Embracing Salvation: Our Call to Spiritual Mission

The longing to draw nearer to God is not just a song we sing, but the very heartbeat of the Christian life. In a world full of transitions—whether it’s the start of a new school year or the shifting seasons of our lives—we are reminded that we are engaged in a real spiritual battle. This battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces of evil. The call is to put on the whole armor of God, and today, the focus is on the helmet of salvation—not as a mere metaphorical helmet, but as a living reality of what God has done for us in Christ.

Salvation begins with the sobering truth: we were dead in our trespasses and sins. This spiritual deadness is not always visible; people may look alive, successful, and even moral, but apart from Christ, they are “dead men walking”—following the ways of the world, the desires of the flesh, and the deceptions of Satan. The world’s wisdom often sounds appealing, but it is fundamentally opposed to the self-denying, Christ-centered life to which we are called.

But then comes the turning point: “But God.” In His rich mercy and great love, God intervenes. He makes us alive with Christ, raises us up, and seats us with Him in the heavenly places. This is not something we achieve by our own effort or goodness; it is entirely a gift of grace. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do. Our salvation is not just a rescue from death, but a commissioning into a life of purpose and mission.

As we step into new seasons—whether it’s a new school year, a new job, or simply a new day—God has already prepared opportunities for us to walk in. Every encounter, every appointment, every “random” meeting is a divine appointment. Our calling is to be faithful, to put on the helmet of salvation, and to go out among the “dead men walking” with humility and hope, knowing that God is still handing out “but God” moments, bringing the dead to life through the gospel.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spiritual deadness is the default human condition, even when outward appearances suggest otherwise. People may seem alive, moral, or successful, but apart from Christ, they are spiritually dead—unable to discern the things of God or respond to His Word. Recognizing this reality should fill us with compassion and urgency as we interact with those around us. [20:16]
• 2. The world, the flesh, and the devil are not just abstract enemies; they are active influences shaping the desires, values, and decisions of those apart from Christ. The world’s wisdom often masquerades as truth, but it subtly opposes the self-denial and humility of the gospel. As believers, we must be vigilant, discerning, and intentional about guarding our minds and hearts with the helmet of salvation. [24:11]
• 3. The “but God” moment is the hinge of every true conversion. Salvation is not a gradual moral improvement or a self-help project; it is a resurrection from death to life, accomplished solely by God’s mercy and love. This radical intervention gives us new desires, new identity, and new purpose, all rooted in Christ’s finished work. [31:38]
• 4. Being made alive in Christ is not the end, but the beginning of a new life marked by transformation and mission. God not only raises us up but seats us with Him, giving us dignity, belonging, and a share in His purposes. Our lives become living testimonies of His grace, and our transformation is meant to be visible to those around us. [38:43]
• 5. Every day is filled with divine appointments—good works that God has prepared in advance for us. Our task is not to manufacture opportunities, but to walk faithfully into the ones God has already set before us. Whether it’s a conversation at the grocery store, a new friendship at school, or a moment of service, God is orchestrating these encounters for His glory and the advance of the gospel. [44:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:14] - Nearer My God to Thee (Opening Song)
• [08:00] - The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
• [09:30] - Preparing for Battle: The Armor of God
• [11:59] - Paul’s Context and the Source of Strength
• [13:54] - Our True Enemy: Not Flesh and Blood
• [15:10] - The Helmet of Salvation
• [16:25] - What Is Salvation? (Ephesians 2)
• [20:16] - Dead Men Walking: The Human Condition
• [24:11] - The World’s Wisdom vs. God’s Wisdom
• [26:40] - Following Satan and the Deception of Goodness
• [31:38] - The “But God” Moment
• [34:50] - Raised Up and Given New Desires
• [38:43] - Seated with Christ: Our New Identity
• [41:20] - Saved for Good Works
• [44:37] - Divine Appointments and Everyday Mission
• [50:31] - Response Song: Oh Great God
• [54:02] - Missions Focus: Reaching the Deaf Community
• [57:49] - Announcements and Next Steps
• [62:31] - Closing Song: May the People Praise You

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV) — 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what is the spiritual condition of people before they come to Christ? What are the three influences that shape their lives?
2. In Ephesians 2:4-6, what does God do for those who are spiritually dead? What is the turning point in these verses?
3. What does it mean that we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (v.10)?
4. The sermon described “dead men walking” as people who look alive on the outside but are spiritually dead. What are some outward signs that might make it hard to recognize spiritual deadness? [[20:16]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The passage says we were “dead in our trespasses and sins.” What does spiritual deadness look like in everyday life, and why is it so hard to recognize in ourselves or others? [[20:16]]
2. The sermon talked about the “world, the flesh, and the devil” as active influences. How do these three show up in the choices and values of people today? [[24:11]]
3. The phrase “But God” marks a huge shift in the passage. Why is it important to see salvation as God’s work and not our own achievement? [[31:38]]
4. Ephesians 2:10 says God has prepared good works for us to do. How does knowing this change the way we look at our daily routines and “random” encounters? [[44:37]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that spiritual deadness is the default human condition, even for people who seem moral or successful. How does this truth affect the way you view your friends, coworkers, or family members who don’t know Christ? Does it change how you pray for them or interact with them? [[20:16]]
2. The “world’s wisdom” often sounds appealing but is opposed to the gospel. Can you think of a piece of advice or a cultural value you’ve heard recently that sounds good but actually goes against what Jesus teaches? How do you guard your mind against these influences? [[24:11]]
3. The “but God” moment is when God intervenes and brings someone from death to life. Have you experienced a “but God” moment in your own life? If so, what changed for you? If not, what questions or doubts do you still have about this? [[31:38]]
4. The sermon said that being made alive in Christ is just the beginning, not the end. In what ways have you seen God give you new desires or a new sense of purpose since coming to faith? [[34:50]]
5. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, created for good works. What is one “good work” you sense God has prepared for you in this season? How can you step into it this week? [[41:20]]
6. The pastor encouraged us to see every day as filled with “divine appointments.” Think about your schedule this week—where might God be giving you opportunities to serve, encourage, or share your faith? How can you be more aware and ready for these moments? [[44:37]]
7. The helmet of salvation is meant to guard our minds and hearts. Is there a specific area where you feel under spiritual attack or discouraged? What would it look like to “put on the helmet of salvation” in that situation? [[15:10]]