Untitled Sermon (2)

Armed for Battle 5: Salvation’s Helmet

Salvation’s Helmet

Concentrate on the first part of v. 17, this morning: “… and take the helmet of salvation ...”. We are studying the pieces that make up the armour of God - the equipment that God gives His children to make them able to stand firm in Christ, in the battles of life that come as a necessary consequence for being in a spiritual war. And, as we’ve already talked about in this series - if you do not see the Christian life in this world - your day to day life in Christ - - if you don’t see it as a WAR … then you are not seeing clearly. You are not living in reality.

Now, let’s start with historical context - In the pieces of armour that Paul is describing to us, he is thinking about the armour that a Roman soldier of his day would be wearing. That’s the picture. It’s very likely that, as he’s writing this letter - he’s looking straight into the eyes of a Roman soldier, right in front of him - he’s in prison. Guarded by soldiers.

A Roman soldier wouldn’t think of going into battle without a helmet. That’s not surprising. In our day - with so much concern over concussions in sport. I remember as a kid, at least half of the NHL players on tv - played with not helmet. Now they won’t let you. That’s smart - you’d have to be a fool to step on the ice with no helmet on.

The same goes for a football player - -

How much more important, still, is wearing a helmet, when you are in a battle against an enemy who doesn’t just want to beat you on a playing field - but who wants to KILL you?!

That’s what a soldier is up against. For a Roman soldier, he had to have his head protected from a number of things: the flaming darts or arrows, dipped in tar and flying at his face. He has to also protect his head from swords - or daggers - held in the hand of his enemy, held close to the body - and in close combat, could cause great damage and death. We will deal with that next time.

He also has to be protected from a different kind of sword in his day - it’s known as the ‘broad sword’. The broad sword was about 2-4 feet long … it had a massive handle - and you would hold that handle with both hands .... like a BASEBALL BAT.

That’s what a soldier is up against. For a Roman soldier, he had to have his head protected from a number of things: The fiery darts or arrows that we talked about last week;

The little sword – dagger – that we will discuss next time;

Read vv. 12-17

Now, this broad sword is not very maneuverable. It would be completely useless in a sword fight - - way too cumbersome. But, just like a baseball bat - - if you manage to connect with just ONE WHACK - can you imagine what kind of damage that could do? You would cause a world of hurt. You would take your enemy’s head off.

And also – the broad sword. The broad sword was about 2-4 feet long, with a massive handle that you would hold with both hands, like a baseball bat. The broad sword was not very maneuverable. It would be useless in a sword-fight. But if you connected with just ONE WHACK – you would cause a world of hurt. So a warrior would ride around on a horse, up above the foot soldiers below – and he would lift the sword over his head, bringing it down hard – and trying to create, among his enemies, some split-personalities.

Concentrate on the first part of v. 17, this morning: “… and take the helmet of salvation ...”. We are studying the pieces that make up the armour of God - the equipment that God gives His children the ability to stand firm in Christ, in the battles of life that come as a necessary consequence for being in a spiritual war. And, as we’ve already talked about in this series - if you do not see the Christian life in this world - your day to day life in Christ - - if you don’t see it as a WAR … then you are not seeing clearly. You are not living in reality.

So what a warrior would do - is that he would ride around on a horse - up above the foot soldiers down below .... and he would lift the broad sword over his head - - and when he found an opening … he would lift the sword over his head, bringing it down hard .... and trying to create, among his enemies … some SPLIT personalities.

A soldier needed a helmet to deflect the blow from that kind of a weapon. Roman helmets were often made of leather, with bits of metal embedded in them to protect. Other times, they were made of formed, shaped bronze - with a plume sticking up at the top

Now, let’s start with historical context - In the pieces of armour that Paul is describing to us, he is thinking about the armour that a Roman soldier of his day would be wearing. That’s the picture. It’s very likely that, as he’s writing this letter - he’s looking straight into the eyes of a Roman soldier, right in front of him - he’s in prison. Guarded by soldiers.

But again, this has to be practical - relevant to your daily life. So how? “… take the helmet of salvation”, Paul says. So what does that mean?! What does this helmet have to do with salvation?

A Roman soldier wouldn’t think of going into battle without a helmet. That’s not surprising. In our day - with so much concern over concussions in sport. I remember as a kid, at least half of the NHL players on tv - played with not helmet. Now they won’t let you. That’s smart - you’d have to be a fool to step on the ice with no helmet on.

