Faith-Rest Life & Walking By the Spirit

11-05-25 Faith-Rest Life and Walking by the Spirit — 

High-Detail Theological Outline (Strictly Chronological Flow)

Opening Housekeeping and Orientation

Recording and pacing

 “I got the recording going… don’t want too much dead space.”

Warm greeting and orientation to a “new doctrine, new direction.”

Statement of scope

 “It’s going to be a while… through the upcoming year… we’re just scratching the surface tonight.”

Focus: The believer’s spiritual walk, beginning with key texts and building progressively over several weeks.

Opening Protocol: Rebound and Preparedness for Study

Silent prayer invoked.

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

 Quoted: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Doctrinal point: Confession of known sin restores fellowship with God the Holy Spirit (rebound) and results in the filling of the Spirit.

Application: Rebound is essential prior to study so the believer is filled with the Spirit.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

 Paraphrase/quote: “Cast all your anxiety/care on Him.”

Application: Cast anxieties and cares upon the Lord prior to receiving the Word; prepare mentally and spiritually to hear and apply truth.

Opening Prayer

Thanksgiving for God’s mercy, grace, and plan.

Petition for the Spirit to open hearts, for strength to teach with authority and grace, and for blessing on the service in Jesus’ name.

Direction for the Upcoming Study Series

Instruction: Turn to Numbers 13.

Series emphasis before predestination/pre-designed plan of God (PPG/PDPP): focus on “walking.”

 Common phrases: “walk in the Spirit,” “walk in love,” etc.

Analogy distinguishing filling vs. walking in the Spirit

 Car analogy:

  Filling of the Spirit = the car filled with gas and engine started.

Walking in the Spirit = driving/operating the car.

Doctrinal point: Being filled with the Spirit does not automatically mean one is walking in the Spirit.

Key claim: Walking in the Spirit is synonymous with executing the pre-designed plan of God (PPG).

Importance of original languages (Greek) for “walk”

 Plan: Examine five Greek words for “walk” in the NT over the next weeks.

Note: In Galatians, within nine verses, Paul uses “walk” twice with two different Greek words; the original signals distinct nuances.

Doctrinal emphasis: The Spirit inspired different Greek terms for precise meanings; Greek is essential to avoid flattening distinct concepts in English.

The Faith-Rest Life as a Non-Optional Core

Terminology: The faith-rest life (also “faith-rest drill”).

 Teacher’s stance: Treats “faith-rest life” as the synonym and operating base for executing the plan of God; there is “no way” to fulfill calling without it.

Warning: Deviating from faith-rest life leads to exiting the pre-designed plan of God.

Sin complexes to monitor:

 Arrogance complex of sins.

Emotional complex of sins.

Mental discipline emphasis

 “Checkup from the neck up”: Constantly evaluate thought life and bring thoughts into captivity.

Satan’s tactic: Subtle mental attacks rather than overt temptations for Word-oriented believers.

“Secret agent” metaphor: The sin nature is leveraged by Satan to pull believers from the faith-rest life and thus from the plan of God.

Operational Arenas: Only Three Systems (No Neutrality)

Systems:

 Cosmic One (Satan’s arrogance system).

Cosmic Two (Satan’s antagonism system).

The pre-designed plan of God (PPG).

Doctrinal point: There is no fourth/neutral system. Atheists or those claiming neutrality still function within Satan’s cosmic system (Cosmic 1 or 2), whether they know it or not.

Application: You are either operating in PPG or in the cosmic system at any given time.

Scripture Exposition: Numbers 13:25–28

Context: The spies return after 40 days; report to Moses, Aaron, and the congregation at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran; bring fruit of the land.

v. 27: “It certainly does flow with milk and honey… this is its fruit.”

 Doctrinal point: God’s promise concerning the land was true; objective confirmation.

v. 28: “Nevertheless, the people… are strong; cities are fortified and very large; we saw the descendants of Anak there.”

 Emphasis: The pivotal “nevertheless.” Shift from acknowledging blessing to focusing on obstacles.

Pastoral-Theological Reflection on the Exodus Generation and “Giants”

Personal study note: Ongoing study of the Exodus generation; message connects with an upcoming message dated November 16 (mentioned as preparation context).

Analogy of initial deliverance and emotional reaction:

 Many experience emotional uplift at conversion or restoration; emotion is not the basis of salvation, but it can accompany deliverance.

Application to Israel:

 Delivered from slavery; promised a land; initial excitement likely; then confronted with giants and fortified cities, which shocked and tested them.

Evidence of negative volition/unbelief:

 Reactions: desire to die in Egypt, to stone Moses, to go back; claims God brought them out “to kill us” or “pluck our eyes out” (alluding to Numbers 14).

Ten spies’ negative report vs. two faithful spies’ perspective (Caleb and Joshua saw the same data but responded in faith).

Doctrine for Church-Age Believers: Giants as Tests of Faith-Rest

Not physical giants/walls for us, but fortifications of the kingdom of darkness; our battlefield is the mind.

