Series: Spiritual Warfare
Sermon: Helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit
Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:17
Verse 17: And accept the helmet, that is the salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
I. Introductory information:
1. Just before the battle begins, the last defensive armor to be worn is the helmet and grabbing hold of the only offensive armor, the sword
2. With all parts of the body covered by the shield, head is the one that’s going to be sticking out
3. Of all the other protections already in place, helmet probably is the most important one
4. Because brain is the control center of a person, it needs to be protected for the entire body to function properly
II. Let’s talk about the main verb of verse 17
1. A good number of translations use the word “to take,” which appears to lose some subtle nuances that the author intended with the Greek word!
2. The Greek word used is dekomai
3. It means “to receive something offered or transmitted by another,” or “to welcome,” or “to take,”
a. Matt 10:40 He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me
b. Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, praying, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit
c. Phil 4:18 I have all things in full supply and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things sent from you, an odour of sweet savour, an acceptable sacrifice, agreeable to God
d. Matt 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet
4. The nuance of the word is that believers need to accept (or “gratefully accept” or “warmly accept”) the helmet and sword from God—“from God” is implied
5. The verb dekomai “to accept/receive” has two objects: the helmet and sword
III. The Helmet
1. The word “helmet” refers to head-covering, a protection to brain, which is the command center of the body
2. Apostle Paul explains the meaning of the metaphor “helmet” is “the salvation”
3. The expression “the helmet of the salvation” is translated as “the helmet, which is the salvation” (genitive of apposition)
IV. What did Paul mean by the word “the salvation”
1. First, in an objective sense
a. It’s a package and cannot be explained with one event or aspect
i. It refers to God’s transfer of a person/sinner from eternal condemnation to eternal life
ii. It refers to God releasing a person from helplessness due to sin to a complete deliverance unto righteousness
iii. It refers to a person/sinner escaping the future judgment
iv. It includes justification, sanctification, and glorification
v. It includes: relationship with God, redemption through the Son, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, life in God in this world, and eternal life after earthly life
vi. So, the word “salvation” includes all these aspects; it’s as a package
2. Second, in a subjective sense (verse 17)
a. Application of salvation in day-to-day help
i. To live with a conscious possession of it
ii. It protects a believer from the evil one’s accusations, guilt, doubts, etc.
iii. It builds confidence and security
iv. This covers the head, the command center of the body
3. So, “taking the helmet” does not mean “getting saved” but “knowing that a person is delivered from eternal condemnation to eternal life”
a. Appropriating that which a believer has received from God
b. That which God has given protects the believers
c. It’s almost warmly accepting the doctrine of eternal security
d. In the midst of the enemy’s relentless attack, believers’ holding on to the firmness and surety of salvation
4. “The helmet of salvation” refers to applying what God has given to believers and stay confident, and thereby protected
5. The armor “helmet of salvation” is believers warm acceptance and unwavering recognition of what God has given to them and what they possess
6. The enemy attacks the security of believers in God and God’s gracious relationship with believers
V. The verb “to accept” also applies to “the sword of the Spirit” (17b)
1. The “sword” here is a short sharp double edged weapon
a. Matt 26:47: And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great crowd with swords and sticks from the chief priests and elders of the people
b. Acts 12:2: and slew James, the brother of John, with the sword
c. Rev 6:4: And another, a red horse, went forth; and to him that sat upon it, to him it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another; and there was given to him a great sword
2. The “sword” is an offensive, lethal weapon
3. The expression “sword of the Spirit” in this verse refers to “the sword that is made effective by the Spirit”
4. The sword that made effective by the Spirit can inflict lethal blow to the enemy
5. The sword that is energized by the Spirit is “the word of God”
a. There are two terms for “word”: logos and rhema
b. Here “rhema” is used:
i. “that which is spoken by God”
ii. “a statement of God”
iii. All those God has spoken to the Ephesian believers
iv. Accept God’s statements about you (the statements that are made effective by the Spirit)
Take Away:
Develop clarity about what God has offered to you and what God has spoken about you