Some people say: “Well, it’s called the helmet OF SALVATION - so Paul must mean ‘salvation’ here. In other words, he means - ‘BE SAVED’ - ‘receive God’s saving grace - by putting your complete trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ - believe that He died and rose for you and that He has done everything needed for you to be saved’. ‘Get saved and ipso facto - you have the helmet of salvation on your head.’ That’s what the helmet of salvation is all about.”

But it can’t be. It is essential that you do just that - that you put your trust in Jesus Christ’s finished work - By grace, you are saved through FAITH. That’s what the Bible says. There is no other way to be saved.

But the helmet of salvation HERE - CAN’T mean that.

Paul is telling us, “Take up this helmet and put it one.” He’s saying that TO Christians. This armour is FOR Christians. He’s not going to tell us to put on something that we already have on our heads.

When we are trying to understand God’s Word, we need to let Scripture interpret Scripture. It’s when we take a verse of the Bible here - isolate it from the rest of the Bible, and pour our understanding into it - that’s when we end up in error and heresy. That’s where cults begin. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.

What does this helmet of salvation mean, if it doesn’t mean being saved? Well, Paul writes about helmets and salvation in one other place. ,

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love AND, for a helmet, the HOPE OF SALVATION.”

When we are trying to understand God’s Word, we need to let Scripture interpret Scripture. Otherwise we end up in error and heresies - - And it is the failure to do that that gives the cults their start.

The same goes for a football player - -

Paul writes about puts helmet and salvation together in one other place – , “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love AND, for a helmet, the HOPE OF SALVATION.”

How much more important, still, is wearing a helmet, when you are in a battle against an enemy who doesn’t just want to beat you on a playing field - but who wants to KILL you?!

“… AND, for a helmet … the HOPE of Salvation.” So, what is this piece of armour all about?

The protection this helmet offers is the HOPE of salvation. Now, that answer actually brings another question - “If this helmet’s protection is the HOPE of salvation … then what in the world does HOPE mean here?”

We need to deal with that - because we throw the word hope around in our day, in a way that means something much differently than what Paul means when he uses it.

“HOPE” here does NOT mean what we so often mean when we use it.

Can the Toronto Raptors repeat as NBA Champions? “I HOPE so.” Doubtful, but possible.

Can the Vancouver Canucks make the playoffs this season? “Well, let’s not get carried away … but we can still hope against hope.” When we talk about hope - we are pointing to circumstances that are completely out of our control … things that are pretty unlikely … but still possible.

“HOPE” in the New Testament means almost exactly the opposite of that kind of wishful thinking.

The protection which this helmet offers is the HOPE of salvation. Now before we go any further, one possible misunderstanding needs to be cleared away so that you can understand what the “hope” of salvation DOES mean. “HOPE” hear does NOT mean what people usually mean when they say ‘hope’ today:

That’s what a soldier is up against. For a Roman soldier, he had to have his head protected from a number of things: the flaming darts or arrows, dipped in tar and flying at his face. He has to also protect his head from swords - or daggers - held in the hand of his enemy, held close to the body - and in close combat, could cause great damage and death. We will deal with that next time.

Can the BC Lions repeat as Grey Cup Champions? “I hope so”

He also has to be protected from a different kind of sword in his day - it’s known as the ‘broad sword’. The broad sword was about 2-4 feet long … it had a massive handle - and you would hold that handle with both hands .... like a BASEBALL BAT.

“Hope” in the Bible means almost the exact opposite of that kind of wishful thinking. The Greek word used for ‘hope’ in our New Testament, points to a STRONG, UNSHAKEABLE CONFIDENCE.

Can the Vancouver Canucks have a winning season? “Well, we can Hope against hope”

Now, this broad sword is not very maneuverable. It would be completely useless in a sword fight - - way too cumbersome. But, just like a baseball bat - - if you manage to connect with just ONE WHACK - can you imagine what kind of damage that could do? You would cause a world of hurt. You would take your enemy’s head off.

Let’s look at a few verses where the word is used, so you can see for yourself:

“Hope” in the Bible means almost the exact opposite of that kind of wishful thinking. The Greek word for hope is used in our New Testament for a strong, unshakeable confidence. Let’s look at a few verses where the word is used, so you can see for yourself:

So what a warrior would do - is that he would ride around on a horse - up above the foot soldiers down below .... and he would lift the broad sword over his head - - and when he found an opening … he would lift the sword over his head, bringing it down hard .... and trying to create, among his enemies … some SPLIT personalities.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (, NIV)

A soldier needed a helmet to deflect the blow from that kind of a weapon. Roman helmets. PICTURE Soldier’s helmets were made of formed, shaped bronze often had leather strips, with bits of metal embedded in them to protect the throat. Some of them were actually really nicely decorative - with a plume sticking up at the top.