Giants were designed to expose Israel’s unbelief; likewise, our pressures expose whether we will operate in faith-rest.

Application: It is easy to “trust” during an uplifting service; real testing is in the routines of life.

Necessity: To have the “promised land” (not heaven, but the experiential pre-designed plan for our lives), believers must face and see giants defeated.

Means: Giants are not defeated by human power but by God’s power when we follow divine procedure.

Procedure emphasis: God’s plan requires accurate procedure; He is not about sloppiness. Effective execution of PPG demands precise, biblical methodology.

Emotional revolt and missing the point of the giants

 Observation: Upon seeing giants, Israel launched into “emotional revolt of the soul,” concluding “we were like grasshoppers” (cf. Num 13:33), thereby missing God’s purpose in the test.

Application: Our troubles are designed to trigger faith-rest, not panic or self-reliance.

Personal Boundaries Regarding PPG: Mind Your Own Business

Doctrinal counsel: You cannot know God’s specific pre-designed plan for someone else; only your own PPG concerns you.

Attribution: Pastor R. B. Thieme Jr. taught that one of the greatest virtues is the ability to mind your own business.

 Style note: He was blunt/direct; this helped emphasize the point.

Warning: Church culture can become a breeding ground for intrusiveness—policing others, unrealistic expectations, gossip.

Divine discipline warning: Being in others’ business can take one out of the plan of God and under discipline.

Application: Focus on your own spiritual advance. God will fulfill His will in you independent of others’ choices; your PPG depends on you, the Holy Spirit, and the Word—not on others’ performance.

Influence: Pastor Bob’s studies reinforced this focus over the past year and a half.

Primary Text Introduced: 1 John 1:7

Quoted and expounded: “But if we walk in the light, as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Fulfillment of walking in the light expressed in two dimensions:

 Horizontal fellowship

  True fellowship is only possible with believers who are also walking in the light.

Clarification: This does not mean casting non-believers or carnal believers out of your life; rather, understand that true, like-minded fellowship requires agreement (“Two people can’t walk together unless they’re in agreement.” Allusion to Amos 3:3).

Vertical fellowship

 Phrase explained: “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” refers to the maintenance of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit.

Anticipation of 1 John 1:9: confession restores and maintains fellowship with God.

1 John 1:9 Restated (Mechanic for Fellowship)

Doctrinal point: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Function: The mechanic for restoring vertical fellowship and cleansing from both known sins and “all unrighteousness.”

Challenge of Walking in the Light: Romans 6:4

Text: “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”

Core challenge: “Walk in newness of life.”

Definition:

 Consistently utilize the divine assets God provides to the believer in Christ—explicitly includes reliance on the power of God the Holy Spirit.

Repetition for emphasis: walking in newness = sustained use of divine assets, especially the Spirit’s power.

Identity reminder and refamiliarization

 “You are a new creation in Christ” (teacher cites Corinthians; doctrinally refers to 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Supporting linkage: “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh” (allusion to Galatians 5:16).

Contrast: Human Effort vs. Divine Procedure (Numbers 14 Allusion)

Problem described: New believers try to “clean up” life in their own power, failing to adjust to the justice of God and the proper procedure.

Illustration: Israel’s presumption (Numbers 14 context)

 Moses warned: “Don’t go. The ark’s not going with you. God’s not going with you.”

Result: Attempting to conquer in their own power led to “miserable” failure.

Application: Any attempt to live the Christian life in the flesh will fail every time.

Positive alternative:

 Start doing things God’s way—walk in the Spirit.

Operate in the pre-designed plan of God (PPOG) for your life.

Result: Divine miracles, capacity for blessing, spiritual growth toward maturity.

Spiritual Adulthood Framework Preview

Three stages of spiritual adulthood:

 Spiritual Self-Esteem (SSE)

Spiritual Autonomy (SA)

Spiritual Maturity (SM)

Escrow blessings:

 Reaching these stages is the condition under which escrow blessings are released.

Relation of Walking to the Faith-Rest Life: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Text: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Clarification:

 “Sight” = human viewpoint (natural realm evaluation), not merely physical seeing.

Faith = divine viewpoint—trusting God’s plan and promises.

Creation Analogy and Providence

Creation analogy:

 God equips each creature according to purpose (e.g., eagle’s talons, soaring, silent approach).

Doctrinal inference: If we are a “new spiritual species” in Christ, God provides everything needed for that life; He will not abandon us without provision.

Israel and the giants (Canaan context):

 God knew about the giants; His plan accounted for them.

Human desire for a problem-free “margarita on the beach” life is unrealistic.

Life reality:

 Problems are inevitable whether you walk with God or not.

Wisdom: Choose God’s way—then you have hope of overcoming.

Personal Testimony and Application

Past struggle and restoration:

 Reference to Butler Hospital; people thought the teacher shouldn’t be there—“they were right.”

