PUT ON YOUR HARD HAT
NUMBER 6 IN SERIES
EPHESIANS 6:10-20 (17)
INTRO. There used to be a men’s clothing store in Sylva, N.C. called Shulman’s. It was and old store, and on one wall was a sign which read, "If you want to get ahead, get a hat."
That may be a trite advertising slogan, but it is really the Apostle Paul’s point in his reference to the fifth piece of armour, the "helmet of salvation." If you want to get ahead spiritually, get a hat, or a helmet, or a hard hat.
Paul is teaching here concerning the protection of the Christian’s mind. He is telling us that the power of the Gospel must be applied to the mind. The Gospel is the power onto salvation, and that salvation surely includes the mind. It is the mind that is most likely to get the Christian in trouble. All sin begins in the mind, and moves to its place of commission from there.
The helmet, like the other pieces of a soldier’s armour, is provided by the army with which he fights. The army provides his armour, but it is left to him to put it on. Our helmet of salvation is provided by God, but we must put it on. When we put it on, what does it do for us? Why is it absolutely necessary to include it in our battle dress?
I TO BE HOLY MINDED
Philip. 4:8 "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoevr things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if the be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
A. Be Ye Holy As I Am Holy
1. How?
a. plead the power of the blood
b. refuse to be a receptacle for all garbage
II TO BE HEAVENLY MINDED
Have you ever heard, "he is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good?"
There are people who have the wrong kind of heavenly mindedness. They
live in a dream world, a kind of escapism from reality. THAT IS NOT WHAT
WE DESIRE FROM GOD.
We are pleading for such a consciousness of heavenly realities that our
lives here on earth will be changed. We want that kind of heavenly mindedness
which Paul describes in Col. 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth."
While it is possible to be so heavenly minded in the wrong way as to be no earthly good, the far more prominent problem is that we tend to be so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good.
Charles Sheldon - In His Steps - What would Jesus Do? - WWJD
III TO BE HUMBLE MINDED
Philip. 2:3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglorying, but in the lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than himself."
Warren Weirsbe- " Theme of Philippians is Put Jesus first, other next and yourself last."
Satan is the very personification of pride, and it is pride that mankind is most
susceptible to. Mormonism original lie of Satan.
Some don’t wear the helmet of salvation because their heads are too puffed up to get it on.
TO BE Harmony Minded
How often Paul exorts us to exhibit the quality of unity.
How many church squabbles would be prevented if we would but wear the helmet of salvation, allowing Christ to control our mind.
