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UNUSUAL EXPRESSIONS IN THE BIBLE THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT Ephesians 3:9; Revelation 3:2 January 4, 2026 All of us need improvements in our Christian life. Let’s talk what we have to make this 2026. What are those unusual expressions we find in the bible that need improvement.
I – TO WORK ON THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY Ephesians 3:9 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:” Notice in Ephesians 3:9 the phrase “the fellowship of the mystery.” It says that from the beginning of the world the fellowship of the mystery has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Paul wants all men to see the fellowship of the mystery. Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;” Paul claims that he was less than the least of all saints, but God commissioned and has given Paul the grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Notice Paul said “this grace given” it means God gave Paul a grace gift. What is that grace gift given to Paul? The grace gift mentioned here was a commission to preach. So, Paul was graced with that gift to preach. It’s a great privilege and great honor to preach the Word of God. In verse 9, Paul is telling us that his commission is to make known to all men he met in his missionary journey in order to see what is the fellowship of the mystery. What is a fellowship of the ministry? A mystery is unrevealed truth that is now revealed truth to the saints of God. God held that truth in His mind and heart until an appointed time. What is main feature describing this mystery in this passage? Ephesians 3:5 “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;” What was hidden but now revealed? It was never known in the Old Testament that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body, the body of Christ the church. Because of the privilege that God revealed to Paul the fellowship of the ministry, so Paul revealed that truth in detail in his epistles. There are two different words in different manuscripts. Some manuscripts we find the word “koinonia”, and other manuscripts we find the word “oikonomia”. They are similar in sound but very different terms with different meanings. However, in spite of that it does not really affect the point that Paul wants to drive out in our passage. The Greek word “Koinonia” translated fellowship which means sharing together in the things of Christ. The Greek word “Oikonomia” literally means house rules, it is translated a stewardship or a dispensation. It means God is dispensing His moral absolutes in a particular time to a particular people. Therefore, Paul is talking about here, how we understand it whether as fellowship of the mystery (koinonia) or we understand it as the administration or stewardship of the mystery (Oikonomia). The mystery is the church, the body of Christ. There is the unique fellowship (koinonia) as members of the body share together in the church, and there is also way that the members of the body is to administer the spiritual gifts and administer our ministries within the body. The point that Paul wants to emphasize is that in the body of Christ, the Jews and Gentiles have no distinction and are irrelevant for they are now one in Christ through faith on the Savior Jesus Christ. But what important now is thar we participate or involved (Oikonomia) in the life of the body the church, that we have to share together our spiritual gifts in serving in the ministry of the body of Christ. As members of the church the body of Christ, we need to pray in this coming year about:
Despite all people different in walks of life, different in cultures, different background, different in life experiences, but we have all have things in common. We are all saved by grace through faith, all were forgiven by the shed blood of Christ, all received a spiritual gift of God, all are in one spiritual family as children of God. The moment they got saved, they were sealed and dwelled by Holy Spirit, God distributed to each one of them gift of spiritual gift as He will. Each of us as Christian has that gift, a different gift but we all have a gift. All believers have the responsibility to use that spiritual gift in the body of Christ for encouragement and edification of one another. There is no Christian who do not have one spiritual gift, every saved person has received the grace of spiritual gift. In order to keep the fellowship of the mystery functioning well, the local assembly needs brothers and sisters serve and be faithful in attending worship services, and happy to use their spiritual gift that God gave them. There are ministries that are open for those willing to serve for God’s glory: nursery ministry, Adult and children Sunday school ministries, youth ministries, evangelism and soulwinning ministries, vehicle ministries, children’s outreaches, Music ministries, Jail ministries, bible school training ministries, etc. We need more responsible men and young men to serve as deacons and elders in the local assembly. So, what is the fellowship of the mystery?
That is what should take place in the mystery, the church, the body of Christ. We should give importance to what fellowship is. All members of this local assembly must be watchful and caring when people enter in our congregation whether they are new converts must feel they are part of the body or they are visitors they must feel welcomed. There must always need of improvement in the local church about the fellowship of mystery. We all need to focus and pay attention on that very important thing in the fellowship of mystery.
