Are You Wearing the Right Helmet?

We explore the helmet of salvation and explore why it is so important in our lives. Which helmet of salvation do you put on? Wearing the wrong helmet can leave you vulnerable and open you up for potential dangers, so it's crucial you choose the right one! 

References

• The Evolution of the Helmet
  • https://www.nfl.com/photos/the-evolution-of-the-helmet-0ap1000000094622#94324a25-125d-4cd1-b546-b2a8a95a696c
• Which Helmet for Which Activity?
  • https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/sports-fitness-and-recreation-bicycles/which-helmet-which-activity

Transcript

A Savior Who Changes Everything

Host 0:00

He was born in a place no one cared about, lived without wealth or status, and yet everywhere he went, lives were changed. The lame stood, the broken healed, the forgotten felt seen. Crowds followed him, leaders feared him, and one friend betrayed him. He was executed like a criminal, and three days later, the grave was empty.

Intro

Host 0:27

Welcome to Searching for Scripture, where we find the connections between Scripture and the world around us, because Scripture isn't hidden, it's just waiting to be seen. In this episode, we'll be moving along to the next piece in the armor of God and look at the helmet of salvation. Last episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with Pastor Brad Drake to discuss the breastplate of righteousness and how righteousness is a gift from God. As part of that conversation, Pastor Brad commented on the helmet of salvation and gave some great insight. Stick around in this episode and we'll find out why the helmet of salvation is such a crucial part in the armor of God and how it affects our everyday lives. Thanks for being here. I hope you enjoy.

Why Helmets Matter In Real Life?

Host 1:23

The first recorded game of American football happened on November 6, 1869. This was an intercollegiate game played between the Rutgers and Princeton. The first game looked very different from how we know American football today. Walter Camp is credited as the one to transform the initial soccer rugby hybrid into the distinct American sport that is played, watched, and loved across America. There are many aspects of this game that have changed and evolved over the last 150 years, one of those things being the iconic helmet. There's a very cool visual on the NFL website if you want to see the evolution of football helmets throughout history. These helmets have gone through extensive research and development over the years, and hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to ensure they provide the highest level of protection to players. Back in 2016, the NFL allocated $60 million towards the creation and funding of what they called the engineering roadmap. This was a comprehensive effort to improve the understanding of the biomechanics of head entries in professional football. This also created incentives for helmet manufacturers, small businesses, entrepreneurs, universities, and others to develop and commercialize new and improved protective equipment like helmets. The question has to be asked: why is there so much money invested into making helmets actually do their job? Because your head is important. Let's move on to another activity th at's highly recommended you wear a helmet. Riding a bike. As goofy as they may feel sometimes or look, helmets are important. According to the CDC, nearly 1,000 cyclists die, and an estimated 120,000 ER visits of cyclists are treated for non-fatal crash-related injuries annually. The Brain Injury Association of America states that by wearing a helmet, it is found to reduce head injuries by 48%, serious head injury by 60%, traumatic brain injury by 53%, face injury by 23%, and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34%. There is a reason everyone always tells you to wear a helmet. There's a reason that people spend millions of dollars in research and development to create safer helmets. It is important, and it could be the difference of life and death in some scenarios. But how do you know what helmet to use? Why are there so many different kinds of helmets? And are all helmets created equal? If you play a sport, you probably have a good idea of the kind of helmet that you need. And in most cases, these helmets are unique to their particular sport or activity. The thought did pop in my head though. Can helmets cross over into other activities? If you are in a pinch and just doing this activity for fun, yeah, of course. I really don't think it would pose that much of a problem. However, on a professional level, I'm sure that they have strict guidelines in place to prevent something like this from happening. And you know, there's probably a good reason for

Which Helmet for Which Activity

Host 4:27

that. I came across a for sure article thing by the U.S. Customer Product Safety Commission titled Which Helmet for Which Activity? They answer a number of questions and give you a table showing the helmets you should be wearing for a variety of sports and activities. But there was one answer in particular that caught my attention. The question was, are all helmets the same? And I'm just going to read the response to this question. It said, no, there are different helmets for different activities. Each type of helmet is made to protect your head from the kind of impacts that typically are associated with that particular activity. Be sure to wear a helmet that is appropriate for the particular activity you are involved in. Helmets designed for other activities may not protect your head effectively.

Why the Helmet of Salvation?

Host 5:18

So reading through this, I immediately thought of the helmet of salvation. If helmets are designed for a specific activity, then what does that mean for the helmet of salvation? And it begs the question, why salvation? We've seen that each part of the armor of God so far has been associated with a particular biblical principle. So why salvation? Why the helmet of salvation?

