WEBVTT 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:09.359 All right, so I just am honored and I feel privileged to be able to stand before you this morning and to bring to you the word of God. 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:13.599 And so we're gonna look at 1 Corinthians chapter 14 in just a minute. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:21.440 So each and every one of the pastors uh are going to be giving a special sermon over the next couple of months. 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:27.359 And that sermon is going to be based on whatever the Lord puts on our hearts for the church itself. 00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:30.399 So we're calling this series Pastor's Choice. 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:33.039 Yeah. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:39.439 I didn't, I didn't uh I did approve of it, but I didn't do it. 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:46.719 So anyway, uh so it's my privilege to kick this series off this morning, and I really look forward to doing that. 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:51.439 Um I am going to be talking to you about something that's really exciting to me. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:01:01.280 Um after receiving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, the second greatest gift that I've been given from God is the ability to speak in tongues. 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:02.479 To speak in tongues. 00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:05.040 And so we're gonna, yes, we're gonna go there this morning. 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:08.480 We're gonna look at the scriptures, we're gonna understand it from the scriptures. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:18.480 I'm gonna ask that you please put out of your head any kind of um misperceptions or misconceptions or uh, you know, misunderstandings, whatever the case might be. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:22.640 And let's let the word really teach us about this all-important gift. 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:24.159 Are you ready for that this morning? 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:30.640 All right, so let's look at again, 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verses 1 through 18. 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:33.760 And I'm reading this in its context. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:38.480 There's no way that we're gonna have time to get into all that's loaded into these verses. 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:43.599 I'm gonna be specifically talking about the personal use of the gift of tongues. 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:52.079 And obviously, we know that there also is the public use of tongues, which must be accompanied by interpretation of that tongue, right? 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:55.519 And so that is the gift of the Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12. 00:01:55.519 --> 00:02:01.200 There's lots of great things that you can learn about that, but we just don't have the time this morning to really delve into it. 00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:11.919 So let's focus in on the personal use of this amazing gift as uh described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verses 1 through 18. 00:02:11.919 --> 00:02:15.360 So let the water of the word wash over you this morning. 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:22.560 Pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:27.280 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:31.759 For no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the spirit. 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:38.879 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:46.000 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:50.719 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:57.840 The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 00:02:57.840 --> 00:03:06.400 Again, that's describing the tongues, the gift of tongues and the interpretive interpretation of tongues that happens in public settings. 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:15.199 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:24.000 If even lifeless instruments such as the flute or the harp do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:29.120 And if the bugle gives it an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:36.560 So with yourselves, if your with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:39.039 For you will be speaking into the air. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:50.960 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker a foreigner to me. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:58.719 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the spirit, try strive to excel in building up the church. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:03.199 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:07.439 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:08.560 What am I to do? 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:12.479 I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:17.199 I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 00:04:17.199 --> 00:04:26.879 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say amen to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:32.079 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:37.199 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:39.519 Wow, what a statement. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:41.040 Let's pray this morning. 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:43.040 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:48.639 And Lord, we thank you that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above. 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:58.879 And so, Lord, we thank you that you have given us so many great gifts and we we celebrate the diversity of gifts that you give to your children. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:12.800 And Lord, today we're we're honing in, we're focusing in on one particular gift, which is the gift of speaking in tongues, specifically as it is uh informs our personal prayer life and our communion with you. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:22.879 And so, Father, we ask that you would open our hearts, open our minds, clear us of misconceptions, of confusions, of lies or deceptions that we have felt. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:31.839 Father, break down any barriers that we might have to understanding this rich and precious gift that you have given to your children. 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:39.920 We ask that you cause these words to come alive and that you, by your spirit, would do the work that only you can do in each of our lives. 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:42.079 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:43.040 Amen. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:56.240 About 25 years ago, after a series of very difficult things happened in my life and my family life with my extended family, I had a nervous breakdown. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.360 And I'm talking about a complete nervous breakdown. 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:07.680 I could not think straight, I could not drive, I could not play with my kids, I could hardly carry on a conversation with my wife. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:11.040 I was completely stuck in my head. 