II – TO STRENGTHEN THINGS WHICH REMAIN Please open Revelation 3:2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” This was a warning to the church at Sardis. This is a challenge to us regarding the areas that we need help in, strengthening the things that remain. Believers at Sardis become lethargic because they were surrounded by apostasy and erosion in spiritual things. Sardis had a reputation for life but in God’s sight the believers in Sardis were lacking life, it means they were dead spiritually, the spiritually life of the believers in Sardis had all dried up. Despite the lack of spiritual vitality, the believers of Sardis, this local assembly had a reputation in the neighborhood, in the city, being alive. How could it be possible that they have name or reputation for life but they were actually lacking life? God looks at spiritual life but the lost world looks at activities. The unsaved people of the world doesn’t see any difference between spiritual life and the activities of men in the local assembly. A church can be very busy, zealous, and active at the same time there are lot of fighting and misunderstanding going on, there can be many ministries and services rendered so they appear have life, but God knows they really lacking spiritual vitality. Enjoyable, exciting and encouraging activities cannot never be a substitute for value of life. A literal machine has a lot of moving parts, can be very useful and operative, but still not alive. Some mainline denominations who have rejected the fundamentals of the faith and continued exists were very active liberal politics, in social issues, active in organization of women’s right, active in abortion issues, and other famous issues. But all those things are not evidence of spiritual life. A local assembly may have been involved in many activities but the Lord Jesus Christ was not in the midst of it. How some large evangelical churches are filling the pews:
That is what people want to hear, how to be happy, how to cope with anxiety, how to cope with fears in life, how to be fulfilled, how to be the best person they can be. People are very interested in hearing about themselves. But this proves that these people are interested in learning about God and things that pleases God. This is all marketing techniques, and full of psychological approach. Jesus rebuked Peter for not having in mind the things of God, but the things of men. Matthew 16:22-23 “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” We are living in an age similar how the believers in church of Sardis lived. Christians lived like the way the people of the world lived. Believers come to worship with rugged attires, slippers, wearing shorts, very short mini skirt, back lace blouse, they were still drinking liquors, going nightclub, participating on any types of gambling, attending rock concerts. It’s hard to tell the difference between a worldly Christian and the people of the world. Thet still have the reputation for they bear the name of Christ, they were still known as Christian, they still don’t forget and used the Christian language and theological terms they have learned. Historically, some of these churches are no longer they used to be for the past long years. Search and study the history of Israel how the fall away from the presence of the Lord. After David and Solomon not long after the glory days of Israelites departed. Consequently, what happened next, there are lot of ups and downs, mostly downs moments. It cannot be said that church history has been smooth in the past because in the church early days the churches flourished during the persecution against Christianity. During 1800 or early 1900’s, it was known that there was a flourishing of strong and fruitful missions in the churches. Then what happened next, there was a long downgrade of spiritual life and vitality in the work of Christian churches. Despite of devotion and strong commitment to the faith of early Christians in the midst of severe persecution in the early days, and yet, there was spiritual lethargy among churches in our days. But there is still life in that churches. That is why John’s exhortation to the church at Sardis, is to strengthen those things that remain before it is completely dead. In other words, there are still some good things that remain, they have not fully submitted and worship to the Devil. That is the challenge for us today, we have the responsibility to strengthen those things that remain, and God uses the preaching of His Word to strengthen those weakening areas of our lives. Some things that remain that need to fan the flame:
If we're weak and ready to die, then we need to be strengthened.
III – TO APPREHEND THAT WHICH ARE APPREHENDED OF JESUS CHRIST Philippians 3:12-14 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Notice the word “perfect” means spiritual mature or whole. Two important things that Paul wants to emphasize:
Paul has the goal. What is the goal of Paul that he pursued after? Paul wanted to apprehend something, to seize or make it yours. But Paul said he has not apprehended it yet. So, what was Paul going to apprehend? Notice Paul said “for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Did you know the purpose in Jesus seizing or apprehending Paul on the road to Damascus? The Lord Jesus this self-righteous Pharisee so that could change this persecutor, injurious, blasphemer and transform Paul into the image of the Lord Jesus, that he might become the preacher of the gospel and become a useful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, God apprehended Paul. The Goal of Paul in life:
What should we do to reach the goal of to be like Christ in 2026.