Ephesians 6:10-20

Host 5:42

I think the best place to start digging into this question is the same place that we've started with all of the other pieces. Ephesians 6, 10 through 20. It says, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over the present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as the shoes for your feet, putting on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, that you may be able to extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying in all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication, to that end, keep alert, with all perseverance, with supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly as I ought to speak. Like many other pieces, the scripture doesn't really give us much on the helmet of salvation. So let's try to break it down.

What is Salvation?

Host 7:16

We know what a helmet is and what it's for, but what is salvation? According to Google's AI overview, salvation refers to the act of saving or the state of being preserved from harm, danger, destruction, or fundamentally in theology, the redemption of humanity from sin and its penalties. You know, this seems pretty straightforward, right? It's likely that you already have an idea of what salvation is from a general perspective. But what does it mean for you right now?

His Name is Jesus

Host 7:50

Every conversation about salvation begins with one story. The story of a man unlike any other. A life so disruptive, so compassionate, so impossible to ignore that you can't talk about salvation without first talking about him. He was born in a small, overlooked town, so ordinary that most maps didn't bother to mark it. His arrival wasn't announced in palaces or courts, but it was whispered among shepherds and travelers who claimed they had seen signs in the sky. From the beginning, his life seemed to move to a rhythm the world wasn't listening for. As a boy, he carried a quiet wisdom that unsettled adults. He asked questions that felt less like curiosity and more like invitations. Questions that made people examine their own hearts. Even then, there was a sense that he saw the world not just for what it was, for what it could be. When he got older, he stepped into the public life with no wealth, no army, no political backing, only a message. He spoke of a kingdom not built by human hands, a kingdom where the poor were blessed, the broken were healed, the outcast were welcomed to the table. Crowds gathered wherever he went, drawn not just by his words, but by the way he lived them. He touched the untouchable, he restored the forgotten, he calmed storms with a sentence and confronted evil with a single command. Some called him a teacher, others called him a threat, but many simply called him hope. As his influence grew, so did the opposition. Leaders plotted against him, friends misunderstood him, and one of his closest companions betrayed him for the price of a slave. He was arrested under the cover of night, tried in a court that had already decided the verdict, and sentenced to die the most humiliating way that his world could imagine. He carried the weight of a cross through the streets that once cheered his name. He was mocked, beaten, lifted up on a hill, as if to be forgotten by heaven and earth alike. And when he breathed his last, the sky darkened as though creation itself mourned. His followers buried him quickly, hearts shattered, dreams undone. For them the story was over. But on the third day the tomb they had sealed was found opened, the grave that they had guarded was empty, and the one that they thought they had lost forever stood before them, alive, unbound, radiant with life that death could not hold. He spent his final days not in triumph, but in tenderness, restoring doubters, forgiving failures, and sending ordinary people to carry an extraordinary message to the ends of the earth. And the world has never been the same since. His name is Jesus.

Why We Have Salvation

Host 10:50

We have salvation today because of the life Jesus lived and died, but we get to continue to live in that salvation because his story didn't end with his death. It didn't end because he didn't stay dead. Jesus rose three days later and is now seated in heaven at the right hand of God the Father. Salvation is something we have because of Jesus. Our story of salvation starts with him. He is the origin story that our lives are built on. The best part, there is nothing that we can do to earn it. No price that we can pay to buy it. We simply get it because God loved us so much.

A Word From Pastor Brad

Host 11:34

If you remember our discussion with Pastor Brad in our last episode, he said something that I thought was really interesting, and I had never really thought about it that way before. I'm going to go ahead and play a little clip from that episode so you can hear it for yourself. I mean obviously he says to put on the whole armor, and so we want the whole armor and we need the whole armor, but I think it's interesting that that the the two most vital pieces, that's the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness, both of those are not anything that we do for ourselves. And so our our our mind, our head, is covered with salvation, and our heart, which is really who we are, is covered, protected by the righteousness that comes from God that we can't do for ourselves. And so that's why I think that that it is it is that it's that protection of the most vital parts of us. I mean, you can, you know, you can lose an arm, you can lose a leg, you can't lose your head or your heart and still live. And so God made sure to protect the most vital parts of our relationship with Him, with things that He provides for us, not that what we provide for ourselves. I loved this perspective on the helmet of salvation. The two most vital pieces of the armor are gifts from God and are completely out of our control. Just how we can't earn righteousness, the same applies

