Walking by the Spirit & The Pre-Designed Plan of God — Greek Word Studies

Nov 19, 2025 • James Ramieri

11-19-25 Walking by the Spirit and the Pre-Designed Plan of God — Greek Word Studies

Sermon Outline: Walking Biblically, Prayer Models, and Preparation for the Pre-Designed Plan of God

Opening: Silent prayer and orientation

Call to silent prayer to ensure the filling of the Spirit.

Upcoming lessons planned on 1 John 1:9:

Topic: If God has forgiven us, why do we ask for forgiveness?

Acknowledgement of a Christian contingent that believes confession is no longer necessary.

Intent to address this with detailed studies in the near future due to questions from listeners.

Statement on the role of 1 John 1:9 in the filling of the Spirit:

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

Note on the conditional “if” (Greek third class condition concept implied: “maybe we will, maybe we won’t”).

Pastoral prayer:

Thanksgiving for gathering around the Word.

Casting cares upon God.

Petition for the Holy Spirit to open hearts to the truth.

Desire to honor and worship God by studying His Word.

Prayer for movement forward in God’s plan for life.

Request for divine enablement to speak with the authority Scripture deserves and the grace it teaches.

Closing in Jesus’ name.

Transition to study on “walking” and preview of structure

Note: Previous series covered 3 of 5 Greek words for “walk.”

Current focus: Greek verb “poreuomai” (spelled in sermon as “poromai”) was the next planned item; integrated into second half of this session.

Timing:

This week, possibly next week, and maybe the week after will set up entry into the pre-designed plan of God.

Emphasis:

Do not underestimate the “walking” studies—foundational and very important.

The next couple of weeks will be pivotal, like the faith-rest drill series recently taught.

Two prayer models from Paul to frame the approach to spiritual life and walking

Colossians 1:9–10

Context remembered from prior weeks.

Reading:

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it [your salvation], we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask 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.”

Doctrinal point:

There is no other way to walk worthy of the Lord without the knowledge of God’s Word.

Ephesians 1:15–18

Recent study reference: Taught in Ephesians 1 this past Sunday; noted as an excellent chapter.

Reading:

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,

do not cease giving thanks for you while making mention of you in my prayers;

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,

so that you will know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance.”

Doctrinal point:

In both Ephesus and Colossae, Paul prays for believers’ wisdom, understanding, knowledge of God’s will, and capacity to walk worthy.

Application: A biblical prayer model for others

Adopt Paul’s pattern—pray for:

Guidance in God’s plan and the pre-designed plan for their life.

Enlightenment and understanding through the Word.

Rationale: Everything else in life flows from wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in the Word—faith-rest life and the pre-designed plan of God.

Priority:

No substitutes—life must be lived under the filling of the Spirit, maximally.

Keep short accounts with God—confess known sin to return to fellowship.

Take in the Word and apply it consistently.

Pastoral and practical observations about counseling and spiritual consistency

Ministry engagement:

Invitation for contact: Encourages people to reach out (via Samantha, Facebook).

Welcomes questions due to ongoing teaching and testimony.

Common reaction to counsel:

Some seek more complex answers; biblical solution sounds “simple.”

Doctrinal assertion:

The only power system is the filling of the Spirit combined with consistent perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine.

This method truly solves problems; other approaches are inferior.

Adversarial reality:

The kingdom of darkness opposes this belief and consistency.

Problem of inconsistency:

People may try briefly and abandon—lack of faith mixing with the Word.

Without faith, perception is not metabolized; results are not seen.

Transition to “walking”:

Walking must be done precisely and accurately as God outlines.

If God has a plan for you, He wants you to know it.

God has set aside blessings in eternity past and intends believers to receive them.

Many do not receive these blessings because they do not follow God’s procedure for life.

Spiritual adulthood, blessings, and testing

Pathway:

Blessings are received by reaching stages of spiritual adulthood.

Reality:

The path includes testing, adversity, trial, and tribulation; all works together under God’s plan.

Review of the “walking” study structure (slides referenced but not displayed)

Thesis:

At least five distinct Greek verbs related to “walking” in the NT.

English often renders them all as “walking,” obscuring distinct meanings and nuances intended by God the Holy Spirit.

Proper interpretation requires returning to the original Greek.