Needed: “Get back on track with God.”

Outcome: God restored life; overcoming came from returning to God, not psychiatry or medicine.

Upcoming message on the 16th (explicit date mentioned: November 16)

 Intended audience: Family, friends, and acquaintances over 20–25 years who witnessed struggles.

Core message: “God has done this… not psychiatry… not medicine… God restored my life.”

Universal principle: “God is not a respecter of persons”—what God is doing for one, He can do for any member of the human race.

Ministry aim: Communicate effectively from God’s Word so others can receive the same divine solutions.

Transition to “Walking” Doctrine Proper: Colossians 2:6

Scripture: Colossians 2:6

 Quote: “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”

Doctrinal point: Spiritual walking is the specific procedure and policy for the church-age believer to execute the pre-designed plan of God.

Terminology: Walking is “the methodology of the Christian life.”

Power emphasis: Executing the plan of God requires spiritual energy; highlight source and function of divine power.

Mode: “As you received… so walk” indicates faith.

 Faith defined: A non-meritorious system of perception; the merit resides in the object, not in the subject.

Rationale: Faith allows reception of truth based on the merit of Christ/the Word, not human effort.

Salvation and Faith Mechanics: Ephesians 2:8–9

Quote: “For by grace are you saved through faith… not of yourselves… not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Doctrinal link: Supports the non-meritorious nature of faith.

Post-salvation object: The Word of God becomes the object of faith for growth and walking.

Command to Walk as Light: Positional and Experiential Distinction — Ephesians 5:8

Quote: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Doctrinal analysis:

 “Once darkness”: Past positional status in Adam (spiritual death).

“Now… light in the Lord”: Current positional truth in Christ (spiritual life).

Command: “Walk as children of light” = experiential sanctification imperative.

 Point: Positional truth does not automatically translate into correct daily walk; it must be chosen and executed.

Terminology: “Walk in the light,” “walk in love,” etc., function as biblical shorthand for executing God’s will, plan, and purpose in the church age.

Grammar note: Present tense “walk” indicates continuous, steady action; walk, not run.

Framing the Precedents for the Pre-Designed Plan of God

Note: The next weeks will “set the stage” for the PPG doctrine via the concept of walking.

Upcoming Scripture mentioned: 1 John 2:6

 Anticipated focus: Precedent-setting Christological standard for walking (implied by citation).

Transitional remark:

 “I don’t want to go to that verse yet” (before moving to 1 John 2:6), marking deliberate pacing and setup for next session’s continuation.

Opening Text and Theme on Christ’s Precedent: 1 John 2:6

Quote: “The one who says that he remains in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

 Identification: “This is obviously talking about Jesus.”

Emphasis: Continuous obligation to imitate Christ’s walk.

Doctrinal point: The precedent for the believer’s walk is the Lord Jesus Christ, not Moses, Abraham, or Isaiah.

Dispensation focus: Study the walk of Jesus Christ during the dispensation of the Hypostatic Union.

Christ as the Model in the Hypostatic Union

Christ’s person: 100% God and 100% man.

Doctrine of Kenosis: In His earthly ministry, Jesus temporarily suspended the independent use of His divine omnipotence.

 Clarification: He operated fully as a man while remaining undiminished deity and true humanity in one person forever.

Mode of operation:

 Jesus operated in the power of God the Holy Spirit and lived in the pre-designed plan of God (PPOG).

Model for imitation: We are to look at how Jesus lived in His humanity.

 He was always filled with the Spirit (never lost the filling because He never sinned).

He used divine power only when it was part of the Father’s will and plan.

He executed the pre-designed plan for His life.

Correcting a misuse of “Jesus as model”

 Warning: Some believers imitate Jesus by attempting miraculous works (healing the sick, raising the dead, miracles/signs/wonders) and align with certain denominations that emphasize this.

Clarification: That is not what is meant by using Christ as the model.

 Focus on His humanity, dependence on the Spirit, and execution of the Father’s plan—not reproducing His messianic signs.

Distinction Between Christ’s Unique Mission and Ours

Christ’s unique work: We are not going to the cross to die for the sins of humanity.

Shared provision:

 The same power available to the humanity of Christ (God the Holy Spirit) is available to every Church-Age believer.

Doctrinal note: This availability is unprecedented in prior dispensations and belongs to the “mystery doctrine of the Church-Age.”

Contrast: Moses, Abraham, and Old Testament saints did not have what every Church-Age believer now possesses.

Power for Walking: Galatians 5:16

Text: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Clarification of categories:

 Precedence: Jesus Christ.

Power for walking in the light: The Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16).

Doctrinal assertion:

 The power of the Christian way of life comes from utilizing the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit.

Many believers fail by attacking the flesh directly; victory is not by fighting the flesh but by walking by means of the Spirit.

Being filled with and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit guarantees victory over the desires of the flesh.

Pastoral/Application: Why Many Believers Struggle Early On

Reasons for common mistakes:

 Failure to get into a Bible-teaching church or to participate in doctrinal teaching.

