Speaking In Tongues Series

Kurt Lindgren

www.pastorkurt.com

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

1 Corinthians 14:1-25 / November 4,2012

INTRODUCTION: Paul teaches about two features of the worship service in Corinth tongues and prophecy and discusses their value or importance.

Spiritual Gifts: 1) varied. 2) come from God. 3) The gifts are to help others / help the church.

1. UNDERSTANDING TONGUES 1-5

 Speaking in tongues major issue in Corinth / Major issue today

 v.1 - Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

1. Love be your highest goal! / Love not natural / Love acquired thru prayer / Love is disposition mind

2. Desire the (gifts) special abilities the Spirit wants you to have

3. Prophesy: speaking what God has revealed. interpreting scripture

 v.2-5 - Speaking in tongues is a legitimate spiritual gift!

1. 1Cor 13:8-12 Tongues will cease / But when?

 Definition of Speaking in Tongues is when someone speaks in a language that he or she does not know.

 Purpose of Speaking In Tongues (Bible 3 types of use):

1. v.5 - A private prayer language that is not interpreted

2. v.5 - A language that is interpreted within the church.

3. v.22 - A missionary tool - in the context of evangelism where people hearing gospel in own language.

 v.5 Paul says - I’m glad you speak in tongues BUT prophesying more important! WHY?

1. PPL need plain interpretation of scripture

2. edify / building the church

3. Using God’s gifts to Glorify God

2. THE MISUNDERSTANDING 6-19

 V.6 Paul says - If you speak in a way no one can understand, what’s the point?

• Corinthians thought superior to other gifts (spiritual pride)

• Corinthians creating tensions / division in the congregation

• Corinthians church causing confusion

 V.12 Paul says - If you’re so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don’t you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?

• I met folks who thought they were more spiritual than other Christians because they could speak in tongues.

• I knew individuals who would speak in tongues at church, but didn’t live like a Christian during week.

• I’ve heard preaching that said if you didn’t speak in tongues, you did not have the Holy Spirit (NOT CORRECT)

 v.5 Paul wished ALL could speak in tongues! That mean some Christian did not have that particular Spiritual Gift

 V.19 - Paul says that he would rather speak 5 words that his hearers can understand than 10,000 that they cannot

• *The Corinthians were focused only on their own spirituality and they didn’t give a rip about others who desperately needed Jesus.

• Our attitude in church is crucial

3. WHATS REALLY IMPORTANT? 20-25

• v.20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding

• v.23 JESUS wants unlearned and unbelievers in HIS Church

• v.23 JESUS wants His church to be full of Love / not out of control

• v.24 JESUS wants PPL to KNOW Him / Thru HIS Word

• v.24 JESUS wants PPL to KNOW that their sin has SEPARATED them from HIM

• v.25 JESUS wants PPL to WORSHIP HIM

CONCLUSION

• Tongues was a highly coveted gift.. But the GREATEST Gift is JESUS CHRIST

• Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.