Salvation Is A Free Gift

Host 13:20

for salvation. It was a free gift that God gave us through Jesus. Here are a few verses that confirm this idea that salvation is a gift to us. And we'll start off with probably the most famous verse in history. John 3 16 says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Romans 6 23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2, 8 through 9. For by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It is a gift from God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Salvation is a gift to us,

Accepting The Gift And Putting It On

Host 14:09

brought forth by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. However, the gift doesn't do anything for us if we don't accept it. Just think of the presence that you get on Christmas. Until you pick up that present, rip open the wrapping paper, and pull out the gift, it's really useless to you. You can't enjoy it, you can't truly be thankful for it, and it certainly isn't going to serve the purpose that that person gave it to you for. Romans 8, 10 9 says, Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that he has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. This is why we have the sinner's prayer in the altar calls at church services, summer camps, and conferences. It's an act of accepting Christ into our lives and in turn accepting the free gift of salvation. It's the same reason that I believe Paul specifically writes to put on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6.11. While salvation is a free gift, we still have to take it and put it on. We have to accept it. The need to accept that gift is also where

The Wrong Helmets People Choose

Host 15:18

I believe many people go wrong. Earlier we talked about how certain sports require certain helmets. You know, you wouldn't wear a football helmet to go snowboarding or a motorcycle helmet to play baseball. When you choose to use the wrong helmet, you put yourself at a disadvantage and open yourself up for potential dangers. I believe the same applies for the helmet of salvation. There is only one helmet of salvation that will truly save you and truly keep you safe from the penalties of sin. Many people put on the helmet of salvation of their works or behaviors. They put on the helmet of salvation of their own philosophies. They entrust their salvation to things that can't actually save them. Works alone, your behaviors alone, the way you live alone won't save you. It is by accepting Jesus alone that we can truly find freedom in salvation from our sins. We need to choose the right helmet for the right game. And if you are looking for salvation in your life, there is only one helmet that you need to put on, and that is God's helmet of salvation. The one that is freely given to you, the one that has been paid for by the blood of Jesus. If you want that, the first step is accepting it. I wanted to close this episode by giving you that opportunity.

Prayer To Accept Or Recommit

Host 16:41

The opportunity to accept Christ into your life, just like we've talked about in this episode. By accepting Him, you are accepting His free gift and salvation. You may be listening today, and you have never heard of this Jesus guy before. I'd say that that's the reason that you are here listening to this right now. Something prompted you to listen. Something drew you to this episode. And that something was the Holy Spirit. There may also be those that have that have accepted Christ into their lives once before, but they haven't really lived a life that glorified God. This is your chance to get back on the right path and realign your life to put the heaven of salvation back on. So whether this is your first time accepting Christ or you just need to recommit, this opportunity is open to everyone. I'm gonna lead you through a simple prayer, and I would invite you to repeat after me. Even though you are repeating it, let it be real. Open your heart to receive the free gift that God has for you. Alright, here we go. Lord Jesus, I recognize I am a sinner and in need of your grace and salvation. I believe you are the one true God that you have laid down your life and rose again three days later so that I could have freedom from my sins. Forgive me of my sins in this moment and fill me with your presence. I invite you to come into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. Amen. If you prayed this prayer today, I am so happy for you. This may seem like a very small thing right now, but don't take it lightly. Accept this free gift that God has and walk in freedom from your sin. The next step I would encourage you to do is tell someone about

Next Steps And Ways To Respond

Host 18:45

the decision that you made today. Just like any other big moment in our lives, we should share it with others. I would love to hear from you as well. If you accepted Christ into your life for the first time or recommitted today, I would encourage you to click on the text-to-show link in the show notes below because I would love to hear your story. I can't wait to hear what God is doing in your life. I hope you have enjoyed this episode about the helmet of

Outro

Host 19:17

salvation. Salvation is something that we have because of one man, and his name is Jesus. The best part of salvation is that it's a free gift that we just have to accept. Hopefully, this episode has helped you determine if you are wearing the right helmet of salvation. If you wanted to check out any of the references or articles that I mentioned in this episode, I will link them in the show notes below. Honestly, this was an afterthought, so I don't have all of them, but I will try to do my best to keep track of them for future episodes. If this episode was an encouragement to you, I would love to hear what you thought about this episode. You can send us a text by clicking text to show in the show notes below. While you're there, you can check out our support page and be a part of expanding our reach, giving back to the community, and investing into other ministries. I would invite you to share this episode with someone in your life, and together we can search for scripture in our everyday lives. God bless you guys. Thanks for listening.