The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit

1. The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6:17 By Mr. Nath Nmadu

2. Text: Ephesians 6:10 - 17 • 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour 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.

3. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

4. INTRODUCTION/RECAP Eph. 1:1 • Paul an Apostle (a Messenger) of Christ Jesus by the will of God (Acts 9:15 chosen instrument, Acts 13:1-5 set apart) An approved & accredited messenger with a message

5. INTRODUCTION/RECAP Eph. 1:1 • Paul an Apostle (a Messenger) of Christ Jesus by the will of God (Acts 9:15 chosen instrument, Acts 13:1-5 set apart) An approved & accredited messenger with a message • To the saints and the faithful in Ephesus - Saints: cleansed, separated, set apart cf. Jn 17:6-26 (esp. Vs.14 & 16) II Cor 6: 14 - 17 - Ephesus: Acts 19, Rev 2:1-7 (esp. vs.4 & 5)

6. Helmet of Salvation

7. What is salvation? • Deliverance, being saved from harm or danger • Elements of salvation: - a certain danger or harm - a state of helplessness against the danger - an intervention by a competent and able superior to avert the harm or danger - acceptance of the offer to be saved

8. Christian salvation • Moral and spiritual deliverance, being saved from the power and penalty of sin • Salvation now and salvation to come • Salvation is total and complete • Salvation is by grace Eph 2:8 & 9 • Receiving salvation Rom 10:8 - 13

9. Salvation brings: • Forgiveness of sins • Peace with God • Peace within us • Peace around us • Change in citizenship and allegiance (Therefore a new warfare starts)

10. The cost of our salvation • Forgiveness/remission of sin is through the blood Heb 9:22 • In spite of their costs the blood of bulls failed to meet the requirement Heb 10:4 • Through Christ’s blood we have salvation Eph 1:7 • The Garden of Gethsemane Luke 22: 40 – 46 • The Cross Mat 27: 45 & 46 • The Captain (Prince) of our peace Isa 9:4-7

11. The mystery of our salvation • We are undeserving of such lavish love – purely an act of God’s grace. Eph 1:7-8 Eph 3:14-19 • Salvation plan predates creation! (It was wasn’t accidental!) Eph 1:4 • Salvation doesn’t make sense to the natural man I Cor 1: 18 – 25 (stumbling block and foolishness)

12. The purpose of our salvation • To the praise of His glorious grace Eph 1:6 • So the saints might be for the praise of His glory Eph 1:12 • Redemption of God’s possession is to the praise of His glory Eph 1:14 Note: Eph 1:17 He is the Father of glory (Glorious Father)

13. Jesus said good works brings praise to God Mat 5:16 • Eph 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, re-created, repaired, restored through salvation in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance (before creation) for us to do

14. Jesus said good works brings praise to God Mat 5:16 • Eph 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, re-created, repaired, restored through salvation in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance (before creation) for us to do • We are on display to showcase what His glorious grace can do so that praises can go to Him.

15. Fringe benefits of our salvation • The main benefit of salvation is the translation from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God so we can fulfil God’s purpose of our salvation. • All other things are additions Mat 6:33 • Everything that pertains to life and godliness has been given to us II Pet 1:3 GOD HIMSELF IS THE FOCAL POINT OF SALVATION AND NOTHING SHOULD DISTRACT FROM THAT TRUTH

16. Salvation as an armour piece • Peace (peace with God, inner peace and with others) Phil 4:7 • We are connected to God and His mighty power is working in us and through us because we are saved Eph 1: 18-23 Eph 3:20-21 • As members of God’s family we enjoy rights and privileges of His Kingdom Eph 2: 19, Eph 1:3 (Every spiritual blessing) • Our light of salvation exposes and rebukes the works of darkness Eph 5:8-11 • Salvation itself is a demonstration of God’s power over the kingdom of darkness

17. The Sword of the Spirit

18. The Word • Jesus as the Word John 1:1 -5 • The words of Jesus/the words of the Father/the word of the Holy Spirit - They are Spirit and life John 6:63 - They shall no pass away Luke 21:33 - They cleanse John 15:3 - They build up Acts 20:32 • The Bible is the word of God revealed to man

19. Salvation and the word • Salvation comes through hearing the word Rom 10:17 • Spiritual growth comes through the word I Peter 2:2

20. The Bible: A Treasure chest • A revelation of who God is • A revelation of who we are in Christ (our position, our rights, our responsibilities, etc) • A revelation of how in the newness of our lives we can bring praise and glory to God • Spiritual blessings come from spiritual insight through the word Eph 1: 15 -23

21. The word as an armour piece The heart and the word Jeremiah 17:9 Amplified Bible (AMP) The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

22. The word as an armour piece Proverbs 4:23 Amplified Bible (AMP) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

23. The word as an armour piece Hebrews 4:12 Amplified Bible (AMP) For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

24. Conclusion • 16May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. • 17May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

25. 18That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; • 19[That you may really come] to know [practically, [b]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses [c]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] [d]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and [e]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

26. 20Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]-- • 21To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

27. AMEN!