Well-meaning but misguided counsel that prescribes behaviors (do this, don’t do that) before learning how to operate in God’s plan.

Reference to another pastor’s phrasing:

 “Hustling around the church for God” (attribution: “that’s the way Pastor Bob puts it”).

Example legalisms/moralism pressures:

 “You’ve got to serve, let your light shine.”

“You can’t do that anymore; you’re a Christian… you can’t talk like that… dress like that… wear this… do that.”

Theological critique:

 Attempting to tackle life-change without learning the pre-designed plan of God, the faith-rest drill, and problem-solving devices leads to failure.

Some prescriptions may be true, but the power source is wrong—cannot overcome the flesh in human strength.

Illustration: Addiction and the Limits of Human Strength

Analogy: Quitting smoking or carbohydrates.

 Physiological note: Withdrawal often peaks by the third day.

For nicotine: Takes about 10 days to clear from the system; physical withdrawals stop after that, but day three is the worst.

Application to sanctification:

 People try to “clean up the old man” by their own strength; some succeed short-term in morality, but often “explode” later.

Familiar lament: “I just can’t live the Christian life. It’s too hard.” Pastoral response: “That’s right. You can’t.” That admission can be the true beginning.

Key Spiritual Turning Point

God is waiting for us to say, “I can’t overcome this… I can’t fight this battle… These giants are too big.”

Personal testimony: “For me, it took 20 years—but it doesn’t have to take that long.” The sooner we admit inability, the better.

Faith-direction: Move from despair to dependence—acknowledge inability and trust God to act.

Illustration: The Ten Spies vs. Caleb and Joshua

Theological nuance:

 The ten spies were honest about the human impossibility—“we were like grasshoppers,” the walled cities were unattainable.

Citation of Deuteronomy (conceptual): God would have them dispossess “nations greater and mightier than you.”

Exegetical point:

 The ten were close to an important realization: in human strength, no way forward; God would have to come through.

Failure point: They stopped at panic and complaint—grumbling against God and Moses, wishing to return to Egypt—instead of trusting God to fight for them.

Application:

 God brings us to impossible points so He can fight for us.

We must trust God, follow His procedures, and “do things with accuracy.”

Purpose of Walking: 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Scripture: “So that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

Doctrinal statement:

 Purpose: Glorify God in the Church Age; live worthy of our high calling and election, leading to entering the kingdom and glory with fantastic blessings.

God desires to bless us; He has already placed blessings in escrow for us before we were here.

Doctrine of Escrow Blessings vs. Logistical Grace

God’s intention:

 “Whom He foreknew, He predestined”—He has a predesigned plan including ordained blessings; it stands to reason He wants us to have them.

Pastoral reality:

 Many believers never receive their escrow blessings and mistake logistical grace for those blessings.

Definition and example of logistical grace:

 God’s faithful provision of needs irrespective of spiritual maturity.

Personal testimony:

 For 20 years while not walking with God, the speaker received financial and temporal provisions—job, house—God’s mercy and logistical blessing, not escrow blessings.

Mental health anecdote: In a day program at a mental hospital (Butler Hospital), others questioned his presence due to outward stability (family, job), yet he was suffering inwardly. God still met needs.

Scriptural principles alluded:

 Philippians 4:19 (principle): “My God shall supply all your needs.”

Psalm 37:25 (principle): “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Clarification:

 Logistical grace is tailored to each believer; it guarantees needs, not the extraordinary “escrow blessings.”

Escrow blessings characterized:

 God wants to do “exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think” for mature believers.

Desire for blessing is not arrogance; God wants us to want what He ordained.

Escrow metaphor explained:

 Funds/blessings are held until stipulated conditions are met (real estate escrow analogy).

They are set aside, to be released at the right time under the right conditions.

Practical question: How do we receive the escrow blessings?

 Pastoral illustration:

  If told “Come after church; I have a million dollars for you,” the immediate practical question is, “How do we receive it? Check? Cash?”

Likewise, with God: How do we get the blessings He ordained?

Study aim:

 The pre-designed plan of God (PPOG) explains the how.

Short answer: Make an adjustment.

 Soteriology parallel: Salvation is an adjustment to the justice of God.

Sanctification/blessing parallel: Receiving escrow blessings requires an adjustment to the justice of God.

Doctrinal precision:

 When you align yourself with the justice of God—operating in the way God’s justice is free to bless—then blessing is released.

There is a divinely revealed procedure; it can be learned.

The present study will detail that procedure within the PPOG framework (including faith-rest drill and problem-solving devices previously mentioned).

Relation of Walking to Executing God’s Plan: Ephesians 2:10

Text: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Notes:

 “His workmanship”: At salvation we became a new creation, a new spiritual species.

“Good works” = agathos (Greek)

 Meaning: Good of intrinsic value; divine-good achievements.

Not human good, not morality, not fleshly self-improvement.

