Our Salvation in Christ

Ephesians 6:14-18a
March 15, 2020
Abraham Hong

Sermon Script

Dear Highland, as we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us remember the big picture. We are in the middle of a war between Jesus and the devil. This war has already been won by Jesus. But this war is not yet over for us. The devil hates us and he attacks us with his schemes.

But Jesus loves us. Jesus loves you. He gives you armor. And you are to put it on. When you put on his armor, you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. When you put on his armor, you will be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for his truth and his word. Praise the Lord for his righteousness. Praise the Lord for his gift of faith. Praise the Lord for the readiness given by his gospel of peace. And praise the Lord, all in all, at the end of the day, for his salvation.

The salvation of Jesus Christ is magnificent and amazing. Jesus has saved you. Jesus is saving you. And Jesus will save you.

Jesus has saved you. He died for your sins. He credited you with his righteousness. You are united with him. And nothing can separate you from his love.

Jesus is saving you. He is growing you and changing you. You are conforming more and more to his image. You are a new creation… right now.

Jesus will save you. He promises you resurrection life at the end. You will walk by sight. You will enter into his kingdom of the new heavens and new earth. And he will be there waiting for you.

All of this is our salvation in Christ. Our ultimate problem is solved. Our greatest need is met. Our worst fear is dispelled. Our eternal home is guaranteed.

Therefore, dear Highland, when bad things happen in your life, think about your salvation in Christ. When life is hard, when you go through trials or sufferings, say to yourself, “I’m saved. I’m saved by Jesus.”

The enemy would have you forget in your life how magnificent and amazing your salvation in Christ really is. And so when you are afflicted in every way, when you are perplexed, when you are persecuted, when you are struck down, the enemy wants you to lose heart.

But when we are afflicted in every way, we are not crushed. When we are perplexed, we are not driven to despair. When we are persecuted, we are not forsaken. When we are struck down, we are not destroyed. How is this possible?

This is possible because of the helmet of salvation. You got a pretty nice helmet there. A helmet not made up of metal or polycarbonate or Kevlar or some power that comes from a silly little infinity stone. A helmet not made up of your own good works or your own strength. No. Your helmet of salvation is made up of the body and blood, and the person and work, and the grace and love… of Jesus Christ. And while it won’t stop bullets or concussions or bullying or the coronavirus (it’s not designed for such things), it does stop death and hell and alienation from God. It fits your head perfectly. And I dare say that when you put it on, Satan trembles. When you put it on, the devil trembles with a cosmic déjà vu. Because when he sees you put on the helmet of salvation, he remembers the one you are united with. He remembers the one who put on his helmet to save us. When he sees you put on the helmet of salvation, he sees a reflection of the one who has already crushed him and defeated him. He sees our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So put on the helmet of salvation. The rest of us have it on our heads. Why not you? Join us and stay with us as we stand firm together and wait for the return of our King. And when he returns, we will remove our helmets together in victory and lift them high and shout in the way of Revelation 19:1, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God…!”

But until then, dear Highland, keep the helmet of salvation on. Be full of hope and joy about the future. Be unshakeable and unafraid in dark times. Be satisfied and content as you wait. Be confident and certain about the salvation of God. The Son has risen and he is alive. And because he is your firstfruit, then same goes for you. The Father loves you. He will take care of you because you are his child. The Spirit dwells in you. He will help you with your helmet of salvation. Salvation belongs to our Triune God. He wins and you win too.

Let us encourage one another as we all have the same helmets, and all the more as we see the Day drawing near.

Soli Deo Gloria