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:13.759 And I was there for quite some time. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:17.439 It was several days and even probably led into weeks. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:24.160 And sometimes I would have moments of clarity, but then I would go right back into this state of stupor, sort of. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:27.279 And I don't know if any of you have ever experienced anything like that. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:29.920 If you have not, I'm not wishing it upon you. 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:34.639 If you have, you'll you can understand or relate to what I'm talking about this morning. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:53.040 One of the things that held me together when I felt like I was coming apart in so many ways was the ability that God gave me to be able to pray in another language that didn't originate from my brain, but originated from my heart, from my spirit. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:07:09.279 And as I was able to pray in that language and bypass my mind, I was able to maintain a personal relationship and communion with God, even when I wasn't able to pick up a Bible and read and discern the pages, the words on the pages. 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:21.839 And so for me, understandably so, because of my experience, this particular gift holds a very prominent place in my understanding of my relationship with God. 00:07:21.839 --> 00:07:29.920 And I just believe that it's it's something that God desires for more than just me to be able to experience and participate with. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.040 And we're gonna see that. 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:35.120 We've seen that from this passage in 1 Corinthians 14, and we're gonna see that more. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:37.920 The Greek word for tongues is glossal. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:42.480 I had it right. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:50.160 And uh it's good because when you're saying it, it sounds like you're speaking in tongues. 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:52.560 You know, so it's like a little primer. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.079 Anyway. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:56.560 But let me give you a definition for what it is. 00:07:56.560 --> 00:08:11.600 Speaking in tongues is the God-given ability to speak in a language unknown to the one speaking, I don't know it, for the purpose of blessing God, being a blessing to others, and building yourself up. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:16.160 So that's what speaking in tongues, that's what Glosalalia means. 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:20.000 It means to speak in a language that is unknown to you. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:34.000 And the purpose of speaking this language is to bless God, to bless others, again, if there's an interpretation that comes with the tongue that is spoken, and also to edify oneself, to edify yourself or to build yourself up. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:36.720 Does that sound like something you we should be interested in? 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:38.080 Absolutely right. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:41.200 So let me just get this out of the out of the way. 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:52.559 How many of you have heard or even in your own mind have had some kind of a caricature built up of what it means to be filled with the Spirit and what it means to be able to speak in tongues? 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:53.360 Right? 00:08:53.360 --> 00:09:00.559 I mean, there's all kinds of ways that people view this that is it that are unhealthy ways, right? 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:05.759 Believe it or not, even though I speak in tongues, I still tied my own my own shoelaces this morning. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:08.240 I drove my car on the way here. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:15.200 I hold down a job most days, and I and I rarely ever drool. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:20.240 Um and I also speak in tongues, right? 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:28.080 I don't mean to be silly or sarcastic, but it is just like this particular gift of the Spirit has a terrible public image. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:42.159 When people think about this, when people view it, even I believe Satan in his sinister ways has attempted to uh declassify it or remove its importance from Christian life and from spiritual life in whatever way he possibly can. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:51.759 And if he can make it something that we're afraid of or something that is way out there like Twilight Zone, then he wants to do that, right? 00:09:51.759 --> 00:10:00.879 Now we can't help necessarily the public image that tongues has, but we should encourage ourselves by the scriptures, right? 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:04.639 We should set our doctrine based on the scriptures. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:09.360 Our experience should back up what the scriptures say, right? 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:16.320 So many times in life people want their experiences to happen and then the scripture to back up their experiences. 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:21.440 But we know in God that scripture is preeminent, is at the forefront, right? 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:27.600 And whatever happens in our experience should be built out of doctrine that we have found in the Word of God. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:32.559 So we're gonna look at that this morning, and then we're also gonna talk about the experience side of it. 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:46.960 Um, so I'm hoping that all of us can form our beliefs this morning more clearly, more fully, based on this precious gift from a loving Heavenly Father who cares so much about each and every one of us. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:52.240 To properly understand this gift, I think it's important for us to do a short history lesson. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:59.279 Now, I'm not a history teacher, and uh, so uh there are some among us who are, and thank you for doing that work. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:04.639 I'm just gonna try my best, and I'm gonna talk about the history of language, right? 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:10.159 So when God created the heavens and the earth, we know that he created Adam and Eve, and he placed them in the garden. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:13.039 And what did they have the ability to do? 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:15.679 They had the ability to communicate. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:21.440 They had the ability to communicate with each other, but more importantly, to communicate with God. 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:26.320 It says that God walked and talked with them in the cool of the day in the garden. 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:30.559 Can you imagine what perfect communion they must have experienced? 