The God of hope. In no possible way, does this mean that God wishes for certain things to happen - things that are possible, but not for sure. God does NOT WISH for anytying that He will not do. And that means, for us, Christian brothers and sisters - that HOPE is NOT wishful thinking - - -

But again, this has to be practical - relevant to your daily life. So how? “… take the helmet of salvation”, Paul says. So what does that mean?! What does this helmet have to do with salvation?

… it is an unconditional certainty that fills the hopeful person with settled peace and confidence … because it DOESN’T depend on circumstances falling into place. Hope does NOT rest on my strength … or MY discipline … or MY ABILITY … Hope is a firm focus on the God who works every event, every movement of every atom in the entire universe … works it out for His good purposes.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (). Again - see the confident assurance in the God who has saved us in the past – who is saving us in the present – that He will save us in the future. You can have confidence in that. Take it to the bank.

1 A HELMET OF SALVATION?

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for (wait for what?) the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (, NIV)

Some people say: “Well, it’s called the helmet OF SALVATION - so Paul must mean ‘salvation’ here. In other words, he means - ‘BE SAVED’ - ‘receive God’s saving grace - by putting your complete trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ - believe that He died and rose for you and that He has done everything needed for you to be saved’. ‘Get saved and ipso facto - you have the helmet of salvation on your head.’ That’s what the helmet of salvation is all about.”

Hope is confident, because it is put in Jesus Christ - not ourselves or uncertainties of this world.

William Gurnall: “Hope is . . . the supernatural grace of God, whereby the believer, through Christ, expects and waits for all those good things of the promise, which at present, he has not received, or not fully.”

But it can’t be. It is essential that you do just that - that you put your trust in Jesus Christ’s finished work - By grace, you are saved through FAITH. That’s what the Bible says. There is no other way to be saved.

That’s HOPE - a supernatural grace of God .... that gives us the power, the strength and the courage - to wait for the good things that He has promised. .... to wait for Him to keep His promises … and right now, to rest.

Okay, so that’s enough of the explanation - the theory … now let’s bring it home to us. Do you see how this HOPE of SALVATION is so utterly crucial for us to have as a helmet - today?

Can you see how that certainty about the future - the blessed hope - is an armor you need today?

But the helmet of salvation HERE - CAN’T mean that.

In a physical battle, a helmet does more than protect a soldier’s skull from being cracked open – as crucial as that protection is. The helmet does something else very practical: it gives a soldier confidence. You know that. You put on your bike helmet - - you put on your hockey or your football helmet - and you gain confidence - you play completely differently. I wouldn’t dream of stepping onto the ice to play hockey, without a helmet on. Wouldn’t trust myself - I know how clumsy I am.

Paul is telling us, “Take up this helmet and put it one.” He’s saying that TO Christians. This armour is FOR Christians. He’s not going to tell us to put on something that we already have on our heads.

Put on the helmet …

That’s what the helmet of salvation does for the Christian. You know your head is protected … it gives the Christian soldier the confidence you need to stand tall.

His head is protected. The helmet gives a Christian soldier the confidence to stand tall.

I am not surprised that God leaves the helmet until almost last in his list of armor. The head is the place of thinking and understanding. It is the seat of the intellect. Now we’ve already looked at the importance of understanding specific doctrines – doctrines like righteousness imputed – credited to our account. That is a great protection against the devil’s temptation to doubt God’s forgiveness from this sin or that sin.

When we are trying to understand God’s Word, we need to let Scripture interpret Scripture. It’s when we take a verse of the Bible here - isolate it from the rest of the Bible, and pour our understanding into it - that’s when we end up in error and heresy. That’s where cults begin. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.

You know, I’m not surprised that God leaves the helmet until almost the last place in His list of armour. After all, it’s protection for your head. What does your head symbolize for you? Your head is the place where your brain is - - - its the place where thinking and understanding take place. It’s the seat of the intellect.

We’ve already looked at the importance of understanding specific doctrines – doctrines like righteousness imputed – credited to our account. That is a great protection against the devil’s temptation to doubt God’s forgiveness from this sin or that sin.

am not surprised that God leaves the helmet until almost last in his list of armor. The head is the place of thinking and understanding. It is the seat of the intellect. Now we’ve already looked at the importance of understanding specific doctrines – doctrines like righteousness imputed – credited to our account. That is a great protection against the devil’s temptation to doubt God’s forgiveness from this sin or that sin.

This helmet is a piece of armour that protects you from the overall attack of the enemy on your mind … against the attack that he brings - tempting you to grow weary and feel as though the whole thing is for nothing.

