WEBVTT 00:00:00.780 --> 00:00:04.780 Ephesians chapter 6, when I was growing up, we didn't wear 00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:05.719 bicycle helmets. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:10.700 We built bridges over ditches and tried to get hurt. 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:16.300 If someone wore a helmet, he would have been made fun of, sent 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:16.620 home. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:20.740 Now if a child doesn't wear a helmet, you're a neglectful 00:00:20.740 --> 00:00:22.719 parent and somebody's going to post it on Facebook. 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:29.440 When I played football, the effort was to hit a man square 00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:32.539 with the top of your helmet right in the center. 00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:37.679 When he was not looking, call a crack back and try your best to 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:38.359 knock him out. 00:00:39.760 --> 00:00:43.500 Today, if you do that, you will not play anymore. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:44.140 You're done. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:51.260 If somebody got their bell rung, which we now understand and 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:54.299 properly acknowledge is a concussion, a bruise to the 00:00:54.299 --> 00:00:58.620 brain, smelling sauce and a couple plays later, you're back in. 00:00:58.619 --> 00:01:01.299 I had a quarterback one time that went to the wrong sideline. 00:01:01.379 --> 00:01:03.479 They turned him around, brought him back to the huddle. 00:01:03.780 --> 00:01:04.480 We kept going. 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:08.599 I'm not celebrating that kind of ignorance. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:11.579 I can't remember old what's-his-face's name. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:16.239 And it's probably because I got cracked back one time and missed 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:19.159 half a game taking a knee and I don't remember any of it. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:23.099 So we know more now than we used to. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:29.000 To ride a bike without a helmet, man, I'd feel like I was sawing a 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:31.140 tree branch that a ladder was leaning on. 00:01:32.299 --> 00:01:37.179 Sunday afternoon, I played backyard ball with a bunch of ex-high 00:01:37.179 --> 00:01:39.579 school football players on local schoolyards. 00:01:40.039 --> 00:01:41.939 It's kind of horrifying to me. 00:01:42.039 --> 00:01:46.299 I remember one time I drove up to Montevue Middle School and they 00:01:46.299 --> 00:01:47.560 were playing out on the wreck. 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:51.359 And those boys, I don't think were sober. 00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:55.460 And they didn't have shoes on and they didn't have shirts on. 00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:58.680 And I thought, this may not be the game I want to pick up on, you know. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:07.560 Today, guardian caps are popular in college practices. 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:12.939 They're gaining ground in high schools for players in high-impact 00:02:12.939 --> 00:02:13.560 positions. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:17.060 Some can even wear them during ball games. 00:02:17.699 --> 00:02:21.060 And that trend started, ironically, at Clemson 12 years ago. 00:02:22.060 --> 00:02:24.379 Protecting the head is important. 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:29.520 And we've understood over the years how much more so that it is than we 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:30.280 thought before. 00:02:31.140 --> 00:02:37.900 If in battle, if the head's not protected, you can lead to a lethal blow 00:02:37.900 --> 00:02:38.500 quickly. 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:46.039 And that's the idea behind our descriptive piece of battle armor that 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:48.060 we deal with this morning. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:52.659 We've been talking about spiritual warfare and that we better be ready 00:02:52.659 --> 00:02:54.000 for that we're in the midst of. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:57.039 And we talked about living out the truth of the gospel. 00:02:57.580 --> 00:03:02.379 And we've talked about living right before the Lord, making sure that we get 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:06.599 the gospel out and that it's a living part of our life and trusting God 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:10.579 completely when the enemy's fiery darts come. 00:03:11.579 --> 00:03:18.539 Today, we're going to talk about the need to protect ourselves from a lethal blow. 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:23.579 In Ephesians chapter 6, verse 17, he said, 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:27.159 Take the helmet of salvation. 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:35.159 Now, a Roman helmet, probably the one that was kept in mind, was made of solid cast metal. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:40.759 Or some were made of leather with patches of metal sewn in. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:44.479 It was to save the head from fiery darts. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:48.060 But it was also to save the head from a broadsword. 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:52.419 A broadsword was about three to four feet long. 00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:56.319 It was to be held with two hands like a baseball bat. 00:03:56.619 --> 00:04:00.099 And it was to be hammered down on top of someone's head. 00:04:00.959 --> 00:04:05.079 To say the least, it was a lethal blow. 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:11.539 Although Satan came to steal, kill, and destroy, when we are saved, 00:04:12.119 --> 00:04:14.159 he cannot claim us. 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:19.560 Once you're saved, the devil cannot have us. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:25.699 Because salvation in Christ is a helmet of protection. 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:29.740 It is our secure hope. 00:04:30.379 --> 00:04:31.660 And I want to tell you how today. 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:34.699 For one, it is our life hope. 00:04:35.660 --> 00:04:39.740 Jesus came and lived a sinless life and died a death in our place 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:42.279 so that we could have salvation through him. 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:44.899 Hebrews chapter 3, verse 7 and 8 says, 00:04:44.899 --> 00:04:51.379 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. 00:04:51.539 --> 00:04:56.339 In other words, God is the one that initiates our salvation. 