Principle: Anything an unbeliever can perform is not the spiritual way of life; spirituality goes beyond morality.

Illustration: Personal past moral cleanup without God

 Quitting alcohol and smoking “cold turkey,” turning to wrestling, yet not returning to God—accomplished in human flesh, not divine power.

Application: Many moral unbelievers exist; morality alone is not the Christian life and does not please God.

Warning against checklist morality (e.g., “no curse words,” “no X-rated movies”) as a substitute for spiritual life.

Translation note:

 “Which God has prepared in advance that we should be walking by means of them” conveys ongoing lifestyle by divine means.

Doctrinal synthesis:

 God has a pre-designed portfolio of divine good for each believer to accomplish.

We were created as a new spiritual species to walk in these pre-designed divine-good achievements.

Aim: Become spiritual champions through the use of the problem-solving devices.

Divine Order of the Spiritual Walk: Colossians 1:9–10

Purpose: “Divine order—functional principles of the spiritual walk and the divine order of how this happens.”

Text (summarized with key phrases):

 “We… have not ceased praying for you… asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Prayer model and personal practice:

 Consistent prayer: “God, lead and guide them in the path for their lives.”

Confidence: If God leads them to execute His plan, blessings follow; often no need to pray beyond that core request.

Additional prayer: “Father, come against any obstacles and distractions that would take them away from the plan of God.”

Prerequisite: Intake of metabolized doctrine (Col 1:9 focus)

 Greek word study:

  “Filled with the knowledge” = epignosis (teacher pronunciation: epinosis), not mere gnōsis.

Distinction:

 Gnosis (mere academic knowledge) “puffs up” and is of no value if not believed.

Epignosis = knowledge believed, metabolized—transferred “from the left lobe to the right lobe” (doctrinal metaphor for comprehension to belief/application).

To be filled with epignosis:

 Must be “in the light,” filled with the Spirit, in fellowship.

Only the Spirit teaches; “the natural man cannot understand the things of God; they are foolishness to him” (allusion to 1 Corinthians 2:14).

Result of doctrine:

 “In all spiritual wisdom and understanding”—competency to operate in the spiritual realm resulting from metabolized doctrine.

Execution: The action of walking (Colossians 1:10a)

 “So that you walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.”

Point of separation:

 Mature believer vs. immature/legalistic believer.

One cannot walk worthily without metabolized doctrine and motivation from spiritual wisdom.

Moralism, religiosity, overt human love are not substitutes for a life empowered by metabolized doctrine.

Principle:

 “A supernatural life, supernatural plan, supernatural conduct requires supernatural power.”

Only God’s omnipotence—accessed through spiritual wisdom and understanding—can sustain a worthy walk.

Anticipation of PPOG doctrine:

 God is perfect; therefore His plan is perfect.

The problem is our imperfection (sin nature).

Application:

 Spend maximum time in the PPOG, not in Cosmic 1 or Cosmic 2.

Stay filled with the Spirit; keep short accounts with God.

Don’t let sins pile up; avoid guilt/condemnation spirals.

If you fail: Confess specifically, regain fellowship, regardless of feelings—remember 2 Corinthians 5:7, we walk by faith, not by sight.

Danger: Prolonged carnality invites satanic lies—“You can’t live this life… I’ll give you the kingdoms… just bow down” (allusion to Satan’s temptation of Christ). The devil’s “easy path” leads to destruction.

Production: Result of a worthy walk (Colossians 1:10b)

 “To please Him in all respects”:

  Not sinless perfection; rather, consistent confession, restoration, and continuation in divine wisdom.

“Bearing fruit in every good work”:

 Again agathos = intrinsic value, divine-good achievements by the Spirit’s power.

Ongoing growth: “Increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10c)

 Clarification of repetition:

  Though Paul already prayed for them to be “filled with knowledge,” he adds “increasing in the knowledge of God” to show the dynamic, ongoing process.

Spiritual life = continual growth; you never “arrive” or have “enough” doctrine.

Personal discipline example:

 Every Wednesday night after teaching, the teacher listens to an hour study of “Pastor Bob” to continue intake—illustrating relentless pursuit of doctrine despite already teaching for an hour.

Ongoing Mechanics Summary (As Delivered)

Concept of walking: Executing God’s plan.

Precedence of walking: The Lord Jesus Christ.

Power for walking: God the Holy Spirit.

Purpose of walking: To glorify God.

Fulfillment of walking: Fellowship with God and other believers.

Challenge of walking: Live in newness of life.

Relation of walking: Related to faith and God’s pre-designed plan.

Transitional summary of tonight’s segment and scope:

 “This is not the end… this is where 21 slides into 64… additional study after this.”

Plan: Three to four weeks on “walking,” then into the Pre-Designed Plan of God (PPOG).

Approach: Setting the stage; learning the mechanics; “We have to learn how to walk.”