Truth in reaching the goal of to be like Christ:
God has a lot more work to do in us. That should be our goal this year, that real change, real transformation, real spiritual maturity, Christlikeness would be evident in our daily Christian lives. Like a runner who won a race, and awarded, should be running again to win another race, and did not just say, I am just going to sit down because I have already done my job, I have already accomplished as a winner. Same is true with us as Christian runner, God this year wants us to stretch and grow, to reach forth more things that God has for us in the future. There is lot of things we need to work and improve.
IV – TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE Titus 2:13-14 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Two reasons why Jesus Christ gave Himself for us and died for us:
The word “peculiar” means a God’s own unique people. What makes us unique or peculiar people of God?
In this vile wicked earthly world, a pure person is unusual and would seem peculiar to others.
Zealous of good works. Not just good works but a zeal to do good works. That is addiction to serving or doing good works for others, that is what pleases the Lord. As God’s unique peculiar owned by the Lord, we are not going to live to serve ourselves and to please ourselves. Instead, we are going to live to please God and serve others, that makes us unique, different from the world around us that always think and want “me”, “myself”, “I” first.
Leviticus 20:26 “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” Moses wrote what the Lord said “ye shall be holy unto me.” To is the will of God for all the believers. To be holy means set apart from everything else and set apart unto the Lord. Notice the words “have severed you from other people.” Positional sanctification is when a person comes to the Lord by faith and got saved, that is once and for all. That moment we are sanctified or we have been set apart for God’s use. Believers are set apart from everything else in the world, we have been set apart unto the Lord. Thus, God has severed us, He has cut us apart from all others. ILLUSTRATION: When a man marries a woman or vice versa, then that woman or man becomes his or her. She is mine or He is mine. She/He’s nobody else. She’s/He’s been set apart unto me and I unto her/him. The same is true on what God says He did with us. We are God’s unique peculiar people of the world. We are not like people of the world therefore we should not live like people of the world. So, God said “I have severed you from other people.”
Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.” Notice the words of Malachi “spake often one to another”. They talked one to another about God in the Bible. Notice the words “And the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his me.” During the days of Malachi, the people assemble together they loved the Lord and delighted in thinking about God and about His name, thinking of who God is, what God is like, and what the Word of God has said. In the mind of then world they were weird. That is how the world viewed us, how God wants us to be. To be a peculiar unique people of God. Our Goal is to be what God wants us to be, a people set apart very different from all else, so as we grow in our Christian faith, we become less like the world, we think less like the world, and have more of the mind of Christ. But it would be a progressive growth, because we will never fully achieve that, so that is our goal, to be like Christ.
V – TO BE A ONE EYE PEOPLE Matthew 6: 22-23 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” This is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where he addresses various aspects of a believer's life and how they should live in obedience to God. Understanding the context, in the preceding verses, Jesus talks about the dangers of wealth and material possessions, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual treasures over earthly ones (verse 21). Jesus also discusses the concept of serving two masters, God and wealth, which is ultimately impossible (verse 24). In verse 22, Jesus uses the analogy of the eye to convey a deeper spiritual truth to his listeners. Christ uses figurative language here to speak about how we evaluate our treasures. The eye figure addresses how we look at things, how we view and evaluate our treasures and other things of life. Notice first the beginning phrase “The light of the body is the eye” The eye here is the lamp (in Greek “luchnos” or “lychnos”) of the body. Going back to the phrase "The light of the body is the eye" refers to the idea that our eyes serve as a metaphorical window through which we perceive the world around us. Light is figurative and refers to the lamp of the body, the eye, the only channel through which light enters into the human body. Jews considered the eye to be the window of one's soul. It follows that what one allows into his or her mind and thought-life produces desires, which in turn produce action and it is one's actions (or conduct) that reveal who that person truly is. The Lord Jesus is telling us here that the light is the eye gate or door, because where light comes in, and that is where we are able to see and understand things. And that what we open the gate or door to, has ready access to our body. Jesus is telling here that the light of the body is the eye. Our perspective, intentions, and focus are influenced by what we see and how we see it. The point is that the light that enters in to eye is going to have a good or bad effect on the whole body. Jesus is talking about everything that influence us, if we are focusing on, thinking about, whatever our eyes looking on something with purpose, if we are going to keep looking at it, will enter into our mind and into our heart will going to affect who we are, affect our whole being. Therefore, whenever we are looking and thinking about something that is evil, that is going to enter through our eye and affects our heart and mind and affect who we are. What is the practical application if the eye is the light of the body? Our spiritual understanding, perception and outlook really influence our actions and attitudes.