00:04:56.979 --> 00:04:58.299 He speaks to us. 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:01.599 I like the way it's been put, not audibly, but louder than that. 00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:03.399 He speaks to the state of our heart. 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:05.279 We know the state of our soul. 00:05:05.659 --> 00:05:07.799 And when he speaks, we know he's speaking. 00:05:07.979 --> 00:05:12.219 And when we respond to him in obedience, our life is changed. 00:05:12.220 --> 00:05:17.420 Romans 10, verse 9 says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:22.020 and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:26.000 It's followed by verse 13 that says everyone that does that, 00:05:26.380 --> 00:05:29.500 calls upon the name of the Lord, will be saved. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:33.400 So the salvation process is when we ask God to forgive us 00:05:33.400 --> 00:05:36.640 and we repent and turn from our sin. 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:39.260 He removes our sin. 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:43.439 Scripture says as far as the east is from the west. 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:47.980 And he establishes us into a relationship with him. 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:56.959 Our life hope is that if that's ever established, it never changes. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:58.779 It is sure. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:00.659 It is certain. 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:07.740 If Christ has saved you, there's no need for you to feel insecure in your salvation. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:11.680 There's no need for you to feel unsure of your salvation. 00:06:12.259 --> 00:06:16.360 The devil wants you to feel insecure. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:20.480 He wants you to feel unsure. 00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:25.900 But the reality is the devil nor anybody else can take that away. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:32.060 We cannot lose our salvation once we've placed our faith in Christ Jesus. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:34.100 Ephesians chapter 2, verse 8 says, 00:06:34.100 --> 00:06:36.580 For by grace you've been saved through faith. 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:39.040 And this is not of your own doing. 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:40.540 It is the gift of God. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:42.620 In other words, you don't do salvation. 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:44.020 He does it in you. 00:06:44.140 --> 00:06:48.200 And you can't take salvation because he secures it. 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:51.939 That's what Christ came to do. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:56.280 When the angel came to Joseph, that Jesus' father figure on earth, 00:06:56.360 --> 00:07:01.180 he said that he will save his people from their sins. 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:04.180 That's what the word Jesus means. 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:06.280 It's what he came to do. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:09.540 And once you're saved, you're always saved. 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:12.900 But it's important to know that you're saved. 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:15.939 You need to know that you know the Lord. 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:23.060 Don't rest in an emotional decision that you made as a child. 00:07:23.780 --> 00:07:26.819 I'm not telling you that you can't get saved as a child. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:29.399 I was saved at a very young age. 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:32.079 I'm not saying that that's not real. 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:38.839 But I'm saying we need to know that we're saved by the evidence that came forth from that decision. 00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:41.879 Has there been any fruit in your life at all from that point? 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:45.099 Is there any evidence at all that that was legitimate? 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:51.219 Don't ever rest in just repeating a few words after somebody. 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:54.519 It's not the words that you say that lead you to the Lord. 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:57.120 It's the heart that you have before the Lord. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:59.439 It's what you really mean. 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:03.800 Don't ever rely on a time when you followed a friend down the aisle because it was popular. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:06.920 You need to make sure that it's real. 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:13.199 The question is, have you ever truly surrendered your life to him? 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:24.659 And if you surrendered your life to him and ask you to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life, you ought to be able to rest in that. 00:08:24.979 --> 00:08:28.219 I like what John says in 1 John 5, verse 11 through 13. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:34.299 He said, and this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life and this life is in his son. 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:36.500 Whoever has the son has life. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:40.179 Whoever does not have the son of God does not have life. 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:42.679 I write these things to you. 00:08:42.719 --> 00:08:44.279 And this is one of my favorite scriptures. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:48.059 It's almost repeated verbatim in John 20, verse 31. 00:08:48.459 --> 00:08:56.659 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:08:57.199 --> 00:08:59.519 You need to nail that down. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:03.459 I thank God that in Christ we can nail that down. 00:09:03.579 --> 00:09:05.879 It is our life hope. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:07.740 It's what we rest in. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:13.879 But it's not only that, but our salvation is also a growing hope. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:22.980 Because when we give our lives to Christ, we have joined team Jesus, if you will. 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:27.980 And there is a status change that takes place. 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:31.039 I want you to listen to what the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:09:31.039 --> 00:10:01.019 He said this, 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.039 But God. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.039 But God. 