Exhortation on Ongoing Advance

Opening exhortation: The believer’s life is never “arrived”

 “No, it’s not. You’ve never arrived. It’s never good enough.”

Ongoing spiritual advance is mandatory: “You have to constantly, constantly be progressing, gaining momentum. Never a day off.”

Pastoral sensitivity: Missing a day or being hindered by life is not grounds for condemnation.

Contrast: “Sunday-Only” Christians vs. Daily Intake

Description: Sunday Christians only take in the Word during the Sunday sermon; the rest of the week is empty.

Question and answer:

 “How can you ever expect to be able to execute the plan that God has for your life with that?” Answer: You can’t.

Theological reason: God’s design for the spiritual life is not weekly minimal intake.

 “It doesn’t matter who you are… God didn’t design it for that way.”

Our thoughts don’t alter divine design: “It doesn’t matter what even your thoughts are on the subject.”

Conclusion: That’s not the life that God designed.

Fundamental decision: Believe and trust the Word or not

 “We’re either going to believe what the Word of God says, or we’re going to just trust it, or we’re not.”

Evidence principle: If we do not believe/trust, our life and actions will reflect it.

Doctrine of the Prepared Pastor-Teacher: Ephesians 4:11–12

Transition to doctrine of the prepared pastor-teacher

 Plan to end this session now and pick up with Ephesians 4:11–12 next.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11–12 (quoted in essence and applied)

 “He gave some apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers for the equipping of the saints.”

Theological points:

 What I am doing (and “people like me, people like Joe”) is part of the divine provision to teach and equip the saints.

You cannot read the Bible “like a novel” and expect to grow into doctrinal stability and execution.

“Lone Ranger Christianity” is outside God’s design.

Divine design for edification:

 God provides gifted men to research, organize, and communicate doctrine.

The local and extended ministry contexts: Tuesday nights, Friday nights (Neville teaching), Sundays, and other teaching venues.

Preparedness: “God has a person that is prepared, that has studied, that God has given a gift to be able to search these things out and to be able to give these things out.”

Means of Intake and Submission to a Doctrinal Ministry

Multiple media for intake:

 “You can do it by tapes.” Most of the doctrine the speaker takes in (apart from Sunday attendance) is recorded messages from Pastor Bob.

Necessity of a gifted communicator:

 “You have to have a person that is able and has the gift and God has designed to be able to give these things out.”

Submission defined practically:

 “Submit under that person’s ministry… how you submit… is you listen to what they’re saying.”

Freedom to evaluate:

 “You don’t have to agree with everything. Sometimes you might not agree with things.”

Pastoral boundary:

 The teacher does not know God’s predesigned plan for each believer’s life; it is not his business.

His job: teach what the Word of God says and distribute doctrine.

Application responsibility rests with the listener: “What you do with it when you leave here… it’s your business.”

Doctrine of Privacy and Freedom (Attribution: Pastor Bob)

Emphasis learned “over the past year and a half”:

 Privacy and freedom are essential in the spiritual life.

No intrusive oversight: “People need to have their privacy… they don’t need to be burdened and bugged and have people butting their nose into their business.”

Freedom to grow:

 Avoid comparison and judgment:

  Example: “I come five nights a week and that other person I only see every couple of weeks.”

Unknowns: You don’t know what others are listening to when not present.

Personal testimony:

 Speaker listens to about 20 hours of studies a week; seen at services midweek and Sunday, but daily doctrinal intake continues outside visible meetings.

Principle:

 Focus on your own predesigned plan.

Give others room, freedom, and privacy to grow.

Focus on God’s plan for your own life.

Session Pacing and Teaching Logistics

Current progress: “We’re going to end here… pick this up.”

Slide progress: “Got to 27 slides, 64.”

Teaching ambition vs. realistic pacing:

 Initially thought 64 slides could be done “in one shot in one hour,” but learned to slow down.

Appreciation for those who helped him pace and structure.

Goal: As long as people are receiving and learning, the pace is right.

Illustration/analogy: Walk vs. run in the spiritual life

 Comment from hearer: “This is a walk, not a marathon.”

Expansion:

 People often run and wear themselves out in life.

Walking is steady, sustainable, “more relaxing.”

Intended effect of teaching: “You’re just thinking, learning”—not exhausted.

Questions and feedback section

 Listener affirmation: There’s “a lot of stuff to work at.”

Clarification of sermon trajectory:

 The speaker will explain the “heavy process” of “the difference.”

Categorization appreciated by hearer:

 “Purpose, the power, the fulfillment, the challenge, the relation, and the execution.”

Future content preview:

 “We’re going to get into the five words for ‘walk’ in the New Testament.”

Greek term introduced: Stoicheō (στοιχέω)

 Definition: “to march,” “to march in place,” “to march in line with something.”

Doctrinal Contribution from Attendee (Attribution: Pastor Bob)

Two-fold structure of God’s plan:

 General plan (common to all believers):

  Corporate disciplines: gather, learn the Word of God, participate in the Lord’s Supper, giving, and other church life basics.

