Standing Firm In One Spirit

1. Standing Firm In One Spirit • Philip. 1:27-29 whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, • 1 Cor. 10:12 -- So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

8. Part 1 - Principles of War • “Students’ grades are based on the employment of sound doctrinal principles, not on the employment of a specific technique” (Army Ranger Handbook) • “. . . Skills and techniques will improve with time and practice. But if the Ranger has not mastered sound doctrine, there is little or no hope for his success on the battlefield” (Stu Weber)

9. 1. Unity of Command“Who’s in Charge” • Ensures the concentration of every objective under one responsible commander • emphasizes that all efforts should be directed and coordinated toward a common objective • this is best achieved by vesting a single commander with the authority to direct all force employment in pursuit of a common objective

10. Scripture -- Unity of Command • Joshua 5:13-14 -- when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"

11. 2. Objective“Know what you’re trying to do” • demands that all efforts be directed toward the achievement of common goals • All goals should be complementary and clearly articulated

12. Scripture – Objective • Matthew 6:33 -- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. • Philip. 3:10-14 -- I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings . . . I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. • Ephes. 5:25 -- Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

13. 3. Offensive“Be in control” • Act instead of react and dictates the time, place, purpose, scope, intensity, and pace of operations • Success in war is generally attained only while on the offensive

15. Scripture -- Offensive • John 7:6 -- Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. • 1 Tim. 6:12 -- Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

16. 4. Mass“Getting the Job Done” • Concentrating combat power at a decisive time and place to achieve decisive results • Mass is not only the quantity of force used - it is the effect

17. Mass – Why Sumo is better than Karate

18. Scripture -- Mass • 1 Samuel 17:47 -- All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." • Judges 7:3ff -- 32,000 to 10,000 to 300

19. 5. ManeuverSemper Gumby • Action to place the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power • Maneuver forces the enemy to react, allows the exploitation of successful operations and reduces our vulnerabilities • Maneuver allows engagement almost anywhere, from almost any direction.

20. Scripture -- Maneuver • 2 Samuel 5:23-24 -- so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, "Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. • 24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army."

21. 6. Economy of Force“Major on the Majors, Minor on the Minors” • To ensure overwhelming combat power is available, minimal combat power should be devoted to secondary objectives (this requires clearly articulated objectives and priorities) • While suggesting overwhelming force it also recommends against “overkill” • Picture

22. Overkill?

23. Scripture – Economy of Force • 1 Tim. 6:20-21 -- Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith . . .

24. 7. Security“Don’t leave the door open” • Friendly forces and their operations must be protected from enemy action that could provide the enemy with unexpected advantage • Security may be obtained by staying beyond the enemy’s reach • Security embraces not only physical security, but also security of the information medium • Movie

26. Scripture – Security • Neh. 4:16-18 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

27. 8. Surprise“Bang, your dead” • leverages the security principle by attacking at a time, place, or in a manner for which the enemy is not prepared • Picture

28. Catching the enemy unprepared

29. Scripture -- Surprise • 1 Peter 5:8 -- Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. • Jeremiah 14:9 -- Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, O Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!

30. 9. SimplicityK.I.S.S • avoiding unnecessary complexity in organizing, preparing, planning, and conducting military operations • Military operations, especially joint operations, are often complex. Common equipment, a common understanding of Service and joint doctrine, and familiarity with procedures through joint exercises and training can help overcome complexity, but straightforward plans and unambiguous organizational and command relationships are central to reducing it

31. Scripture -- Simplicity • 2 Cor. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (KJV)

32. Principles of War • Unity of Command • Objective • Offensive • Mass • Maneuver • Economy of Force • Security • Surprise • Simplicity • Questions? Which principle have you violated in the past or are you violating right now? What price are you paying because of that (I.E. what battle wound(s) have you sustained for ignoring one of these? What’s the most important one for you to work on ?

33. Break

34. Preparing for the Battle • Training • Mentoring/discipling • Training as a fire team, squad, platoon, company, battalion, brigade, division, corps, army. • Wingman (one another’s) • First Aid, Evacuation Techniques • Knowing the Enemies Strategy • Being Equipped • The Spiritual Armor

35. One Another’s • Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. • Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. • Romans 15:7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

36. Ephesians 4:32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. • Ephesians 5:21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. • Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. • Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily . . . so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

37. Hebrews 10:24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. • James 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. • 1 Peter 4:9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. • 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another

38. Part 3 – Fighting the Battle • Isolate and cut off the battle area • Marriage • Family • Church • Work • Culture • R/R • Medal write-ups and promotions

39. Fighting the Battle • When your wounded • Medics are targeted • Small Caliber weapons do the most damage to a unit • Questions?