Tongues 9 Series

Tongues Series 9 of 10 Oct. 10, 2012

A In 2006, Benedict Carey wrote on research done at the University of Pennsylvania on speaking tongues.

1 The article, available on the New York Times website, relates of “the passionate, sometimes rhythmic language-like pattern that pours forth from those who speak in tongues.”

a The research team took 5 women as they were speaking in tongues and “found that their frontal lobes–the thinking, willful part of the brain through which people control what they do—were relatively quiet, as were the language centers.”

b These images have been shown in Psychiatry Research; Neuro-imaging and show that the images support people’s interpretation of what was happening.

aa Team included Dr. Andrew Newberg, Donna Morgan, Nancy Wintering, and Mark Waldman.

bb The language part of the brain is quiet. . . seems that God is talking through them.

cc Science seems to support that genuine tongues comes from outside the believer.

c Research found that the person receives positive affects, pleasure, and positive emotions.

2 Science affirms that tongues comes from outside the mind of the believer! (Science understands but cannot explain.)

B The Gifts of the Spirit don’t promise unity in the Church.

1 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Acts 2:1 (NASB)

We are told that before the Holy Spirit was poured out that the believers were already together before the Holy Spirit descended!

a Unfortunately, there has been disunity at various times since Pentecost.

b The Corininthian church had tongues and its share of problems.

2 Just because a congregation/believer is “Spirit-filled” does not mean the church/believer is immune to carnality, sin.

I Nine Things Speaking in Tongues Does Not Do.

A At Corinth, Tongues does not stop division/disunity (1 Cor. 1.10-11).

10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. 1 Cor 1:10-11 (NASB)

B At Corinth, the power of the cross was minimized while problems were magnified (vs.11-17).

11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. 1 Cor 1:11-17 (NASB)

1 The Corinthians were so concerned about who had been baptized by whom.

a Modern day equivalent of, “What church are you a part of? or “How many times the pastor asked you to lunch?”

b Paul was essentially saying with all the focus on problems you take away the focus from the cross, rendering the power of the cross void!

2 When the church makes anything more important than salvation through the Cross of Christ they are in for trouble.

C At Corinth, there was a carnal immaturity that dominated the church.

1 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 1 Cor 3:1-3 (NASB)

a Just because someone speaks in tongues doesn’t mean they can’t act like childish.

aa Not a mark of spiritual maturity.

bb In this passage is the proof!

b The people at FBC Corinth spoke in tongues but Paul still had to bottle feed them milk like they were newborn baby believers.

2 There were Spirit-filled Christians but they still acted like they were “like mere men.”

a Selfishness, pride, & envy.

b Acting like lost people even though they spoke in tongues.

D At Corinth, they still engaged in immoral behavior.

1 1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife. 1 Cor 5:1 (NASB)