Title: Three kinds of Tongues
Theme: To show the three kinds of tongues in the Bible and show the importance of each.
Text: 1 Cor 14:1-2
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:1-2 AV)
Introduction
On Wednesday night we have been looking at some of the “Mysterious Ways of God”. Areas like faith, his word, symbolic action, grace and the law. Many of these areas we do and walk in obedience but they are surrounded in mystery.
Well if there has ever been a topic that has been surrounded in mystery it has to be this Speaking in tongues. When people ask you what church you attend you usually get two responses: 1) oh that tongue talking church or 2) do you speak in tongues.
Then most of the time we attempt to explain it from our experiences. Usually justifying or defending ourselves. Then we get this curious look like huh. I call it the Wednesday night curl “eyes curled up”.
The range of belief when it comes to speaking in tongues stretches from one extreme to the other. I have some people tell me, “It’s not in the Bible”. They are so ignorant of the word or so wrapped into what they don’t want to believe that they miss it all together.
Then the other extreme as one pastor told his congregation “Ok now let us all speak in tongues.”
Although the Bible tells us that this gift has a certain level of control by the person it can only be initiated by the Holy Spirit.
So let us look into scripture and look at what I call, “Three Kinds of Tongues.” For some of you may remember parts of this message. But for many of you, you need a better understanding of speaking in tongues and its uses in the Bible.
Three types of tongues:
1) Spiritual (from God) 2) Psychological (from flesh) repetition of what is heard from others 3) Demonic (from Satan)
I. Initial Evidence 5 of 6 times mentioned in Acts
Speaking in tongues as the Initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost
1) Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-4 Acts 2:4
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 2) Samaritan Acts 8:14-19 How did Simeon know that they were filled with the Spirit?
Acts 8:18-19 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost
3) Paul’s filling Acts 9:17-19 Paul wrote in 1 Cor 14:5, 18
1 Cor 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
1 Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
4) Caesarea Acts 10:44-46 Acts 10:46
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 5) Ephesus Acts 19:1-6 Acts 19: 6
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Other fruit that comes from the Spirit Baptism
a) personal boldness and power to accomplish mighty works in the name of Christ (Acts
1:8; 2:14-41; 4:31; 6:8 ROM 15:18-19; 1 Cor 2:4) b) prophetic utterances and praise (Acts 2:4,17; 10:46; 1 Cor 14:2 c) sensitivity to sin and desire for holiness (John 16:8; Acts 1:8) d) life which glorifies Christ (John 16:13-14; Acts 4:33)
e) new visions (Acts 2:17)
f) manifestation of the various gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:4-11)
g) greater desire to intercede and pray (Acts 2:41-42; 3:1; 4:23-31; 6:4; 10:9; ROM 8:26)
h) a deeper love and understanding of God’s Word (John 16:13; Acts 2:42)
i) an increasing awareness of God as one’s Father (Acts 1:4; ROM 8:15; Gal 4:6)
II. Devotional Tongues
Speaking in tongues as a devotional tongue. It is done in private.
a) praying in tongues a deeper devotion with the Lord a heavenly language
Eph 6:18a Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
Jude 1:20b praying in the Holy Ghost,
1 Cor 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Most important making sure that our prayer comes in perfect harmony with that of the Spirits.
b) Praising in Tongues
the tongues on the Day of Pentecost proclaims "the wonderful
works of God"
Ac 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
1 Cor 14:14-15 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
c) Singing in Tongues Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19 AV)
d) intercession in tongues ROM 8:26,27
ROM 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groan-ings which cannot be uttered.And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
III. Manifestation Tongues
Speaking in tongues as the manifestation tongue. It is the tongues that is used to give a message from God.
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. (1 Corinthians 14:26-31 AV)
a) Edifying the Church most important goal
b) Interpretation Required: to edify the church 1Cor 14:4,5
c) otherwise keep Silent 1Cor 14:19
d) limit to the number of manifestations 1 Cor 14:27
e) must be judged 1 Cor 14:29
f) forbid it not vs. 39b
Importance of tongues:
1) Paul’s teaching 1 Cor 14:5 2) It is a unique gift introduced in the Pentecostal age
3) The tongue is the most unruly member James 3:8
Now most people ask: Is speaking in tongues for me? First let me say this gift is for everyone. It is a part of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. It comes as a part of it. It is not for the great or small God has given it to all.
Second Paul expected people to “speak in tongues”. He writes to people who he expects are seeing this gift active in the Church.
Third this devotional tongue is very uplifting and affirming from the Lord. It is a mystery sure enough but it a special mystery from the Lord.
That is why it is so important that we realize we don’t control this gift it is initiated by the spirit. This is a sign of affirmation from the spirit and a special anointing.
Conclusion
What does this do for you? How does this make you feel? Do we see this gift evident in our church life? Do we see it in our family? Do we see it in our personal devotion? Why?
