The Helmet of Salvation
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together
Ephesians 6:13-18, Titus 3:3-7 (ESV)
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Sermon Outline
Whenever we put on the helmet of salvation it reminds us of three things:
1. We were once in bondage – Titus 3:3
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
2. We have been freed – Titus 3:4-6
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior
3. We are now heirs of God – Titus 3:7
so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life
Prayer of Confession
Heavenly Father, each day we are afflicted by the evil one, who desires to keep us in bondage. Too often, we do not put on your armor, we do not trust in your work of salvation, we doubt your character. By the power of your Spirit, help us to see that your goodness and loving kindness is fully present in Jesus, the one who saved us according to his rich mercy and made us co-heirs with him. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What connected with you from the sermon or the passage?
Which tactic of the evil one have you struggled with: I don’t need God’s salvation… Am I truly saved?… I will never have God’s salvation.
What has given you assurance of salvation in Jesus?
Salvation in Jesus depends on his character and not on how worthy we are. How is this reassuring? How might this be difficult to receive?
Christians are not only saved and rescued by Jesus, but they are co-heirs with him. What does this look like in day-to-day life?
What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?