Ranger Drive
The next chapter of Brace Barber’s “No Excuse Leadership” follows Ranger Mark Chandler. The picture I am getting from these chapters is that these guys are being taken to the ultimate breaking points for a reason. They must be able to keep it together in the toughest of times for the good of all those under their command carrying out the mission.
When on a mission any ranger can be called upon to take command and continue to lead the group to complete the mission. Mark Chandler eventually will become a doctor and while doing his training as an intern he will hear talk of the extreme pressure the interns are under, sometimes going 24 hours without sleep. He laughs on the inside as he compares his ranger training to the difficulties of fulfilling the internship; yet he sees how making it through his ranger training prepared him to make it through the internship. Yes, even though you might be tired and overwhelmed you must keep a clear head because the life of this patient is in your hands.
The attitude of completing the mission no matter how difficult it seems is a must.
What does he remember about ranger training? Being constantly hungry and tired for 60 days. A quote: “Since we were already weak, it took emotional strength to carry us through. Mental toughness ultimately became more important than physical strength, and the amount that was needed in order to get through the next 55 days was staggering.” This was after the first week of physical training that was designed to take you to your physical limit.
Talking with his fellow interns years after going through the ranger training he recapped the amount of sleep he got over those 61 days. While in the field only 2 or 3 hours at most. More that four hours when traveling from one location to another for a different training course.
Much of the movement was at night, and at anytime you could be called on to be leader, so you had to always be ready.
I had read the chapter and was formulating how I would preach it when we went to Chrisian’s basketball game.
There it was a back and forth game that would go into overtime after some emotional swings that was taking everything out of both teams. In the end what is needed is a mental toughness that can see the thing through.
Text: Eph 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness 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.
I. Jesus Tempted
Mathew, Mark and Luke all talk about Satan tempting and challenging Jesus in the wilderness after going 40 days without eating.
Physically He is almost dead, yet he has to mentally and emotionally duel with the “father of lies”. Joan was talking about the difference between truth and honesty. The devil was using the truth of scripture to dishonestly divert Jesus from His mission.
We see this in all of the gospels. He must go to Jerusalem and complete the mission. He did!
II. Our Text
Our text talks of battle, wrestling, one on one combat with demonic forces, enduring the wiles or psychological attacks of the devil. There will be moments where, like our ranger, like Jesus in the wilderness, that we will be taken to our limits. The admonition stand!
1 Peter 3:13-17 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit
I am thinking about Chrisian’s family’s reaction to his association with our church. I remember my early days of personally knocking on every Sparta door to hear disparaging reports, the hush in Coulterville school when I said I pastored the Potter’s House church.
Nothing comes easy, the devil and his forces fight us every step of the way. The joy of having people come up to me and talk about the night and day difference in Tevin once he got saved. Is it worth it? Is that the mission?
In the midst of being slandered by people I must make myself “always ready” to give a defense of the gospel.
This is our calling, this is the church’s calling, this is the will of God; “that none should perish, but all come to repentance and be saved.”
III. What Matters
Our ranger described the difficulty in taking a group of starving, sleep deprived men into the night to accomplish a mission. The leader would have to be able to communicate the mission to them and allow them the space to accomplish their part in the mission.
Jesus has communicated the mission.
Each gospel and Acts have the mission stated. Here is Luke’s: Luke 24:46-49 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
The verses fitted to our fellowship: 2 Tim 2:1-4 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Conclusion
Our ranger explained mission this way to his men: “Well, remember what the mission is and remember what my intent is, and use your judgment.”
Paul is encouraging Timothy to complete the mission as he prepares to join Jesus in heaven.
2 Tim 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Let’s accomplish our part in the mission!