What does this helmet of salvation mean, if it doesn’t mean being saved? Well, Paul writes about helmets and salvation in one other place.

It is the temptation to let the devil’s flaming arrows pierce your skull and attack your mind –

, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love AND, for a helmet, the HOPE OF SALVATION.”

_______________

you look around and see the sorry state of the church – seems to count for so little in our society today. In two separate visits I had with people this week, the subject of our society came up – and the idea of raising children in this time, in this country, where up is down and down is up. It isn’t just that people are doing wrong, against their better judgment – it is that they have turned the definitions upside down - -

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“… AND, for a helmet … the HOPE of Salvation.” So, what is this piece of armour all about?

Are you weary, this morning? If you are - If you’re struggling – you are in good company:

In , the psalmist, who’s trying to live for God in his day, finds trouble after trouble. , “As for me, my feet had almost slipped.” He looks around and sees that the wicked aren’t suffering .... far from it … they’re living in luxury. Verse 4, “… they have no struggles, their bodies are healthy and strong” .... v. 12, “…

In , the psalmist, trying to live for God, finds trouble after trouble – v. 2, “As for me, my feet had almost stumbled (I had almost slipped)” He looks around and sees the wicked living in luxury – v. 3, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

The protection this helmet offers is the HOPE of salvation. Now, that answer actually brings another question - “If this helmet’s protection is the HOPE of salvation … then what in the world does HOPE mean here?”

Verse 4, “they have no pangs until death (no struggles), their bodies are fat and sleek (that is, healthy and strong). They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.” . . . v. 12, “Behold, THESE are the wicked ... always at ease (carefree), they increase in riches.”

So the psalmist looks around and is tempted to throw up his hands and throw in the towel. Verse 13, “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.”

We need to deal with that - because we throw the word hope around in our day, in a way that means something much differently than what Paul means when he uses it.

He doesn’t stay there. Thankfully he doesn’t stay there. Oh, but the temptation is there – and it is strong.

You’ve been there. Put on the helmet of salvation! The psalmist does - Verse 24, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. (25) Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”

“HOPE” here does NOT mean what we so often mean when we use it.

Verse 26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (27) For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. (28) But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the LORD God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”

In , Paul puts it this way – “let us not become weary in doing good . . . for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The helmet of salvation is confidence in a full, final, total salvation to come. It's confidence that some day the battle will be over. I couldn't fight if I didn't think there was a finish somewhere, could you?

Can the Toronto Raptors repeat as NBA Champions? “I HOPE so.” Doubtful, but possible.

You know what Satan wants to do? He wants to smash your head with discouragement and doubt, wants to get you discouraged .... “Oh man - you sure are giving a lot and not getting much in return!” “Look at you - living the Christian life, setting yourself apart from the world, walking in integrity, even when it seems that you’re walking all alone … you’re trying to be salt and light in this world .... and what fruit do you see?”

You just lost your job. Great blessing, isn’t it? You’re trying to steer your family right … been reading your Bible every day … and praying … oh, it’s a struggle, but you’re pushing through the struggle .... praying for your kids … praying for the salvation of your loved ones and friends

.... and they are just as lost as they ever were. And in fact, they seem to be falling MORE in love with the world, not less. And you get discouraged.

You’ve been teaching a S.S. class so long and you wonder - “is any growth happening? Is anyone getting saved?!” .... and you get discouraged .... real discouraged.

And to make it worse - you have big-haired, toothy-grinned hucksters, flashing their pearly-whites … and promising that God wants you successful, happy and financially prosperous now!

And you think, “What’s wrong with me?!!!”

“… and take the helmet of salvation.” “SO HOW DO I DO THAT?”, you ask.

You need to learn, what Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls, ‘the TENSES OF SALVATION.’

The TENSES of SALVATION. What does that mean?

It means you need to recognize your salvation in the past - that you HAVE BEEN SAVED. That one-time event, when God gave you faith to believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ - and you were transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son. You were saved then. And at that very moment - you were as loved and accepted by God as you ever will be. His love for you is perfect - doesn’t change. You ARE saved.

But there is also a PRESENT TENSE - says that you are BEING saved. ‘Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure’. God, in His infinite wisdom says, “I am not going to save you from sin and immediately yank you up into heaven - instantly free from every danger and suffering. NO - I’m going to work on you - refine you - shape you more and more into the image of Jesus Christ … I’ve got big plans for you. Like a chunk of gold, I’m going to purify you - so that you brilliantly shine. And I’m going to do that - RIGHT in the middle of a world that’s in rebellion against me and full of sin. And He does that because that’s the way for Him to get the greatest glory and for us to have the greatest, ultimate joy. You are being saved - right now.