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:04.719 But God. 00:10:04.839 --> 00:10:07.019 Biggest but in scripture is right there. 00:10:07.219 --> 00:10:07.799 But God. 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:08.959 But God. 00:10:09.079 --> 00:10:15.379 Being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:18.039 Even when we were dead in our trespasses. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:22.559 Makes us alive together with Christ. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:27.039 By grace, thank God, you have been saved. 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:27.939 Listen. 00:10:28.219 --> 00:10:30.039 When we're saved, we are changed. 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:32.039 There's a position change. 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:32.620 There's a position change. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:36.120 We are in Christ. 00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:40.340 But not only that, but there's a process change that takes place. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:44.500 Because the work of salvation begins in us. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.279 Let me ask you to think about something for a moment. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:49.120 Let's say you want a new job. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:53.139 And so you're going to apply for a new job. 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:54.639 And you're going to get your resume together. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:58.320 And you're going to double check that and make sure that it's spaced out correctly. 00:10:58.399 --> 00:11:01.379 And make sure that all the words are written correctly. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:03.860 And put in the best grammar that you possibly can. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:05.700 You want to make it look as good as you possibly can. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:09.919 If you're filling out an application, you want to make sure that you fill it out in a way they can read it. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:10.440 Number one. 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:12.379 And number two, that is truthful. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:15.659 But man, it sounds as good as it can possibly sound. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:17.340 And then you turn that in. 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:20.680 They call you and they want to interview you. 00:11:21.680 --> 00:11:23.120 You sit down with an interview with them. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:28.139 And you try your best to shine in every way. 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:36.139 Whether that's one interview or several interviews, you do everything you can to make yourself look as good as you possibly can. 00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:40.040 And they call you and tell you you've got the job. 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.240 Congratulations. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:42.480 Congratulations. 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:45.180 Are you done? 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:52.299 Well, if you thought that was it, you're not going to keep that job very long. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:58.799 Because the reality is once you get that job, that's when the work begins. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:00.379 Now listen. 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:05.799 Our salvation comes by the grace of God through the cross of Christ. 00:12:06.600 --> 00:12:09.480 And once it's done, it is secure. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:17.500 But the salvation that we receive for him is to progress for the rest of our lives. 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:20.980 Do we become more secure in our salvation? 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:21.639 No. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:29.700 You were as secure the day you gave your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ as you'll ever be throughout the rest of your life. 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:33.940 You become, however, more Christian. 00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:37.399 You become more like Christ. 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:40.279 He is at work in you. 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:43.559 In other words, you ought to get better at it. 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:48.659 Paul prayed for us like this when he said in Colossians chapter 1 verse 9 through 11, 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:57.059 And so, from the day we heard, we've not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 00:12:57.059 --> 00:13:08.439 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:17.220 May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy. 00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:20.620 That is the process of sanctification. 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:25.100 And it's becoming more like Christ. 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:29.860 We're blessed this weekend to have my oldest daughter here from Mississippi visiting with us. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:42.500 We honored Millie at the ball game on Friday night, senior night, and Abby made a point to take a day and drive to be here for that special event, and she spent the weekend with us. 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:44.460 She's recently had ear surgery. 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:47.440 She had an eardrum that was replaced. 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:56.340 The doctor went in behind her ear, took cartons from that area, opened her up back there, went in, built a new eardrum, and did all that. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:14:02.500 And before she had that surgery, they gave her instructions in preparation for that surgery. 00:14:03.160 --> 00:14:09.680 And one of them was that I remember particularly is you don't eat the day of, you know, and you don't drink the day of. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:14.600 And if you go in and tell them that you've eaten and drank or drank, you'll go home, you know, after that. 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.020 So you won't have it. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.280 But anyway, that's one instruction. 00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:21.639 And then when you get done with the surgery, they give you all kinds of instructions as well. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.639 They had packed that ear. 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:24.980 They had covered that ear and the whole bit. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.919 They had done all kinds of things for that. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:30.019 And they gave her instructions on what to do in those days afterwards. 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:38.259 And then as she went back, as she continued to progress, they gave her further instructions and more medicine to do and all that kind of stuff. 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.500 Are you taking your drops? 00:14:39.579 --> 00:14:40.459 Are you doing what you're supposed to do? 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:40.660 All right. 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:42.980 So, listen. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:51.680 What is the success of that process is not only on that surgeon. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:58.900 The success of that process is in the patient following the instructions as well. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:05.699 Now, what's God's instructions to believers? 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:09.320 Romans 12, verse 2. 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:15.560 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:18.679 That by testing you may discern what is the will of God. 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:22.559 What is good and acceptable and perfect. 00:15:23.219 --> 00:15:28.199 Not only that, he follows that up by saying in 2 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 3 through 5. 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:42.640 That's the very thing we're talking about, folks. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.900 In the armor of God. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.160 Now, listen to what he says. 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:54.759 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God. 00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:57.500 And get this last phrase. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:03.400 And take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:15.420 It is key that we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:20.420 Years ago, I was at Cleveland Park. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.759 And a man walked up to me. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.879 And we began to talk. 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:25.940 And I led that man to Christ. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:28.420 I followed that up. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.820 And I went back to his apartment. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:31.060 He was a man that lived. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:31.980 Didn't have much. 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:34.260 He lived by meager means. 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:36.060 And when I walked in his apartment. 00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:37.560 And he cut on the light. 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:40.080 The room came to life. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:43.700 I had never seen that many roaches. 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:46.320 That just scattered all over the place. 00:16:46.540 --> 00:16:47.880 They wasn't even scared of the light. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:50.159 They came out and said, hey, how you doing? 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:50.740 You know. 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.019 They were everywhere. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:53.639 I looked for a place to sit. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.059 I sat down. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.120 They crawled across my shoe. 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.320 I'd never seen anything like that. 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:01.500 In my heart, I wanted to go stomping. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.460 And kill them all. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.039 Get them all done. 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:07.759 But I didn't want to hurt that man's feelings at all. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.379 I acted like I never saw him. 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:15.619 And I sat down and talked to him about what it means to give his heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:21.779 And we were able to baptize him in days afterwards and try to encourage him in his faith. 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:27.440 But you want to stamp those things out. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:31.579 You want to get rid of every one of them. 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:47.440 And that kind of philosophy is the very thing that we need to have in our heart and life when it comes to every thought that is not pleasing to the Lord. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:52.860 Take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:18:03.120 When you're a child of God and the devil whispers into your ear that you're good for nothing, take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:10.059 When Satan puts an impure thought in your mind, take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:23.179 When he puts something in your mind that you feel like you want to say, something that you need to ponder on, somebody you need to get back to, take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.859 It's like whacking a mole. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.559 Just keep whacking. 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:31.259 Take every thought captive to obey Christ. 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:35.759 It'll wear you out to begin with. 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:40.839 But remember what James tells us. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:45.440 Resist the devil and he'll flee from you. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:55.460 When his schemes and his plans no longer work and you're taking every thought captive to obey Christ, 00:18:55.460 --> 00:19:04.680 you're building, excuse me, the Holy Spirit is building you up in Christ. 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:09.059 And God is renewing you. 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:15.220 He is completing the work in us. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:18.460 Philippians chapter 1 verse 6 says, 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:25.100 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus. 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.959 You know what that means? 00:19:26.399 --> 00:19:28.079 Christ is not done with you. 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:31.539 And he won't be done with you until you see him face to face. 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.819 It lasts for a lifetime. 