Greek term 1: Peripateō (περιπατέω)

Breakdown:

Pateō = to walk; peri = around.

“To walk around”; to live; to conduct one’s life—general emphasis on manner of life.

Translation issue illustration:

Galatians 5:16 and 5:25:

Within nine verses, English “walk” appears twice in many translations but represents two different Greek words.

Importance: Distinction matters for accurate exegesis and application (e.g., different nuances—command to walk by the Spirit vs. keep in step/line with the Spirit).

Pastoral example:

Conversation at work highlighting the need to go back to original languages.

Many specific Greek words are used intentionally; missing them can lead to misinterpretation.

This is a cause for taking passages out of context.

Illustration of doctrinal error from neglecting original language and context:

Recent visitor raised the topic of “soul sleep.”

Teacher’s preparation: Carried notes prepared in case of future discussion.

Identification: A Jehovah’s Witness doctrine asserting no conscious existence in heaven before the resurrection; when one dies, one is not conscious until resurrection.

Implicit correction emphasis: Original language and contextual exegesis guard against such errors.

Preview of upcoming content (implied from the flow)

Further Greek “walking” terms to be covered:

Poreuomai (πορεύομαι) referenced as the next verb to study and integrated into the second half of this session/series.

Continued linkage:

Walking studies will lead into the pre-designed plan of God.

Emphasis on faith-rest drill as foundational for living in that plan.

Key Doctrinal and Practical Points (as delivered, in order)

Confession and fellowship:

1 John 1:9 is central for restoring the filling of the Spirit.

The “if” underscores responsibility and the conditional nature of experiential forgiveness and cleansing.

Prayer priorities:

Pray for wisdom, revelation, and knowledge (Ephesians 1:15–18).

Pray for knowledge of God’s will and walking worthy (Colossians 1:9–10).

This model should be the primary pattern unless specific needs are known.

The only power system:

Filling of the Spirit + consistent perception, metabolization, and application of Bible doctrine.

Faith must mix with the Word to produce usable doctrine and visible results.

God’s plan and blessings:

God’s pre-designed plan is knowable.

Blessings set aside in eternity past are intended for believers, but received through the procedure God has outlined, including spiritual growth.

Growth includes testing, adversity, trial, and tribulation.

Original languages and precise exegesis:

“Walking” has multiple Greek verbs with distinct meanings; peripateō = general conduct of life.

Example: Galatians 5:16 vs. 5:25 use different Greek terms—precision prevents misinterpretation.

Doctrinal errors (e.g., soul sleep) often arise from neglecting original language and context.

Scripture References in Exact Order Mentioned (so far)

1 John 1:9 — Confession for forgiveness and cleansing; conditional “if.”

Colossians 1:9–10 — Prayer for knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding; walking worthy; pleasing Him; bearing fruit; increasing in knowledge.

Ephesians 1:15–18 — Prayer of thanksgiving; petition for wisdom and revelation; enlightened hearts; knowledge of hope of His calling and riches of His inheritance.

Galatians 5:16 — “Walk by the Spirit” (noted as one Greek term distinct from v.25).

Galatians 5:25 — “Keep in step with the Spirit”/“walk” (different Greek term than v.16).

Word Studies and Original Language Notes (so far)

1 John 1:9:

Emphasis on the conditional “if” (Greek third-class conditional sense implied by teacher), underscoring volitional confession for experiential cleansing and restored fellowship/filling.

Peripateō (περιπατέω):

Etymology: peri = around; pateō = to walk.

Meaning: To walk around; live; conduct one’s life—general manner of life.

Distinct “walk” terms in Galatians 5:

Galatians 5:16: “walk by the Spirit” uses one verb.

Galatians 5:25: “walk” uses a different verb (teacher’s point: English masks nuance; Greek restores intended distinction).

Poreuomai (πορεύομαι):

Mentioned as the next verb to be covered; integrated into later sessions.

Illustrations, Analogies, and Pastoral Notes (so far)

Counseling experience:

People often want more complex solutions; the biblical solution seems “too simple.”

Emphasis that God’s ordained power system truly solves problems when applied consistently by faith.

Ministry openness:

Encourages contact via phone and Facebook; openness to questions; trusting God to guide outreach.