That’s the present tense of salvation. But there’s also a FUTURE tense. You have been saved .... you are being saved .... and when you get discouraged, putting on the helmet of salvation means also looking into the FUTURE TENSE - and see that you WILL BE SAVED … completely. You will be saved from the very PRESENCE OF SIN - and all of the pain that it brings into your life. CAN YOU IMAGINE a life where there is not a trace, not a whiff of sin?

We sang a famous old hymn, just before the message: “Rock of Ages”. “Rock of Ages, cleft for me - let my hide myself in Thee.” I love that old hymn. It was written by Augustus Toplady. Legend has it that he was out on a journey, when the skies busted open and he was caught in a torrential storm, with no shelter …

Then he says to his disciples - and consequently, to all of us who belong to Him .... , “… when you

And then to make it worse – you have big-haired, toothy-grinned hucksters, flashing their pearly whites and promising that God wants you successful, happy and prosperous now! You think – what’s wrong with me?!

Can the Vancouver Canucks make the playoffs this season? “Well, let’s not get carried away … but we can still hope against hope.” When we talk about hope - we are pointing to circumstances that are completely out of our control … things that are pretty unlikely … but still possible.

You just lost your job. Great blessing, huh? You've been reading your Bible every day and your husband is as cranky as she was before you even bought a Bible, hasn't had a major affect on her whatever. What's God doing in your life? You've been going to church for so many years, look at your kids, they don't respect you now anymore than they ever did. And you begin to get discouraged. I've been teaching a Sunday School class so long and I wonder whether anybody gets anything out of it, you say. And you get real discouraged, that's one of the things.

“HOPE” in the New Testament means almost exactly the opposite of that kind of wishful thinking.

And then to make it worse – you have big-haired, toothy-grinned hucksters, flashing their pearly whites and promising that God wants you successful, happy and prosperous now! You think – what’s wrong with me?!

“Hope” in the Bible means almost the exact opposite of that kind of wishful thinking. The Greek word used for ‘hope’ in our New Testament, points to a STRONG, UNSHAKEABLE CONFIDENCE.

Put on the helmet of salvation as a protection.

Let’s look at a few verses where the word is used, so you can see for yourself:

How do I do that? You ask. You need to learn, what Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls, “the tenses of salvation”:

-"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (, NIV)

You need to recognize that you HAVE BEEN SAVED – in the past – that one-time event when God gave you faith to believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ, and you were transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son.

The God of hope. In no possible way, does this mean that God wishes for certain things to happen - things that are possible, but not for sure. God does NOT WISH for anything that He will not do. And that means, for us, Christian brothers and sisters - that HOPE is NOT wishful thinking - - -

You need to recognize that you ARE BEING SAVED – right now. God, in His infinite wisdom says – “I am not going to save you from sin – and immediately yank you up into heaven – safe from danger and suffering. No – I’m going to work on you – refine you – make you more and more like Jesus Christ – and like a piece of gold – purify you. And I’m going to do it right in the middle of a world that is in rebellion against me and full of sin. You are, right now, being saved from the power of sin -

… it is an unconditional certainty that fills the hopeful person with settled peace and confidence … because it DOESN’T depend on circumstances falling into place. Hope does NOT rest on my strength … or MY discipline … or MY ABILITY … Hope is a firm focus on the God who works every event, every movement of every atom in the entire universe … works it out for His good purposes.

You have been saved, you are being saved . . . and when you get discouraged, putting on the helmet of salvation means looking into the future to see that YOU WILL BE SAVED – COMPLETELY. Not just from the penalty of sin, not just from the power of sin … and you will be saved, in the future, from the very PRESENCE of sin.

- “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (). Again - see the confident assurance in the God who has saved us in the past – who is saving us in the present – that He will save us in the future. You can have confidence in that. Take it to the bank.

We sang a famous old hymn, just before the message: “Rock of Ages”. “Rock of Ages, cleft for me - let my hide myself in Thee.” I love that old hymn. It was written by Augustus Toplady. Legend has it that he was out on a journey, when the skies busted open and he was caught in a torrential storm, with no shelter …

“Be of sin the DOUBLE cure.” What in the world does that mean?! “A DOUBLE cure from sin?” How many cures do you need? If you have a fatal disease and you find a cure - aren’t you cured? Period?

The hymn-writer is pointing to the ‘tenses of salvation’ here. “I need your cure from the sin’s penalty - can’t stand before a Holy God on judgment day, in my own goodness. And I need your cure from sin’s very presence in my life - - it’s too much for me in my own strength.”