00:19:33.899 --> 00:19:42.099 And the whole time at last, if we've ever given our heart and life to the Lord, the whole time at last, we are secure in our salvation. 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:45.939 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 12 says, 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:49.360 But I am not ashamed for I know whom I believe. 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:55.820 And I'm convinced that he's able to guard until that day what was entrusted to me. 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:59.440 The devil will try his best to throw us off. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:02.600 He'll try his best to make us doubt. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:05.940 He'll try his best to discourage us. 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:07.660 But I got news for you folks. 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.740 You need to hear me today. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:10.519 Salvation is a fact. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:14.940 Our security in our salvation is a fact. 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:21.879 Assurance is the feeling that comes from knowing that you know the Lord Jesus. 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:24.680 And in that, we grow in Christ. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:27.839 It is our growing hope, thank God. 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.900 But that's not all. 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:34.139 For our salvation as well is our future hope. 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:37.100 Our salvation is our future hope. 00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:40.720 Our conversion is when we surrender our lives to the Lord. 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:43.680 And when that's real, it cannot be lost. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:47.960 Satan does not have the authority to take our salvation away from us. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:50.620 No one can snatch you out of the hand of the Father. 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:53.259 And I don't believe you can fall out of the hand of the Father. 00:20:54.800 --> 00:20:58.180 What I always think about when I think about this, and I've talked about this before, 00:20:58.380 --> 00:21:03.140 but when my children were young and they were old enough to walk on their own, 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:07.840 but not old enough to be trusted in a Walmart parking lot, okay, by themselves, 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:14.540 I held them by the hand and walked them into the store, okay? 00:21:16.060 --> 00:21:20.420 Now, I tried to train them to hold on to my hand. 00:21:21.280 --> 00:21:22.840 But I'm just going to be honest with you. 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:29.759 If they had let go in the Walmart parking lot of my hand, it wouldn't have made any difference, okay? 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:32.060 Because I was holding it. 00:21:32.060 --> 00:21:32.940 It would have made a difference. 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:37.920 I might have picked them up real nice and pinched them and twisted them right underneath their thigh. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:40.240 But anyway, it would have made a difference. 00:21:40.320 --> 00:21:43.640 But anyway, they wasn't going anywhere. 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:47.180 Because I had a hold of them. 00:21:49.020 --> 00:21:50.460 I was holding on to them. 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:52.980 And I got news for you. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:22:05.440 In the same way, by the blood of the Lamb and with the Spirit of God, God the Father is holding on to us. 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:10.880 You can let go all you want to, friend, but if you're a child of God, He's never going to let go of you. 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:14.240 You are secure with Him. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:18.620 Once saved, we begin the sanctification process. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:21.740 That's the process of becoming more like Christ. 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:26.920 And we will not get there in this life, but we progress throughout our lives. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:29.100 And it's an imperfect progression. 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:33.539 Chuck Swindoll years ago said three steps forward and two steps back. 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:35.580 Man, that's a step of progress, you know. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.080 Three steps forward, two steps back. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.060 You've made progress. 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:44.080 But there's also, not only that, there's also a future of our hope. 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:48.580 Because our salvation comes with a guarantee of a greater promise. 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:50.220 I want you to see this this morning and I'll close. 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:53.299 1 Peter 1, verse 3-5 says this. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:56.899 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:23:05.379 According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.079 Listen to this. 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:13.379 To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:21.340 Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:23.500 It is secure, my friend. 00:23:23.760 --> 00:23:25.880 Not only that, but we will be glorified. 00:23:26.020 --> 00:23:27.820 1 John 3, verse 2 says, 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:32.560 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared. 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:39.760 But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is. 00:23:39.760 --> 00:23:43.260 We will be made like Him. 00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:56.900 I will live until the day I die looking for and believing in the hope, the blessed hope of Jesus appearing and calling me home. 00:23:57.300 --> 00:24:01.800 And that, my friend, is the helmet of my salvation. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.780 That's what I rest in. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:15.559 Now, the Roman helmet was one of protection against lethal blows. 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:26.220 Those in authority had helmets that were topped with an ornate plume. 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:38.880 If you've ever seen the church passion play and the Roman soldiers come down with stiff, bristled red brooms glued to the top of their helmet, okay? 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.420 That's what we're talking about, all right? 