Example of doctrinal deviation:

“Soul sleep” mentioned as a Jehovah’s Witness doctrine—denies conscious heavenly existence prior to resurrection; teacher prepared an outline to address it.

Applications (as delivered)

Prayer:

Pray Scripture for others: wisdom, revelation, knowledge of God’s will, enlightened hearts, walking worthy.

Daily spiritual procedure:

Keep short accounts with God—confess known sins quickly to restore filling.

Be consistently filled with the Spirit.

Perceive (listen to, study), metabolize (believe, mix with faith), and apply Bible doctrine.

Perseverance:

Maintain consistency; do not quit after a brief attempt.

Expect testing and adversity as part of growth toward spiritual adulthood and blessing acquisition.

Hermeneutics:

Return to original languages to grasp intended nuances and avoid misinterpretation.

Recognize distinct Greek “walking” verbs to properly understand passages and avoid taking texts out of context.

Sermon Outline: Walking in the Pre-Designed Plan of God — Greek Word Studies and Self-Evaluation

Opening Study Context and Method

Teacher’s admission: “I just hadn't studied this in a long time.”

Emphasis on returning to original languages for doctrinal precision.

Note on ancient literature:

Reference to Greek classics: Iliad and Odyssey.

“Sleep” in ancient usage commonly used of physical death.

Key point: The term “sleep” was never used to mean loss of consciousness of the soul or “soul sleep.” It did not indicate the soul lacked consciousness.

Principle: Many false teachings arise from neglecting original languages, especially Greek.

Greek Word Study 1: Stoicheo (Στοιχέω)

Spelling: S-T-O-I-C-H-E-O

Common translations: “to walk,” “to follow.”

Technical definition:

Military term: “to march in step,” “to march in rank.”

“To walk in agreement,” “to function in a system,” “to follow a leader from the ranks.”

Connotes accuracy and preciseness — doing the right thing in the right way.

Not marching according to personal preferences; rather, in rank as members of the royal family of God.

Being in agreement with the Holy Spirit, functioning in a divinely designed system, following our leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, from the ranks.

Scripture:

Galatians 5:25

“If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk [stoicheo] by the Spirit.”

Doctrinal note: This calls believers to march in step, in rank, walk in agreement with the Holy Spirit, and function in the system of the Holy Spirit.

Grammar note: Indicative mood and first-class condition — “and we do.”

Implication: Since we do live by the Spirit (assumed as true), we should also march in step with the Spirit.

Theological application:

If we’re going to live according to God’s plan, we must follow or march in step with the elements of that plan.

Aligning with the pre-designed plan of God; functioning within a divinely instituted system.

Stoicheo’s importance: Crucial for the upcoming series on the pre-designed plan of God.

System emphasis:

God places every believer in a system — His pre-designed plan.

God does not place us in a denomination, building, or church per se, but in His system (pre-designed plan).

Illustration: Projector Incident

Anecdote during service:

“The projector here caught on fire during the service on Sunday — smoke and everything.”

Light-hearted reflection: “Wouldn't that be a sign from God that God doesn't want me to teach the word if the church burned down on the Sunday that I'm preaching?” — did not happen; gratitude expressed.

Greek Word Study 2: Poreuomai (Πορεύομαι)

Spelling: P-O-R-E-U-O-M-A-I

Meaning: “to go,” “to go forward,” “to proceed,” “to travel,” “to conduct oneself in a certain manner.”

Function: Provides additional nuance to “walking” — directionality, trajectory, course pursued, what one follows and continues in.

Scriptures:

Acts 14:16

“In past generations He permitted all the nations to go [poreuomai] their own ways.”

Application: National degeneration; individuals going their own way — poreuomai.

1 Peter 4:3

“For the time already passed is sufficient for you to have carried out the desires of the Gentiles, having pursued [poreuomai] a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.”

Emphasis: Poreuomai expresses a pursued course; trajectory/pattern of life.

Jude 16

“These are grumblers, finding fault, following after [poreuomai] their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.”

Emphasis: Following after a trajectory — “their own lusts.”

2 Peter 2:10

“And especially those who indulge [poreuomai] the flesh in its corrupt passion and despise authority. Reckless, self-centered, they speak abusively of angelic majesties without trembling.”

Note: Here “walking” includes indulgence — what one indulges indicates their walk.