The hymn-writer is pointing to the ‘tenses of salvation’ here. “I need your cure from the sin’s penalty - can’t stand before a Holy God on judgment day, in my own goodness. And I need your cure from sin’s very presence in my life - - it’s too much for me in my own strength.” And that’s the promise of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

I love the way Jesus speaks in about the days before he comes again –and how there will be distress of nations and people fainting with fear and foreboding about what is coming on the world – and how the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then he says to his disciples – and consequently to all who belong to him, “when these things BEGIN to take place (Luke 21:28), straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for (wait for what?) the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (, NIV)

In other words, when all hell seems to be breaking loose and everyone around you is ducking for cover and cowering in fear . . . don’t bow down and shake like a leaf with everyone else. NO - STAND UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS!

Hope is confident, because it is placed in Jesus Christ - not myself; not in the government or uncertainties of this world.

There is no greater example than our Savior – all hell literally was let loose on him – people around him, hating him ... the devil tempting him … knowing that to follow the Father’s plan to completion - saving us - meant being separated from the Father that He had been in constant communion with from all of eternity.

William Gurnall: “Hope is . . . the supernatural grace of God, whereby the believer, through Christ, expects and waits for all those good things of the promise, which at present, he has not received, or not fully.”

“Be of sin the DOUBLE cure.” What in the world does that mean?! “A DOUBLE cure from sin?” How many cures do you need? If you have a fatal disease and you find a cure - aren’t you cured? Period?

There is no greater example than our Savior – all hell literally was let loose on him – people hating him, the devil tempting him – knowing that to follow the Father’s plan to completion meant being separated from the Father He had been in constant communion with from eternity - - But he set his face to the cross and marched unflinchingly to sacrifice himself there – for the Father’s glory. How could he do that? : “For the joy set before Him – he endured the cross, despising its shame”

Yet, he set his face like flint and marched unflinchingly to sacrifice himself there - for the Father’s glory. How could he do that? tells us: “For the JOY SET BEFORE HIM - he endured the cross - despising its shame.”

The Puritans, who I have often told you about – my heroes – they knew all about the helmet of salvation – they wore it. The Puritans were a group of English pastors who had been tirelessly committed to fully reforming the Christian church in England in the 16th and 17th Centuries. They wanted to see their fellow citizens, truly and fully converted to Jesus Christ, with the Bible at the center and the glory of God in every aspect of life – as the goa.

That’s HOPE - a supernatural grace of God .... that gives us the power, the strength and the courage - to wait for the good things that He has promised. .... to wait for Him to keep His promises … and right now, to rest.

Lesson for us -

Close with an example of some people who knew what it was to put on the helmet of salvation.

The Puritans, whom I have told you about many times - my heroes. Unfortunately have received a lot of bad press - unfair press, so that you may not know much about them but hear that name and have negative associations/ images come to mind.

The Puritans were a group of English pastors, from the 16th to the 17th centuries, many of whom came from the highest centers of learning - Cambridge and Oxford, and who were dedicated to fully reforming the Christian Church in England in their day. England had been through the Reformation in the 1500’s, but there were so many corners of the Church in their land, where there was no real reformation. There was no true godliness - - no hunger and thirst for God - - - no true delight in Jesus Christ.

The Puritans were not the dour, miserable people of the Scarlett Letter. They were all about finding joy. And they were tirelessly committed to bringing joy to England by preaching and teaching and leading so that their fellow citizens would be truly and fully converted to Christ. For that to happen - they saw that the Bible needed to be at the center and God’s glory in every area of life needed to be the goal.

These Puritan christians were almost always on the outside of power and influence, with the authorities - from Queen Elizabeth to King James to King Charles 1 - tolerating them, at best - - but often actively trying to silence them. They lost every political fight they ever engaged in. The only influence they ever really had, came from their God-centered, passionate preaching of the Bible - and their zealous concern for the souls of the people under their watch and in their nation. If they would have had 25 years longer - they would have converted all of England to Christ-centered Christianity.

In 1662, a law was passed - demanding that the pastors eeither agree to terms of the king, or they would not be allowed to hold their pastoral positions any longer. The king’s terms were directly opposed to the convictions of these Puritans - to go along with them would be to sacrifice their principles. What would you do? Would you go along, to get along? Sign on the dotted line because, you have a family to feed? Because if you aren’t there any more - who will take care of your flock?

In that year alone - approximately TWO THOUSAND Puritan pastors were kicked out of their pulpits by the government. They would not cave. It was called ‘The Great Ejection’.