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.140 Ornate plumes. 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:50.000 It was not just a fighting helmet. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:56.840 But it was one that identified whose army they were in. 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:03.780 Whose army are you in? 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:08.040 Who are you identifying with? 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:14.240 And are you sure that you're in? 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:22.920 Has there been a time in your life when you know that you've asked the Lord Jesus to forgive you of your sins, 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:28.839 to come into your life, and to save you and change you? 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.579 Has that ever happened? 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:34.799 If it has, are you living like it? 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:37.399 Are you hoping like it? 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:40.819 Does your life reflect it? 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:46.659 That's the message of the helmet of our salvation. 00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:53.200 First, if you've never given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ, you need to do that. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:55.059 Today's the day of salvation. 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.720 He'll meet you where you are. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:26:00.440 If there's an inkling in you that feels like you want to do that, 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:02.019 believe me, you didn't come up with that. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:04.779 Scripture says you were dead in your transgressions and sins. 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:13.119 It's God himself who's come to you, who's whispered into your heart that you need to surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.700 He'll save you and change you. 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:19.559 And if you have done that, if you've never publicly acknowledged that, 00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:24.559 Jesus, by his example and by his commission, shows us that it happens through baptism. 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:30.859 And I'm just telling you, after doing this for a few years, I've learned from people that if they haven't been baptized as believers, 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.899 it becomes a hindrance in their walk with God. 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.720 It's the first step of obedience. 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:37.659 It's kind of like skipping the last step or something. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.179 You know what I'm saying? 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.000 You don't work. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:43.799 If you want to try that, go climb steps in the middle of the night, all right? 00:26:43.899 --> 00:26:45.619 Miss a couple of steps and see what happens. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.359 You don't need to miss a step. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.679 It don't take away your salvation. 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:50.279 It don't provide you salvation. 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.880 But it confirms it. 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.580 It confirms it publicly. 00:26:54.700 --> 00:27:00.259 And maybe you're here this morning and you've done all that, but God is leading you to First Baptist Church. 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:03.019 God's doing a wonderful work in our church, and I'm thankful for that. 00:27:03.560 --> 00:27:07.900 We had a man come this morning and join our church during our earlier worship hour. 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:09.440 What a blessing that is. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.460 That's a new thing for us. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:19.900 You know, this new, this two worship hour things, it's a new thing for us, and we're still getting adjusted to all that. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:25.440 But, man, I'm thankful that somebody came this morning from our earlier service and joined our church. 00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:30.019 Maybe God's leading you to be a part of that. 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:35.160 We'd love to have you, and we'd love to guide you in that process, however God's leading you. 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:37.519 I'll be happy to help you along the way with that. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:47.339 Or maybe, and this will be the majority of folks here, maybe you got your helmet of salvation. 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.799 You know you've been saved. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:56.339 You know that Satan can't steal that from you, that you can rest in that. 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.720 But you're struggling on the battlefield. 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:06.000 Every thought in your life is not being taken captive to obey Christ. 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:09.579 You need renewal in your life today. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:13.900 And I am thankful that the Lord Jesus meets us where we are. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:18.539 We're going to stand and we're going to sing in just a moment, but more important than that, I want you to do business with God. 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:21.079 And you can do that where you'll stand. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.500 You can do it at this altar. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:24.639 I'll be happy to pray with you. 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:26.559 I don't know what God wants you to do. 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.879 I just want you to be obedient. 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:30.160 Just follow what God would lead you. 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:32.519 And if there's questions along the way, I'm here. 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:35.639 I'll be happy to guide you in that process. 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:37.099 Let's pray together. 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:38.299 Lord Jesus, we love you. 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:40.679 We thank you for your love for us. 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:43.740 Will you lead us right now to simply be obedient to follow you, Lord? 00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:46.619 In Jesus' precious name, amen.