Synthesis of poreuomai:

Describes direction one goes — “going your own way.”

Describes the course one pursues — what one follows after (doctrine or flesh).

Describes occupational continuance — what one continues in, by occupation with the Lord or something else.

Application:

You cannot claim to walk in the pre-designed plan of God while moving in the opposite direction.

Your pursued course equals your walk.

What you follow after equals your walk.

What you indulge equals your walk.

What you are occupied with equals your walk.

Greek Word Study 3: Anastropho (Αναστρέφω)

Spelling: A-N-A-S-T-R-E-P-H-O

Meaning:

“to behave,” “to function in terms of conduct,” “to overrun.”

Used for practice of principles and varied conducts; often of the unbeliever.

Doctrinal emphasis:

What you practice is what you walk in.

The term implies repetition — your continual practice defines your walk.

Application:

Evaluate what you continually do again and again — not others’ walks.

Major pastoral application: Focus on God’s plan for your life; avoid being occupied with others’ conduct or plan.

“Mind your own business” in the sense of spiritual focus — not indifference to others, but freedom from distraction and judgment.

Testimony: Habitual focus on God’s plan creates freedom and power.

Instruction from “David” repeatedly: “You have to seek God… You don’t have to figure out anything. Do what God has shown you, and the rest will take care of itself.”

God has a plan and wants you to know it. Many miss it by focusing on others instead of seeking God, being filled with the Spirit, taking in Bible doctrine, believing it, and applying it.

Scriptures:

Ephesians 2:3

“Among them, we too all previously lived [anastropho] in the lusts of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.”

Emphasis: “Previously lived” — habitual walk prior to salvation.

Hebrews 13:18

“Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct [anastropho] ourselves honorably in all things.”

Emphasis: Conduct as ongoing practice.

Ephesians 4:22

“In reference to your former way of life [anastropho], you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit.”

Anticipated doctrinal development:

Old self being corrupted versus the new seed that cannot be corrupted.

Upcoming deeper study in the next couple of months regarding the pre-designed plan of God — clarity and spiritual freedom promised.

Greek Word Study 4: Orthopodeo (Ορθοποδέω)

Spelling: O-R-T-H-O-P-E-D-E-O (orthopedeo)

Definition: “to walk straight,” “to walk in one direction only,” “to be straightforward.”

Occurrence: Only once in Scripture.

Context: Paul rebuking Peter; legalistic procedure/policy resulting in hypocrisy.

Scripture:

Galatians 2:14

“But when I saw that they were not straightforward [orthopodeo] about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”

Emphasis: “Not straightforward about the truth of the gospel.”

Note:

Administrative detail to the congregation/app listeners:

The app provides a detailed summary/outline with notes; AI-generated notes are highly detailed.

Summary of the Five “Walk” Words (stated at this point in flow)

All five are often translated “walk,” but each carries distinct theological and practical nuances:

Stoicheo: March in step, rank, accuracy, alignment with divine system.

Poreuomai: Direction pursued, course followed, occupation continued in.

Anastropho: Habitual conduct, repeated practice shaping one’s walk.

Orthopodeo: Straightforwardness, single-direction integrity in gospel truth.

Note: The initial “sleep” note from ancient literature relates to word meaning precision and the necessity of original language study, guarding against false doctrines like soul sleep.

Self-Evaluation and Spiritual Testing

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 13:5

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?”

Application:

“Checkup from the neck up” — evaluate your mentality/attitude regularly.

Background of the phrase:

Origin from a secular sales organization: “Juice” (Join Us In Creating Enthusiasm) meetings; encouragement to reevaluate attitude after discouragement.

Redeployed spiritually: Evaluate where you’re going, how you’re feeling, and why.

Ongoing doctrinal intake makes self-evaluation effective:

Recognize patterns early; course-correct before drifting.

Critical pastoral counsel:

Examine yourself without guilt or condemnation.

Guilt is a sin; leads to “chain sinning” (analogy to chain smoking: lighting one off the end of another).

Recovery protocol:

If evaluation reveals sin, respond with 1 John 1:9: confess, name it, cite it.

By faith, tied back to the cross, as salvation was by faith.

Greatest danger: not recognizing sin due to deceitfulness (emotional and arrogance complex of sins).

If you recognize sin, that’s good — you can return to fellowship.

