Tongues 7 September 26, 2012 Dr. Mike Fogerson
Introduction:
A Story
1 A prophetic tongue in a service can be a blessing, encouraging & comforting.
a Build expectation, bolster receptivity in people’s hearts.
b We’ve learned there are limits in public use of tongues.
aa At most three, one at a time, interpretation must be given.
bb I am of the opinion that a prayer language is available to EVERY Christian, but not everyone has been gifted with a prophetic tongue.
cc Various giftings of tongues.
2 In 1 Cor. 14, Paul went to great lengths to set the limitations/order of the prophetic gift of tongues in a public worship setting.
a Many Christians/Churches/Denominations have shied away from tongues out of an over abundance of caution: answered misuse with disuse.
b Paul warns the enemies of freedom, “Do not forbid to speak with tongues” (1 Cor. 14.39).
39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 1 Cor 14:39 (NASB)
aa v.18, Paul told Corinth he spoke in tongues “more than you all.”
18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 1 Cor 14:18 (NASB)
bb Gordon Fee, God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul,
I was overwhelmed as I realized the depth of Paul’s reliance on the supernatural work and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul prayed and sang in the Spirit. The legalistic Pharisee who seemed so stern broke out in joy & freedom at his conversion. Even in describing the kingdom of God, Paul could hardly contain himself as he shouted, “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
B The Benefits of a Private Prayer Language
1 Even those who believe the gifts of the Spirits are around today seem to come to a roadblock when the gift of tongues are mentioned.
a Some who accept tongues believe it is only for the corporate worship setting.
aa Tongues edifies the body, but the believer doesn’t understand what they’re babbling in private.
bb What good is a private prayer language? Is there a blessing that can come from speaking in tongues?
b Are there blessings? Benefits? “Yes” to both.
2 The first Benefit: Releases a joyful new connection to God.
a 1 Cor. 14.2, “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.”
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands , but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Cor 14:2 (NASB)
aa Prayer language allows your spirit to communicate directly to God’s Spirit.
bb Our mind, heart, understanding does not get in the way. (Unfiltered)
b Often when people’s spirit’s comes into communication with the Holy Spirit there is a release joy, happiness, deluge of delight.
aa When Mary received word about the Messiah in her womb she magnified the Lord.
bb Luke 1.47, “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
cc “rejoiced” means to “jump for joy.” No mention of her using tongues, but there was a literal move in her spirit in response to the joy of the Holy Spirit, who overshadowed her in preparation for the coming of Jesus.
c “I don’t understand all this talk of a prayer language.”
aa In the Western Church we have been saturated with Greek philosophy & rationalism. (If we can’t understand it, explain it, systematize, control then it most not be of God.)
bb I would rather be saturated by the Power of the Holy Spirit than the philosophy of men on any given day.
cc Not saying leave you’re brain at the door. (Love God with heart, soul, mind.)
dd My mind is polluted, corrupt with sin, ever battling the natural man/flesh.
ee 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised . 1 Cor 2:14 (NASB)
(IOW, our flesh fights things that are not explainable.)
d There is a realm (spiritual/invisiable)where God communicates to the spirit and then to the mind.
aa Only as we offer ourselves in brokeness/surrender can God renew our minds.
bb Then and only then will He reveal Himself to us.
3 The second Benefit: Releases Spiritual Understanding
a 1 Cor. 14.2, “In the spirit he speaks mysteries.”
aa I wish we had all the answers to life questions, mysteries . . . but we don’t.
bb There are times when we don’t even know how to pray as we should.
cc IL. Praying with tears over Kaylee. (Romans 8.26-27)
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)
dd The Holy Spirit can reveal Himself, understanding of the council of God through a prayer language.
b The Holy Spirit can pray for us when we don’t know how to pray. TRUE
aa He can led us to pray in our natural language; He has also provided a language of prayer by which we can communicate spirit to Spirit with the Lord.