They lost their jobs - they were no longer permitted to preach to a gathering of any more than FOUR people, IN THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES. Many of the pastors lost their homes and ended up in complete poverty.

Three years later, in 1665, the Black Plague hit London, carried on the backs of rats. During the devastation of that time - Every single week there were THOUSANDS of people dying. London was a big city - Grass was growing in the streets, people - walking through the streets, going about their business - would drop dead, on the spot.

Every night, a bellman went through the streets, with a cart, ringing his bell and calling out, “Bring out your dead!”. The plague continued for nearly 3/4 of a year, until over 100 THOUSAND people - 1/5 of the city’s total population, had been killed.

Do you know that during the plague - most of the pastors who were on the government’s good side … the ones who had been placed in the pulpits left by the pastors who had been kicked out … most of those pastors - - deserted their parishes. They ran for their lives. “Hey, I can better serve my congregation … from far, far away. Where it’s safe.”

And the Puritans, who had been kicked out. What did they do? Gloat? “That’s what you get, king!” “That’s the judgment of God on you for the way you treated His faithful ones.”

No. None of that. Many of these Puritan ministers saw the need - - - and even though they knew that they were not only risking more trouble with the authorities for breaking the king’s laws .... but more importantly - they knew they were risking their very lives ....

… and still, they ran … not AWAY, but into the center of the eye of the storm. They came in from the shadows into which they had been exiled … and went to where the plague was thickest. The people of London were terrified by what was going on in their city - so these pastors went to preach to them - to comfort them .... to hold the hands of grieving family members who were losing their loved ones by the hour. And they went to bury the dead with honor.

And the King of England came to his senses, realized what a fool he had been - - he thanked these sacrificially loving pastors and welcomed them back to their pulpits.

That’s what you would think, isn’t it? But that’s not what happened. The king didn’t apologize. No - he asked, ‘How did these Puritans get away with this?!’ And he made things worse for them. Now, no longer was it enough to forbid these godly preachers from preaching - - - now the king forced them away from home. They were now forbidden to come any close than FIVE MILES of any town or village where they had ever served as pastor.

They not only had to leave their churches - they had to leave their hometowns. Many of them ended up so deep in poverty - that some went to prison - BY CHOICE - because at least there they would get a stale, dry, chunk of bread to eat.

And if I was there, my natural response would be: “What is wrong with this twisted country?!! GOD - ARE YOU ASLEEP?!! … ARE YOU EVEN THERE?!!!!” “Up is down and down is up!!”

Not the Puritans.

One year later, tragedy hit London again (you would almost think that God was trying to get the king’s attention). The city of London caught fire and burned for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT. Over 13 thousand homes were destroyed. 80 Churches went up in flames.

And, once again - the settled pastors, on the government’s good side - looked around .... saw their churches burnt - houses gone … and once again - - most of them left town for greener pastures.

The Puritans came back again - this time from the countryside where they had been exiled to - - - they came back to London - to the center of the devastation - - - and threw up shack buildings of wood, so that again, they could preach and comfort and feed the spiritually starving and scared.

What would possess a normal human being to endure such abuse, such injustice, such disrespect … and keep on rolling up sleeves to get dirty in sacrificial ministry?

It’s the HELMET OF SALVATION, friends. The Puritans knew what it means to put on the helmet of salvation - and confidently hope in the God who had already saved them, was in the process of saving them .... and has guaranteed to save them when Christ returns.

Do you see what a difference that makes in this messy world with its flaming arrows coming at your head.

The Puritans, who I have often told you about – my heroes – they knew all about the helmet of salvation – they wore it. The Puritans were a group of English pastors who had been tirelessly committed to fully reforming the Christian church in England in the 16th and 17th Centuries. They wanted to see their fellow citizens, truly and fully converted to Jesus Christ, with the Bible at the center and the glory of God in every aspect of life – as the goa.

The Puritans were almost always on the outside of power and influence, with the authorities – from Queen Elizabeth to King James to King Charles 1, tolerating them at best and actively trying to silence them at worst. They lost every political fight they ever engaged in. The only influence they had came from their God-centered, passionate preaching of the Word of God, and their zealous concern for the souls of the people in their nation.

2 WHY WE NEED THIS HELMET

In 1662, a law was passed demanding that the pastors either agree to terms of the king that would compromise their principles – completely contradict their desire for the reform of the church – or, if they could not agree to the terms, they were no longer permitted to hold their pastoral positions. And in that year, approximately 2,000 Puritan pastors were ejected from their pulpits – they could not, in good conscience agree to the terms.

Okay, so that’s enough of the explanation - the theory … now let’s bring it home to us. Do you see how this HOPE of SALVATION – that certainty about the future - is so utterly crucial for us to have as a helmet - today?