Transition note:

Moving into the next phase leading up to “walking” — continued development on walking in the pre-designed plan of God.

Sermon Outline: The Pre-Designed Plan of God and the Pattern of the Hypostatic Union

Introduction: Emphasis on the pre-designed plan of God

Statement: This is “very, very pivotal in the pre-designed plan of God.”

Already discussed: The pattern/precedence we follow for this pre-designed plan.

Central Pattern: The Lord Jesus Christ—“David always tells us it’s a person, right? Jesus Christ.”

Definition and Doctrine: The Hypostatic Union

Definition: In the person of Jesus Christ, there are two natures and one person forever.

Clarification:

Not half God and half man.

Jesus is fully man and fully God.

“Undiminished deity” (fully God).

“True humanity” (fully man).

Note: Not the main study for tonight, but necessary background because its principles are applicable.

The Pattern for the Church Age Spiritual Life

Not from Old Testament saints: “We do not develop our spiritual life pattern from the Old Testament saints. They are not the pattern for the church age spiritual life.”

The pattern is found in one person: Jesus Christ.

Key precision: We derive our pattern from how He walked in His humanity, not in His deity.

Importance: This frames the way we apply power and procedure in the spiritual life.

Christ’s Humanity and Impeccability

Statement: Christ’s humanity was impeccable—without sin—He never sinned in thought, word, or deed.

Distinction for the believer:

“That’s not the pattern that we’re going to follow.”

We will have sin and failure.

Christ’s consistency: He remained in the pre-designed plan of God for His entire earthly life; “He never left God’s plan for His life, not even once.”

Our reality:

We often leave the plan of God.

We must recover; God made a way for recovery.

Recovery Mechanism: Confession and Self-Judgment

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:31

“But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.”

Application: Proper self-judgment prevents divine discipline.

Christ’s Potential to Depart from the Plan vs. His Faithfulness

Concept: “Christ could have left the pre-designed plan of God and still appeared good, moral, without overt sin, but would have been outside the plan and disqualified from being our sacrifice.”

Key: He remained under the ministry of God the Holy Spirit throughout—especially post age 30, during the last three years.

Virgin Birth and Absence of the Old Sin Nature (OSN)

Statement: “When the Holy Spirit came upon Him through the virgin birth, His humanity was born without a genetically formed old sin nature.”

Implication: He did not receive the imputation of Adam’s original sin at birth.

Result: “He was born totally perfect as Adam without a sin nature.”

Contrast with us:

“We are born with the sin nature.”

Scripture allusion: Psalm 51—“in sin did my mother conceive me” (mentioned for context).

Temptation and Sympathetic High Priest

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15 (emphasized as “very important”)

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things, just as we are, yet without sin.”

Clarification:

No sin ever in Jesus’ life.

Yet He was truly tempted.

Importance: This connects to the pattern we are following in the pre-designed plan of God.

The Great Power Demonstration in the Hypostatic Union

Principle: The same power available to the humanity of Jesus Christ is available to us today.

Realism:

We will not walk exactly as Jesus walked.

We do have an old sin nature.

Encouragement:

We do have the power of God.

We have the ability to live the life God wants us to live.

“Sin has lost its power.”

Process and precision:

There is “a procedure and a preciseness and a way to do it.”

Known principle: “It’s walking after the Spirit. If you live in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

Note: “We’re not going to get into that yet.”

Central Principle Repeated for Emphasis

Stated twice verbatim:

“Principle. Christ did not have victory over sin, because as God, He could not sin. He had victory over sin as a man by relying on God’s power. He stayed in the pre-designed plan of God. He walked in the plan of God. He used the power that God makes available in the pre-designed plan of God.”

Restated: “Principle. Christ did not have victory over sin, because as God, He could not sin. He had victory over sin as a man by relying on God’s power. He stayed in the pre-designed plan of God. He walked in the plan of God. He used the power that God makes available in the pre-designed plan of God to all of us.”

Theological Terminology: Non posse peccare and posse non peccare

Mention: “There’s terminology that explains this as non-posipicari and posi-non-picari. I don’t have that in here.”

Correction implied by context:

Non posse peccare = not able to sin (as God).

Posse non peccare = able not to sin (as man).

