has to be waited for in the future is past, present and future now as it is passed it is done if it is also present that you can lose it right because of continually going on and if it is guaranteed in the future that you are absolutely secure.

That is the heart and soul of the meaning of salvation the past aspect, the present and the future. We illustrate this by having a look at Romans 823 and want to show you several scriptures that I think will really help you to understand and Romans 823 we read this well is backup diverse 22 Apollo's talking here about the curse is talking about how sin is affected creation and made it subject to vanity, but that still there's hope for something different. You know the world is going to get better. Did you know that it is going to get better.

In fact, the was a get perfect is going to get perfect, but that's only when Jesus can't is not to get perfect by man's efforts and so hope is a very important part of Christian experience. In verse 23 says we know the whole creation groans and travails in pain together till now. In other words, the whole world knows it out of whack knows that something is desperately wrong. Even the created order is chaotic and not only they, verse 23, but ourselves.

Also, we know things are right. We know this is the way God intended.

We know this is the way God made life to be. We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit. We groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption. That is the redemption of our body. Listen, our souls have been say and are being say and Sunday our bodies together with those souls will be saved so that there will be absolute holiness and that's what verse 20 for me. We are saved here in the home in is a better translation than by we are saved and how. So yes we been say, but this is that all there is.

Listen I know if somebody said to me, all you know salvation you receive. That's it. Forever you've got it now.

There's nothing more to be added to it. I say you mean I gotta fight the flesh. The rest of my life and throughout eternity.

You mean I gotta fight the devil like this. And I gotta live with the human weakness you mean, I know to stay in Roman seven to some degree trying out all wretched man that is in me, who shall deliver me in the body. It is that when the lion will submit you need for this is it that I would say to you, salvation is is incomplete if all the Lord does is aid me in the struggle that it never reaches fruition, but that is another.

There is a future element of salvation. That means that we will reach a point where there will be no sin at all.

And without that there's no hope for now. I mean it would be like running a race without a finish line summary saying start running and run the rest of your life. What what othersthat's right and you will you kidding you imagine God saying sulfite forever 01 why the Revelation says that when they died.

They rested from their labors right. I pace myself as it is now fed to pace myself for eternity.

I'd be doing most of the but there is a future element.

The Galatians 5 Galatians 5 for we through the Spirit.

Again, we must be talking about believers because it is the spirit of God, but creates the enablement we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith now is not talking about past element of salvation or the present feature, but he is talking about the fullness of it.

We are waiting in. We are will know that someday the battle will be over, and someday we will have to struggle with sin and the flax and the devil and the world and even Sunday will know the full righteousness look at first Peter chapter 1 verse three and here is a great benediction.

Peter says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In other words, he says we have been saved to a whole saved to a halt to hope for something and what is it to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled the fate of Nodaway reserved in heaven for you. Our hope is we are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation. What salvation a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time there is another motive salvation. The last time element is the consummation of living. When we go to heaven and receive the reward of the inheritance that is planned for us and because of that we don't mind. Verse six a season of heaviness and manifold trials see we don't mind a little pain there is a finish line.

We don't mind a little effort. There is a goal to reach. And so God is not just given us a pass. Salvation not even just the maintaining of present salvation, but as given to us a tremendous there will be an it will be a goal. There is a finish line. That's exactly what the helmet of salvation is the hope of ultimate salvation.

This is grace to you with John MacArthur. Thanks for being with us. John's current study from Ephesians 6 is looking at the believers armor was on the finish line you talked about today experiencing the fullness of salvation in heaven.

They have heard you say something like this about heaven. Next to being with the Lord Jesus Christ in worshiping with him forever. The thing you look forward to the most about heaven is something that will not be there so talk about that for a moment but obviously what will not be there is sin, book of Revelation makes it clear that anything that the files will not be there.

So yes, when I talk about heaven, I'm not so much enamored with sitting on a cloud, and playing a Harper sort of meandering through the use of the golden transparent streets are looking at the pearly gates are looking at the the jeweled foundations of the city certainly fit to be lost in that what the pure and just call the beatific vision the full glory of Christ on display so that there is no light in heaven because he is the light of heaven is an overwhelming reality but II think it's the it's the virtue of heaven. It's the holiness it's the utter absence of sin like I can even comprehend that kind of an experience I can't even imagine an experience where you never have a sinful moments thought you never ever say anything less that a God glorifying, edifying word you you you never do anything that's trivial or marginal or unnecessary.

You never say anything that's useless or trivial. I got a can't comprehend that as me so understanding that I would be that kind of person inglorious, literally overwhelming, so I guess what I'm saying is that the appeal of heaven is that all that you hate about this life here is gone and I think people sometimes think will want to get boring being there for ever them even perfection could get boring forever, but I think you failed to understand. There's no time there. So what heaven is, is one moment of perfection, perfect joy, perfect bliss, perfect holiness is that one moment that never ends.

So that's the purity of heaven. That is the attraction so I would say it's it's not so much what's going to happen outside of us. There is, what will have taken place inside of us that have a book on that call, the glory of heaven. If you don't have that book you need to get a copy of it. The glory of heaven, you're a believer you're going there and you need to know what to expect. If you're not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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If you're looking to grow in your love for God and his word if you're wondering what Scripture says about how to best serve your family in these chaotic times or if you want to know how to interpret particular passage of Scripture, you will most likely find a sermon on a blog article or devotional that will meet your spiritual need that website again TTY.org now for John MacArthur on Phil Johnson reminding you to watch grace to you television this Sunday on DirecTV channel 378 or check your local listings for javelin times and join us tomorrow when John looks at how the helmet of salvation can help you endure the trials you face.

It's another half hour unleashing God's truth one verse at a time on grace to you