1st Corinthians 12:4-11
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
The Holy Spirit is the One who gives spiritual gifts to those who enter God’s Kingdom and become a part of the Body of Christ! So why aren’t we seeing the manifestation of these gifts in the modern-day churches of this world?
Why is there still only one man standing up in the pulpit preaching to hundreds and thousands of people, while everybody else sits in a pew, listens, gives their offering, sings a few songs, and then goes home?
Where is the prophetic word? Where is the word of knowledge? Where is the word of wisdom? Where are the gifts of healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, interpretation, exhortation, and the other gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to the Body?
If the scripture says the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man, then why have we reduced the Body of Christ to a congregation of spectators?
People are listening to men rather than seeking God for themselves. They are looking for a word to make them feel good, instead of seeking the Spirit. They are looking for a building instead of becoming the Ekklesia!
Ekklesia - Strong’s G1577: “a calling out,” “assembly,” “church,” specifically the community of the redeemed in Christ.
So many have become comfortable with the weekly tradition of walking inside a building, sitting down for an hour or two, listening to one man speak, shaking a few hands, giving a few smiles, and walking back out thinking they just got their souls fed.
But where is the LIFE of Christ in the believer? Where is the power of the Holy Spirit operating through the Body?
Paul said in
1st Corinthians 14:26
"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."
Notice what he said: “each of you.” He didn't say one man has everything while everybody else sits there and watches. The Church was never supposed to be one pastor over all, but a plurality of leadership, and the disciples of Jesus, ALL being led by the Spirit of God!
1st Corinthians 12:12-14
"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many."
We are supposed to be functioning members of one Body, under one Head—and that Head is Christ!
Ephesians 4:11–12
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,"The purpose was never for one preacher to stand behind a pulpit and do all the ministry while everyone else remains spectators. The leaders were given to equip the saints for the work of the ministry so that the Body of Christ could function. And those who truly belong to Christ should be asking, “Lord, what have You called me to do? What gift have You placed within me? How do You want to use me to serve Your people?”
Romans 8:14
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Jesus is not looking for lukewarm spectators. He is looking for believers who are actually surrendered to Him, led by His Spirit, grounded in His Word, and willing to be used by God.
Jesus didn't call and make disciples to go sit inside a building on Sunday, but He called them and equipped them to be His representatives on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and everywhere they went!
Because the Ekklesia is not the building. We are the Body. Christ is the Head. And the Holy Spirit must be allowed to lead those who truly belong to Him.
In Christ,
Tyrone