Matthew 6:23 “But if thine eye be evil,” Notice the phrase “if thine eye be evil.” In the Bible, the eyes are often associated with spiritual understanding and perception, that is why “evil eye” or “bad eye” means being spiritually blind or having a corrupted perspective. Jesus uses the term “bad eye” or evil eye (verse 23 “But if thine eye be evil”) in a figurative sense, teaching that such an eye tries to focus on worldly possessions (material gain) and on God at the same time which confuses the person (“spiritual double vision”) and they cannot see their way clearly as they walk through life. Jesus main point is that believers must maintain a clear, single eye, giving God our sole attention. “Bad eyes” (evil eye – v.23) are stingy and covet money and wealth and produce spiritual darkness, which Jesus warns us great. Matthew 6: 23 “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Opposite of light (verse 22) is darkness (verse 23). Darkness represents sin, ignorance and spiritual blindness. If our aim in life is to get material gain (verse 21, 24), it will mean darkness within (verse 24). But if our outlook is to serve and glorify God, there will be light within. If what should be light is really darkness, then we are being controlled by darkness; and outlook determines outcome. If the eye is single, the whole body will be affected with light or truth and purity. Often in the Scriptures, light represents truth and purity, so God wants our eye to be single. Notice the word “if therefore thine eye be single” or if the eye is clear. Since your eye is the light or lamp of your body, what will be the effect, if your eye is single or if your eye is clear? Matthew 6:22 “if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” The result or consequence is your whole body will be full of light (in Greek “photeinos”). Why? It says “if the eye is single” or if your eye is clear (in Greek “haplous”), your whole body will be full of light. Now, notice that the eye takes place of the heart in preceding verse 21 (Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”). In verse 22 and verse 23, Jesus is looking at the same subject from a slightly different perspective. When our eyes are fixed on God, we are more likely to live in alignment with His Word, making decisions that honor God and reflect God’s character. In this context, the term "single" does not refer to a physical eye but rather to the singleness or simplicity of one's focus and intention. The eye, to be useful, was to be single, not characterized by double vision (Luke 11:34). What does an eye do? The eye enables a person to see their way, but it must be a clear eye to fulfill this function. When Jesus declares, "if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light," This singleness of vision leads to a spiritual enlightenment and a life filled with the presence and guidance of God. What a person do if he has clear eyes or fixed on God?
What will happen if our eyes have a right focus?
character of God.
masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”). You can only have one master. So, one eye means single-mindedly focused on one object. Having one eye means focusing our attention on Christ alone, on things above and not on things on earth, (Matthew 6:19-20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”), that is what Jesus said in (Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your hearrt be also.”). Jesus speaks about focusing on treasuring things that are much more important than treasuring things that are on the earth. Some try to lay up for themselves treasures in heaven, but they also like treasures on earth. They have Jesus as their Lord but they have also other masters. If the eye is out of focus and seeing double (verse 23), it results in unsteady movements. It is most difficult to make progress while trying to look in two directions at the same time. So, their eye is divided. The opposite of a single eye is divided eye. Their focus and thinking are divided between the treasures of heaven and the treasures of the earth, divided between the Lord Jesus as their master and by another master which is money or powerful influence. If a Christian have a single eye, he is focusing only on God, his only master, the result is purity of life. Purity affects our whole being and change the kind of person that we are. On the other hand, if we are looking at two things at one time, having one eye on heaven and one eye on earth, we will have difficulties in our walk according to Jesus. It is God’s will for the believer to live for the Lord and not for the Lord and other things. If the eye is properly focused on the light, the body can function properly in its movements. But if the eye is out of focus and seeing double, it results in unsteady movements. It is most difficult to make progress while trying to look in two directions at the same time. God wants us to treasure spiritual things, not spiritual things and other things. Our mind and heart is set on things above (Colossians 3:1-2 “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”), Our true treasure is to be in heaven (Matthew 6:20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,”). Our single-minded allegiance, single minded devotion and focus is to the Lord Jesus, our Master (Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters”). Jesus speaks about the importance of serving only one master: either God or wealth. Jesus warns against the dangers of being consumed by material possessions and the pursuit of wealth, and the corrupting influence that can have on one's spiritual life. This emphasizes the theme of serving God and not being enslaved by material desires. Be warned that wealth not only enslaves the heart, but it also enslaves the mind (verses 22-23). If our aim in life is to get material gain (verse 24), it will mean darkness within (verse 23). But if our outlook is to serve and glorify God, there will be light within. If this year we have divided eye, divided thinking, divided treasures, divided master, that would never help us to do right and that would not be going work. So, this year we have to make sure and put extra effort to have single devotion to nobody else but Jesus Christ. If there is anything or there is anyone that takes the place of God in your heart that can be an idol. The Lord Jesus wants us to have single eye. An eye focused on God alone.