They lost their jobs – They were no longer permitted to preach to a gathering of any more than 4 people of their immediate family. Many of them lost their homes, ended up in poverty.

In a physical battle, a helmet does more than protect a soldier’s skull from being cracked open – as crucial as that protection is. The helmet does something else very practical: it gives a soldier confidence. You know that. You put on your bike helmet - - you put on your hockey or your football helmet - and you gain confidence - you play completely differently. I wouldn’t dream of stepping onto the ice to play hockey, without a helmet on. Wouldn’t trust myself - I know how clumsy I am.

Three years after the Great Ejection - In 1665 – the Black Plague hit London, carried on the backs of rats. Every single week, thousands were dying. Grass was growing in the streets, people walking through the streets, about their business, would drop dead, on the spot. Every night, a bellman went through the streets with a cart, calling, “Bring out your dead.” The plague continued for nearly ¾ of a year, until over 100,000 people – 1/5 of the population had been killed.

Put on the helmet … That’s what the helmet of salvation does for the Christian. You know your head is protected … it gives the Christian soldier the confidence you need to stand tall.

During the plague – most of the pastors who had been acceptable to the government, they deserted their parishes – they ran for their lives – decided they could better minister to their congregations from far, far away.

You know, I’m not surprised that God leaves the helmet until almost the last place in His list of armour. After all, it’s protection for your head. What does your head symbolize for you? Your head is the place where your brain is - - - its the place where thinking and understanding take place. It’s the seat of the intellect.

The Puritans, who ad been kicked out? Many of them saw the need, and even though they knew they were not only risking more trouble with the authorities, but also were risking their very lives – still they ran, not away, but into the center of the eye of the storm. They went to where the plague was to preach to the terrified people, to bury the dead, to hold the hands of and pray with the grieving who were losing loved ones by the hour.

We’ve already looked at the importance of understanding specific doctrines – doctrines like righteousness imputed – credited to our account. That is a great protection against the devil’s temptation to doubt God’s forgiveness from this sin or that sin.

Do you know how the Prime Minister of England said thanks for the sacrificial service? He didn’t come to his senses and apologize. No, he asked, “How did these Puritans get away with this?” And the government made things worse for them. Now, no longer was it enough to forbid these godly preachers from preaching – now they were forced away from home. They were now forbidden to come any closer than 5 miles of any town or village where they had ever served as pastor. They had to leave home. Many of them ended up in such poverty, that some of them chose to go to prison – because at least there they knew they would get a stale, dry chunk of bread to eat.

This helmet is a piece of armour that protects you from the overall attack of the enemy on your mind … against the attack that he brings - tempting you to grow weary and feel as though the whole thing is for nothing.

And if you or I were there, our response would very likely be:

It is the temptation to let the devil’s flaming arrows pierce your skull and attack your mind –

“What is wrong with this twisted country? God – are you asleep?! Are you even there?!”

…. you look around and see the sorry state of the church – seems to count for so little in our society today. I talk to so many people, these days, about our society – and the idea of raising children in this time, in this country, where up is down and down is up. It isn’t just that people are doing wrong, against their better judgment – it is that they have turned the definitions upside down - -

Up is down and down is up!!

….. Are you weary, this morning? If you are - If you’re struggling – you are in good company: Turn to

Not the Puritans.

In , the psalmist, trying to live for God, finds trouble after trouble – v. 2, “As for me, my feet had almost stumbled (I had almost slipped)” He looks around and sees the wicked living in luxury – v. 3, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

One year later tragedy hit London again (you would almost think God was trying to get the king’s attention). The city of London caught fire and burned for 3 days. Over 13,000 homes were destroyed – 89 churches went up in flames. And again, the settled pastors, on the good side of the government, looked around and saw their churches burnt – houses gone - and most again left town for greener pastures.

Verse 4, “they have no pangs until death (no struggles), their bodies are fat and sleek (that is, healthy and strong). They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.” . . . v. 12, “Behold, THESE are the wicked ... always at ease (carefree), they increase in riches.”

The Puritans came back into the city again – they threw up shack buildings of wood – so again the spiritually starving could be fed.

So the psalmist looks around and is tempted to throw up his hands and throw in the towel. Verse 13, “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.”

What would possess a normal human being to endure such abuse, such injustice, such disrespect, and keep on rolling up sleeves to get dirty in sacrificial service? It is the helmet of salvation friends. The Puritans knew what it means to put on the helmet of salvation – and confidently hope in the God who had already saved them, was in the process of saving them – and had promised to save them when Christ returns.