bb 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands , but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Cor 14:2 (NASB)
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 1 Cor 14:4 (NASB)
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 1 Cor 14:14-15 (NASB)
cc Paul spent the majority of 1 Cor. 14 addressing the need for interpretation of tongues in public worship, but don’t forget he also stressed the benefit/blessing of using tongues in a private prayer language.
c There is a mystery about prayer that many people have grown frustrated with that has often led them to stop praying.
aa If God already knows what my need is, why pray? What’s the use?
bb Answer: We don’t pray to inform God but to adjust our lives to what He has already set in motion. (IL. Setting sails on a sail boat)
cc Prayer pleases God, called us to intercession, willed to operate only in answer to prayer
d We can prayer with the Spirit or with the understanding.
aa In the Spirit, God moves through us to pray for what our flesh could never understand, comprehend.
bb 1 Cor. 4.1, we are “stewards” of the mysteries of God.
1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Cor 4:1 (NASB)
cc A “steward” is a “manager.” (Manager must know how to transfer resources where they are needed, when they are needed.)
e The Holy Spirit opens up/quickens our spirit to receive truth from the Word of God.
aa He allows us to see Scripture as more than history, literature but to grasp the things of God as we read the inspired Word of God.
bb 27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 1 John 2:27 (NASB)
cc The Holy Spirit will not bring new truth but brings new revelation of the truth already revealed in Scripture as we pray in the Spirit.
dd Cause a text to jump out at you in clarity, comes alive, speaks to you personally.
4 The third benefit: Release Power & Strength
a The primary use of a prayer language today is to strengthen/build up an individual Christian for ministry.
aa 1 Cor. 14.4, is often critically cited to condemn tongues as a “selfish” gift.
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 1 Cor 14:4 (NASB)
bb Gifts are given to edify the body, however, the body is made up of individuals.
cc IL. If I was on a football team, would I be considered selfish for taking part in personal training to build up my strength? (No, my personal strength helps the team become stronger.)
b Your prayer language can strengthen your inner/spirit man/woman (Eph. 3.16.)
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, Eph 3:16 (NASB)
aa Jude 21, We are strengthened by a confirmation of our faith (what we believe); and ability to exercise faith in the work of God.
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. Jude 1:21 (NASB)
bb Because you’ve been “praying in the Spirit” there is an enablement to “keep yourself in the love of God” and also to “look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
c The “build up” is to release the ability to publically prophecy or preach the Word of God.
aa Tongues stirs up other gifts, especially the prophetic gift.
bb 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. 1 Cor 14:5 (NASB)
cc Original language: “I would that you spoke with tongues much in order that you may prophesy greater.”
d Paul would say that five understood words are better than 10,000 tongues whose meaning is not understood.
aa Also consider that a person out to pray ten thousand words privately in his closet before he speaks before the people of God.
bb Before I come to the pulpit I pray in the Spirit.
cc It builds my strength/spirit & it stimulates the prophetic gift in me so I can speak His Word with boldness.
5 Fifth benefit: Releases a new dimension of worship
a On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the Apostles & worshipers of Jesus a new tongue & a new song. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, Acts 10:46 (NASB)
aa Thousands had gathered to see what had happened to the 150 in the upper room.
bb As they heard the mighty rushing wind, loud voices of the lovers of Jesus there was a noise heard above every tongue . . . praise!
b Tongues were useful for worship/praise in the presence of Believers.
Conclusion:
A Tongues was likely the most common gift practiced in the early church. (Def. the first
sign of gifts released in the early church/Upper Room)
1 How can you recognize & release this gift in your own life? Process:
a You will have a desire for intimacy with the Lord.
b You will sense your spirit man and the Spirit of God desiring to communicate.
c The Holy Spirit will rise within you, and your spirit man will speak through vocal chords.
d You must exercise your will.
aa You must choose to speak by opening your mouth and allowing the language of heaven to pour forth.
bb
e Your spirit will know this language, and you will be able to speak this language at will. (You can stop speaking at will, too!)
2 If you don’t receive this gift, do not fret/feel inferior.
a God may desire to release other gift in you.
b Later, God may give you this gift as well.
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