Explanation:

“Obviously as God, the Lord Jesus Christ could not sin, so He was not able to sin.”

“As man in His humanity, the Lord Jesus Christ was able to sin but didn’t. He was able not to sin.”

Addressing a Common Objection

Objection: “If Jesus was God, then God can’t sin, so who cares if He lived a sinless life? What does it matter?”

Response:

“It does matter.”

As man, He could have sinned; He did not.

He “suspended His independent use of His omnipotence.”

Significance: “The same power that in His humanity He had, we have available to us.”

Realistic Expectations for Believers

Statement: “We’re not going to live a sinless life. We’re not going to be able to not sin anymore.”

Illustration/Reference to Pastor Bob (Robert McLaughlin)

Anecdote: Pastor Bob’s story about someone from Africa claiming they no longer sin and thus silent prayer no longer applies.

Reaction: “He didn’t know really what to say… wow.”

Commentary: “I wonder how long it took them to get to that point. But I just don’t know.”

Personal aside: “The moment of silent prayer doesn’t mean anything to me. I just look around at you guys.”

Pastor Bob’s joke: “Let me call the wife. She will tell me.”

Attribution: Reference to Pastor Bob (Robert McLaughlin).

Summary of Practical Theology in this Message

The church-age pattern is the humanity of Christ under the pre-designed plan of God.

We recover through confession (1 John 1:9) and self-judgment (1 Corinthians 11:31).

Christ’s victory over sin was achieved in His humanity by reliance on divine power, not by exercising deity.

The virgin birth explains His lack of OSN and lack of imputation of Adam’s sin, distinguishing Him from us (Psalm 51 allusion).

Hebrews 4:15 ensures we understand temptation and sympathetic priesthood.

The power available to Christ’s humanity is available to us; we must walk by the Spirit with procedure and precision.

Avoid perfectionism claims; embrace recovery and reliance on the Spirit, not denial of sin.

Sermon Outline: Pre-Designed Plan of God, Spirit Power, and Endurance through Trials

Opening principle repeated

Christ did not have victory over sin because, as God, He could not sin.

Christ had victory over sin as a man by relying on God’s power.

He stayed in the pre-designed plan of God, walked in it, and used the power God makes available in that plan.

All of this power is available in the pre-designed plan of God.

Systems of operation and no neutrality

There are two systems:

The cosmic system (broken down into two sections).

The pre-designed plan of God.

There is no other system and no neutrality.

The only way to have divine power available to us is to be in the pre-designed plan of God, which is the filling of the Spirit.

Once outside this plan, you lose the filling of the Spirit.

Morality or niceness outside the plan does not count as anything with God.

Application: Power available by staying in the plan

If Christ could endure maximum temptation and pressure as a man operating under God’s power within God’s plan, and that same power is available to us, then if we walk in that power and plan, we too can endure maximum temptation and pressure.

Connection to previously taught theme:

Reference to “giants” mentioned on Sunday: this is how we defeat them—by God’s power in God’s plan.

We can defeat these giants, but we must have and learn to use the power of God.

Christ’s impeccability and sustaining power

Jesus had to remain impeccable to be judged as perfect humanity and bear every sin ever committed.

Our first pre-designed plan does not include going to the cross; that was unique to Jesus.

One sin or one thought out of place would have disqualified Him.

He was sustained by:

The power of God the Holy Spirit.

Maximum utilization of God’s perfect happiness (inner joy) under suffering.

Scripture: Hebrews 9:13–14

“For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Doctrinal emphasis:

Christ offered Himself “through the eternal Spirit” (Spirit-sustaining power).

Grounding our operational mode in the pre-designed plan of God in Christ’s work on the cross and the Spirit’s power.

Practical implication: cleansed conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2–3

“Looking only at Jesus, the originator [pioneer] and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising [disregarding] the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Precedence for the pre-designed plan:

We look only at Jesus—He is the originator/pioneer of the spiritual life (hypostatic union as great power demonstration).

Jesus Christ in His humanity pioneered the spiritual life we are to live.

“Despising the shame” clarified:

Word nuance: “disregarding” the shame; He did not value or consider the shame relative to the joy.

Joy set before Him:

His happiness was tied to executing God’s plan for His life, which included suffering the cross.

Application:

We often desire an easy plan (analogy: beach, water, no problems), but Christ had joy knowing suffering was His path.

