Stand Firm - Week 6 - LIFE IN THE HIGHAM HOUSE

Stand Firm - Week 6

9/2/2024

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It's week six of our series, STAND FIRM.
Pastor Brit returns and leads us as we talk about the Helmet of Salvation.
Go ahead and grab your Bible and let's get to Ephesians 6:10-17

The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:10-17a ESV

Week Six Bumper

WEEK SIX MESSAGE

Sermon Text: Romans 5:1-2, 10; 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, 10:3-5;
Ephesians 6:17; Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 3:8

Consider these questions

Read Ephesians 6:17; Romans 5:1-11.

What stood out to you in the sermon this week and what did God reveal to you in the Scriptures, maybe for the first time?
SALVATION:
Where does the helmet of salvation come from and why do you think it’s a helmet?

Read Ephesians 6:17, Romans 3:23 and 6:23.

What do we mean when we talk about salvation from sin?

Sin is any feeling, thought, speech, or action that comes from a heart that does not treasure Christ over all things. Sin is not a struggle, it's a state of being. We didn't just trip on it, we were born with a taste for it, and we were born hungry. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a) You can try to self-atone for your sin, which is impossible, or trust in Jesus. Salvation is rescue from sin. Jesus is the only one who can rescue us from the death of sin and give us eternal life.

Pastor Britt said there are two parts to our salvation: being saved by Jesus and thinking like someone who is saved. Discuss what that means and how you can act that out in your daily life.

If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus died for your sins and God raised him from the dead, you are saved. Thinking saved is continually recognizing God’s truth in his word and understanding His love for you. Acting saved is obeying God’s commands out of gratitude for His love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thinking and acting like you’re saved is part of your progressive sanctification that Jesus is doing in you.

TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE:

Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Discover: How do you take every thought captive?

Recognize the negative or sinful thoughts that try to take root in your mind. Call them out as the lies that they are. Replace those thoughts with the truth of God’s word. Meditate on the word of God and the Gospel. Read Romans12:2 and Philippians 4:8. If you’re in Christ, you’re not guilty or dirty anymore, You have been washed by the blood of the lamb! You are clean!

Deepen:

Turn to page two of the Eleven22 Times newspaper. What are some of the lies and truths from the “It Is Written” section that apply to you.

You may also share any of your favorite scriptures on God’s love for you, your salvation, how to resist temptation, trust in God, etc.

ADOPTION:

Read Ephesians 1:5, John 1:12 and 1 John 3:1-3.

What does it mean to you to be adopted by God?

Remember Pastor Britt’s story about the letter from a father to his adopted daughter and how God knows every bad thing about you and STILL says, “I’ll take him, or I’ll take her.”

Action Step
Capture Your Thoughts: This week, practice taking every thought captive, especially those negative or sinful thoughts that try to take root in your mind.

Memorize 2 Corinthians 10:5 and consciously challenge thoughts that contradict the truth of the Gospel. Replace them with affirmations of God's forgiveness, love and your identity in Christ.