VI – TO HAVE MORE BAPTISM FOR THE DEAED I Corinthians 15:29 “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” Paul did not give any explanation anywhere else in the Bible about baptism for the dead. But this was inspired by God and completely true. We need baptism for the dead here at Messiah Baptist Church, Baesa. Let us pray that we will see more of the baptism for the dead in our local assembly. What is baptism for the dead?
Baptism for the dead is a non-biblical practice. What is false belief of Baptism for the dead:
faith for a person that is already deceased. (considered as practice of baptizing a dead person).
hope in the resurrection to come. Mormons church interpreted that we baptize people on behalf of the dead. So, I have to baptize a person, and that baptized person is doing it for someone who died 50 years ago, for example his great-great uncle. Mormonism practice of baptism for the dead is unscriptural. Baptism for the dead is a practice that was common in the pagan religions of Greece and is still practiced today by some cults; but it doesn’t change a person’s eternal destiny, for a man’s eternal destiny is determined while he still alive (Luke 16:26).
Notice the phrase “if the dead rise not (“egeiro”) at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” It means, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then why should anyone believe and be baptized? Paul is saying that if there is no resurrection and no life after death, then why are people coming to Christ to follow the hope of those believers in Christ who have died? The church is a living organism and not just an organization, although it is been organized and should not be disorganized. The church is designed by God as a living organism to be able to reproduce itself. Our physical bodies are likened to that living organism, the church. ILLUSTRATION: The human body have cells that are constantly dying and was replace by new cells. The body have fingernail that grow but we cut them off but new nails grow in. Human hail falls off, so we get our hair cut off, but grows back sometimes, but sometimes it does not grow back. The same is true the way God designed the human body, is also the way God designed the local church and the body of Christ is to work. There are lot of sad experiences and memories in our local church here in Baesa. Many of our older members died, even young people and all of them is not with us anymore. Our local assembly continue losing people. Think if there will be no new members in our local church to fill in the gaps. We will have an empty local congregation. Yet, the body of Christ lasted 2,000 years ago and new members need to be added to the church. How? New members in the local church will be added through gospel, by preaching the gospel of Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-4). If we preach the gospel faithfully, new converts will get to know Christ as their Savior and be saved. And those new converts are being baptized (Acts 8:35-38) in the place of older members who already died and gone to be with the Lord. So, baptism for the dead provides new members as a replacement of those dead church members. No one knows when we will die but we all know that we will not live on this earth forever. All Christians die. But if we want that the body of Christ would continue, somebody to needs to take my place and take your place. Who are they? They are newly saved, baptized and become members of the local assembly. Baptism for the dead continues on into the next generation and more converts added into the body of Christ. Listen, if we are faithful in sharing the power of the gospel to the lost souls, God will be faithful in saving and sending replacements who were already dead. But, lost people are not going to hear the gospel unless we tell them the good news about the Savior Jesus Christ. That is our Christian’s responsibility. Let us be conscious to make an effort to see people come to Christ and be saved this year 2026. Not just seeing them professed they know Christ and then never see them again, but genuinely saved and really walk with God, live for God and become part of the church, get baptized and become a member of the body of Christ, the church who are faithfully ministering to the local church. That is the point and the purpose of our responsibility as a Christian. Tell more people about the Savior this year. That is what baptism for the dead means. New converts newly saved as a replacement of those dead church members. Baptism cannot be saved but the gospel can be saved because it is the power of God unto salvation. Let us share the good news to many unsaved people. Let us baptized more converts this year to replace the dead church members who gone with the Lord. |