We can have the same inner joy when executing God’s plan, even amid trials and tribulations.

Israel’s giants analogy and faith response

Recounting the 12 spies:

10 rejected the fight—“not what we signed up for.”

Giants exposed their unbelief.

God intended to show His power through them; He would go before them.

Joshua and Caleb’s response: “We are well able to possess this land; let’s go now.”

Application to pre-designed plan:

Whatever your trials, you can have joy because God intends to show His power through you.

Encouragement to expect ongoing problems:

“Enjoy your present problem; another may be coming.”

“If it’s not one thing, it’s two.”

Momentum tests vs. divine discipline

God never puts more on us than we can bear (context: tests for advancing believers).

Discernment:

If under divine discipline due to sin, you can have more than you can bear (up to sin unto death).

If trials are momentum tests (not self-induced misery), they aim to level you up—indicating you have sufficient doctrine resident in the soul.

Choice in testing:

You can run; God won’t force you.

But you cannot advance in God’s plan unless you fight and pass the test, relying on Him.

Promise:

With testing, God provides the way of escape; you won’t have more than you can bear (applied principle—scripture to be covered later).

Pastoral testimony:

Personal illustration from the 1990s:

Pressures and undeserved suffering came; he bailed, left ministry and church.

Entered decades of divine discipline, not testing.

Lesson learned: you cannot do it; you must rely on God.

Applied exhortation:

Have joy in suffering when it is part of God’s plan for leveling you up.

Joy in suffering within the plan

You can have joy even in the midst of suffering if you know it is part of God’s pre-designed plan for you.

Some may dislike the sound of suffering, but understanding God’s plan and calling changes perspective.

God has set aside blessings in eternity; He wants you to have them to glorify Him in your life.

But you must do it God’s way: momentum tests will come; they start small; you won’t be tested beyond capacity.

Even if you fail, you’ll get another chance at the same test.

Side note illustration:

Repeated “people testing” patterns:

The same type of people who irk you may keep appearing until you learn to pass that test.

Over time, those people may no longer bother you—evidence of growth and passing the test.

Christ’s power utilization as our model

Happiness set before us indicates God’s perfect happiness (inner joy), which Christ maximally utilized.

“Author and perfecter of our faith/doctrine” emphasizes Christ as originator, pioneer, completer of the doctrine we operate in.

Christ received present power on the cross from God the Holy Spirit.

Christ utilized God’s perfect happiness (from the past, resident spiritual assets) to endure the cross.

This endurance exceeds any suffering we will face; thus His pattern is sufficient for us.

Doctrinal assertions about Spirit power in redemptive history and church age

First ever demonstration of the power of God fully carried out by a member of the human race: the Lord Jesus Christ.

Old Testament note:

No filling of the Spirit and no pre-designed plan of God in the OT sense as for the church age.

Model for power:

We do not look to Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Abraham as the model of the spiritual life power.

We look to the Lord Jesus Christ’s pattern of being sustained by the Spirit.

Greatest demonstration of God the Holy Spirit’s power: in the life of Christ.

Second greatest demonstration: church-age believers operating in the same power, enabling endurance of anything in life.

Reiteration:

No testing will be more than you can bear when in the plan of God.

Tests are like lifting weights—progressive overload:

Analogy: bench press personal best—moving from 200 to 205 pounds is hard but possible when trained.

Discomfort accompanies advancement; testing is not easy but doable.

Assurance of perseverance in God’s plan

By the Spirit’s omnipotence and maximum utilization of God’s perfect happiness, no trial, difficulty, tragedy, or disaster can remove believers from the plan of God.

God has a fantastic life prepared for you.

Transition and preview

Marker reference: slide 37 noted.

Upcoming passage: 1 John 1:8–10 (to be covered next week; not expounded tonight).

Preview themes: sin patterns, frequent sinning, occasional sinning.

Following that: deeper “meat and potatoes” of the pre-designed plan of God.

Audience interaction: general vs. specific plan

Congregant comment:

Analogy: “stork cacti and barracuda” used earlier (listener appreciates differentiation).

Articulation:

There is a general plan common to all believers: being filled with the Holy Spirit, giving, serving, etc.

There is a specific plan tailored to individual gifts (e.g., teacher vs. helps).