The Pieces Of The Armor Of God: The Skull-Covering

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, June 06, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 
THE PIECES OF THE ARMOR OF GOD:
THE SKULL-COVERING (THE HELMET OF SALVATION)
By Michael D. O’Neal                         Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                         Albany, Georgia

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Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Text: Ephesians 6:17

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Introduction: The devil must be mad. I’ve been preaching all year about spiritual warfare and he doesn’t appreciate it one bit. I’ve never seen him attack our people so viciously as he is doing right now. It seems that every week I hear of a family that is under an assault by him.

Just a word to husbands and fathers, if there is ever a time for you to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, it’s NOW. The devil will attack you through your weakest link, which is often your wives and children. Pray, stay your ground, and lead the way for them to follow!

The good news is that you don’t have to LOSE to the devil! The Bible says:

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The devil has many Christians on the run. Rather than face him, they run. Let me encourage you today to put HIM on the run!

You are no match for the devil by yourself, but God has provided armor for you. The armor is spiritual because our adversaries are spiritual. However, God compares our armor to normal pieces that a soldier would wear. This morning I want us to consider

THE PIECES OF THE ARMOR OF GOD THE SKULL-COVERING (THE HELMET OF SALVATION)

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

I’ve chosen this piece of armor to emphasize this morning, before the rest, because of the importance of the HEAD. The head is a choice target in battle. A severed head of an enemy was a prize. The devil has as a choice target, I believe, the head of a family or the head of a local church.

I. YOU SHOULD REJOICE IN THE HELMET OF SALVATION

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

A. Rejoice that it is GENUINE
     1. Not plastic
     2. Not paper

B. Rejoice that it is GIVEN

C. Rejoice that it is GUARANTEED
     1. A WRITTEN guarantee!
     2. 1 John 5:13 “written”
     3. John 3:36

II. YOU SHOULD RELY UPON THE HELMET OF SALVATION

Judges 9:53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.

His helmet was unable to withstand the blow.

A. Rely on the PROVIDER of it
     1. The helmet is as good as it’s Maker!

B. Rely on the PROMISE of it

C. Rely on the PERMANENCE of it
     1. The devil can’t take that from you!
     2. Salvation is ETERNAL life! (Romans 6:23)

III. YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THE HELMET OF SALVATION

2 Peter 1:5-9 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Remembering your relationship with Jesus Christ, that you’re saved, that you’re His, that you’re heaven-bound, that your name is written in heaven, that you have eternal life, will help you overcome the devil when he attacks.

A. Remember it in the closet (privacy)

B. Remember it in the crowd
     1. When you’re among the lost; don’t conform be transformed!
     2. When you travel (don’t leave home without it!)

C. Remember it in the conflict(when the battle comes)

IV. YOU SHOULD RESPECT THE HELMET OF SALVATION

Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

A. Speak highly of it

B. Show it to others
     1. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

C. Shine it up
     1. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

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