Specific plan (unique to each believer):

 Tied to one’s spiritual gift and unique calling.

Only the person knows their specific plan; others do not.

Agreement and reinforcement by the speaker:

 We all share the general plan (study, intake of the Word).

Specific details remain individual and private.

Closing Transition to Prayer

Invitation: “Did you want to close us in prayer?”

Closing Prayer (Content Summarized In-Order)

Thanksgiving for the opportunity and shared union “in Christ.”

Gratitude for men who study and edify through the Word.

Affection for the Lord Jesus Christ:

 “You always make me increase my love for my wonderful lover, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christ’s faithfulness: “He never leaves me, never forsakes me.”

Walk by faith emphasis:

 “Our walk could [should] be by faith, not by sight.”

Petition: Help us grow daily; as we grow, apply; then grow more.

Protection requests:

 Safe travel home for each one.

Next class: gratitude and petitions for protection and guidance for Jim and for Joe.

Corporate encouragement and comfort.

Conclusion: “Amen.”

Post-Prayer Follow-Up

Note: A woman (expected attendee) did not come.

The speaker prepared printed materials for her on “soul sleep.”

 He brought them on Sunday as well, in case she attended then.

Scripture References in Exact Order Mentioned

1. 1 John 1:9 — Rebound: confession restores fellowship; forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness.

2. 1 Peter 5:7 — Cast all anxiety/care on Him; mental/spiritual preparation for intake.

3. Numbers 13:25–28 — Report on the land; “nevertheless” focus on obstacles; giants noted.

4. 1 John 1:7 — Walk in the light; horizontal/vertical fellowship; cleansing by the blood.

5. 1 John 1:9 (restated) — Confession mechanic for fellowship and cleansing.

6. Romans 6:4 — Walk in newness of life through union with Christ’s death and resurrection.

7. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (alluded as “Corinthians… 1 Corinthians 5 maybe”) — New creation in Christ.

8. Galatians 5:16 (allusion and later explicit) — Walk in/by the Spirit; do not fulfill lust of the flesh.

9. Numbers 14 (narrative allusion) — Presumption without the Ark/Presence; failed attempt in own power.

10. 2 Corinthians 5:7 — Walk by faith, not by sight (sight = human viewpoint).

11. Colossians 2:6 — As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.

12. Ephesians 2:8–9 — By grace through faith; not of works; non-meritorious nature of faith.

13. Ephesians 5:8 — Once darkness, now light in the Lord; walk as children of light.

14. 1 John 2:6 — Walk just as He walked; Christ as precedent in Hypostatic Union.

15. Galatians 5:16 (explicit) — Walk by the Spirit; not carry out the desire of the flesh.

16. Deuteronomy (conceptual allusion) — Dispossess “nations greater and mightier than you.”

17. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 — Walk worthy of God who calls you into His kingdom and glory.

18. Philippians 4:19 (principle) — “My God shall supply all your needs.”

19. Psalm 37:25 (principle) — “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

20. Ephesians 2:10 — His workmanship; created for agathos works prepared beforehand to walk in them.

21. Colossians 1:9–10 — Filled with epignosis; walk worthy; please Him; bear fruit; increase in knowledge.

22. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (allusion) — Natural man cannot understand spiritual things; need the Spirit.

23. Gospel temptation narratives (Luke 4:5–7; Matthew 4:8–10 allusion) — Satan’s offer of the kingdoms; shortcut warning.

24. Ephesians 4:11–12 — Gifted communicators for equipping the saints.

Word Studies and Original Language Notes

“Walk” vocabulary plan:

 Five Greek words in the NT to be studied over the coming weeks.

Note: Galatians uses “walk” twice within nine verses with two different Greek words, indicating distinct nuances.

Stoicheō (στοιχέω)

 Introduced: One of the five NT “walk” terms.

Definition: “To march,” “to march in place,” “to march in line with something.”

Agathos (Ephesians 2:10)

 Meaning: Good of intrinsic (divine) value; divine-good achievements by the Spirit’s power.

Contrast: Not human good or mere morality.

Epignosis (Colossians 1:9–10; teacher pronunciation “epinosis”) vs. Gnosis

 Gnosis: Academic knowledge that “puffs up” and is of no spiritual value if not believed.

Epignosis: Metabolized, believed doctrine—transferred “from the left lobe to the right lobe” (metaphor for comprehension to faith and application).

Doctrinal Points, Applications, Illustrations, and Analogies (Chronological)

Rebound is essential for Spirit-filled study (1 John 1:9).

Cast cares on the Lord before intake (1 Peter 5:7).

Walking vs. filling:

 Car analogy: filling = fuel/ignition; walking = driving/operation.

Being filled does not automatically mean walking; walking is executing PPG.

Only three operational systems: Cosmic 1, Cosmic 2, or PPG—no neutrality.

Numbers 13: Giants test faith; “nevertheless” reveals shift to obstacles.

