And They Spoke In Other Tongues

September 4, 2011

Morning Worship

Text: Acts 2:4

Subject: Tongues

Title: And They Spoke in Other Tongues…

This is a Labor Day message to those who want to labor for God.

There has been a wonderful move of the Holy Spirit here the last couple of weeks. Isn’t it wonderful when we allow Him to have His way in His church? That fact alone is a valid testimony to the love of God who is true to His word when He said, “Those who honor Me I will honor…” And isn’t that what we have been experiencing? We honor God by seeking after Him and He honors us by revealing Himself t us in a special way.

What I am talking about is the desire of a church to go deeper in the things of God. And that is what I want to speak to you about today.

Let me begin by sharing with you the work of the Holy Spirit in my life.

1. The Holy Spirit began to convict me of sin when I heard the gospel message. I used to get so mad at my brother when he would witness to me. I thought I was mad because he thought that he was right and I was wrong. I really was angry because of the way the Word of God made me feel – uncomfortable! It was the same Holy Spirit who finally broke through my hard “religious” shell and brought me to repentance and salvation.

2. The Holy Spirit came to dwell inside of me. That is what happens at the point of salvation. You not only get heaven – you get a houseguest. He comes to live in your tent. That is the result of being born again.

3. Jesus baptizes you with the Holy Spirit. And that is where we want to be today. We know what Jesus said to the disciples when He was preparing them for ministry. Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” John the Baptist talked about this baptism in the Spirit. Luke 3:16, John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jesus told the disciples how important this baptism was. Luke 24:49, I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

OK! It is pretty obvious, isn’t it, that Jesus wants to baptize with the Holy Spirit. It is for power. Now how do you get it? First of all you must want to go deeper with God. Then all you have to do is ask. Luke 11:13, 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

If you are satisfied just knowing that you have received the promise of heaven in the next life and don’t desire to go any further, then this message is not for you. But if you want to take the relationship to the next level, then this baptism in the Holy Spirit is for you. It is a secondary act of grace following salvation and Jesus intends for all to have it.

One more thing before I get into the meat of the message today. The bible says that this baptism is for power to be witnesses. Let me share my heart with you on this. When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, power is not just something magical that comes upon you. What the baptism in the Spirit does, is to magnify the relationship you have with Jesus, and increases your spiritual awareness as to what God wants to do in you and through you. John 16:12-15, 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Now I have finally gotten to where I want to be… The bible specifically says that when you receive power from on high that the initial physical evidence of receiving that power is speaking in tongues. Jesus Himself said that it would happen. Mark 16:17, And these signs will accompany those who believe … they will speak in new tongues…