Emotional uplift may accompany deliverance, but emotion is not the basis.

Israel’s negative volition contrasts with Caleb/Joshua’s faith response.

Our giants are mental/spiritual fortifications; testing proves faith-rest function.

Divine procedure matters; God’s plan requires accuracy.

Emotional revolt (“grasshoppers”) misses divine testing purpose.

Mind your own business in PPG (attribution: R. B. Thieme Jr.); intrusiveness leads to discipline.

1 John 1:7: Walking in light yields horizontal/vertical fellowship; cleansing by Christ’s blood.

Romans 6:4: Walk in newness via divine assets—especially the Spirit’s power.

Numbers 14: Fleshly attempts fail; wait for God’s procedure and power.

Stages of spiritual adulthood (SSE → SA → SM) relate to release of escrow blessings.

2 Corinthians 5:7: Walk by faith (divine viewpoint), not sight (human viewpoint).

Creation analogy (eagle): God equips according to purpose; believers as “new spiritual species” are provided for.

Personal testimony (Butler Hospital): Restoration by returning to God; “God is not a respecter of persons.”

Colossians 2:6: As received by faith, so walk by faith; faith is non-meritorious (object: Christ/Word).

Ephesians 2:8–9: Salvation by grace through faith; post-salvation faith’s object is the Word for growth/walk.

Ephesians 5:8: Positional light mandates experiential walking; present tense = steady continuity.

1 John 2:6: Christ as walking precedent during Hypostatic Union; kenosis—dependence on the Spirit.

Not imitating messianic miracles; imitate His Spirit-dependent humanity and obedience to the Father’s plan.

Galatians 5:16: Walk by the Spirit for victory over the flesh; don’t fight the flesh directly.

Early struggles often due to moralism/legalism without doctrinal procedure (attribution: Pastor Bob’s “hustling around the church for God”).

Addiction analogy: Human strength reform collapses; true beginning is admitting “I can’t.”

Ten spies vs. Caleb/Joshua: Recognize human impossibility but move from panic to faith-rest; follow accurate procedures.

1 Thessalonians 2:12: Purpose—walk worthy; glorify God; fantastic blessings prepared.

Escrow vs. logistical grace: Needs supplied (Phil 4:19; Ps 37:25), but extraordinary blessings await maturity and alignment with divine justice.

Escrow metaphor: Held until conditions met; God wants us to desire what He ordained.

“How to receive”: Adjustment to the justice of God—learn PPOG procedure and operate accurately.

Ephesians 2:10: Agathos works prepared; spirituality exceeds morality; moral unbelievers demonstrate that morality ≠ divine good.

Colossians 1:9–10: Epignosis prerequisite; Spirit-led learning; walk worthy; please Him; bear fruit (agathos); keep increasing.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (alluded): Natural man needs the Spirit to understand spiritual things.

Temptation narratives alluded (Luke 4; Matthew 4): Satanic shortcuts tempt prolonged carnality—reject them.

Ongoing mechanics summary: Concept, Precedence, Power, Purpose, Fulfillment, Challenge, Relation; multi-week plan; learn to walk before advancing.

Exhortation: Never “arrived”; continual advance; no condemnation for occasional missed intake, but weekly-only intake is insufficient.

Ephesians 4:11–12: Gifted communicators equip saints; reject “Lone Ranger Christianity.”

Submission to doctrinal ministry: Listen humbly; freedom to evaluate; pastor teaches, believer applies.

Privacy/freedom (attribution: Pastor Bob): Avoid intrusiveness and comparison; focus on your plan; others may intake elsewhere (speaker listens ~20 hours weekly).

Pace: Walk, don’t run; learn steadily; audience engagement and Q&A; preview five NT “walk” terms; stoicheō introduced.

Attendee contribution (attribution: Pastor Bob): God’s plan—general (for all) and specific (unique to individual gifts); speaker agrees.

Closing prayer: Thanksgiving; love for Christ; walk by faith; growth and application; protection; comfort; Amen.

Post-prayer follow-up: Printed “soul sleep” materials prepared for absent attendee; brought on Sunday as well.

Attributions to Pastors/Teachers

R. B. Thieme Jr.

 Taught: One of the greatest virtues is the ability to mind your own business.

Pastor Bob (Robert McLaughlin implied by context)

 Frequent source of recorded doctrinal studies the speaker listens to weekly (about 20 hours).

Emphasis learned: Privacy and freedom in the spiritual life; twofold plan of God (general and specific).

Phrase cited: “Hustling around the church for God.”

Logistics and Teaching Notes

Multi-week series on “walking,” followed by in-depth study of the Pre-Designed Plan of God (PPOG/PPG).

Greek word study plan: Five NT “walk” terms; stoicheō introduced tonight (“to march,” “to march in line”).

Slide pacing: “Got to 27 slides, 64”; learned to slow down for clarity and absorption.

Date explicitly mentioned: November 16 (upcoming message reference).