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:38.799 We just partook of the table together, but to be able to sit and stand and walk with God and talk with him. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:44.559 Unfortunately, as we all know, or maybe you don't yet know, but there was something that happened. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:46.799 There was disobedience that occurred in the garden. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:56.000 Adam and Eve broke God's law, and because of that, they were cursed and banished from the Garden of Eden, along with all of their descendants. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:01.279 And so there was the same language, though, that was still spoken until Genesis chapter 11. 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:04.000 Can you remember what happened in Genesis chapter 11? 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:16.559 They had this building project going on, and that all of the people were in agreement, and they decided we're gonna build a tower that's gonna reach the heavens, and basically we're gonna make ourselves like God. 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:19.759 And God showed up on the scene, and what did he do? 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.399 He confused their languages. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:33.840 He confused their languages, and so that's where, if you want to know where you know, all of the ethnicity, all of the different languages on the earth came from, that was the origination of that. 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:35.600 And who originated it? 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.799 God did it. 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:40.000 He was the one who was in control of language. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:45.840 We also know that um there uh so what was the intention of the people of Babel? 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:51.840 Their intention was to make a name for themselves and thus to replace God in their hearts. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:54.960 How many of you know pride is the birthplace of sin? 00:12:54.960 --> 00:13:06.559 And fallen man has decided to use every advantage, including language, right, to usurp God's authority and place himself upon the throne, which is not rightfully his. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:17.360 So after God confused their languages and scattered them around the earth, he chose one people with one language to bring him glory and draw mankind back to himself. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:22.159 Abram, later called Abraham, was the one who God promised to bless. 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:25.600 He was going to bless all nations through him, right? 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:33.120 And eventually through the nation of Israel, the Hebrew language was used to communicate God's word to the nations. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:41.600 However, the rest of the world did not speak this language or understand it, and they continued to remain ignorant of God's plan of redemption. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:43.360 Now, when did that change? 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.639 Do you remember? 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:52.559 Fast forward, Jesus came, all of the things that we just talked about around communion happened, and Jesus told his disciples to do what? 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:59.279 To go to Jerusalem and to wait for the promise of the Father that he was going to send the Holy Spirit, right? 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:07.039 And the Holy Spirit was not going to just dwell with them like Jesus had dwelled with them, dwelt with them, but he was going to dwell in them. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:09.279 He was going to move inside, right? 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.879 God in us. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:13.600 And so what happened on the day of Pentecost? 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.200 They were gathered together in the upper room. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:17.679 I think there was about 120 of them. 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:28.320 And the Bible says that there was a wind that came through that room, and then tongues as of fire sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:28.960 And what? 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:34.000 And they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:36.000 As the Spirit gave them utterance. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.720 Now, the crowd that was outside, they spilled out into the streets out of the upper room. 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:43.840 And the crowd that was on the outside said, What? 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:47.279 These people are crazy. 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:47.840 See? 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:50.159 Tongues from the very beginning. 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:54.559 People are assuming something of it that is not accurate, that is not true. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.679 These people are crazy. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:57.519 They're not only crazy, they're drunk. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:01.840 And Peter speaks up and says, These men are not drunk as you suppose. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:04.480 I think it was only like nine o'clock in the morning, right? 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:08.000 And said they are filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:10.399 And here's the beautiful part. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:20.320 When the Holy Spirit began to speak through these people, languages that they did not understand themselves or learn themselves, what did the people in the crowd hear? 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:25.600 They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in their own language. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:36.000 So God, in one fell swoop, undid all of the cursing that happened at Babel and the removing of people based on language. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:42.639 And now in this new situation, new scenario in the spirit, he's bringing people back together. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:44.080 Isn't that exciting? 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:48.639 Now in heaven, an innumerable group. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.039 Can you picture heaven with me this morning? 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:54.399 All of the saints who have gone before us are there. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:56.159 An innumerable group. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:59.120 You can't count it, you can't even imagine it. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:12.399 People from every nation, every tribe, and every tongue are joining together to praise God with one language, with one heart, with one spirit. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:14.080 And I don't believe it's English. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:17.840 I'm just saying, as difficult as English is to learn, I don't think it's English. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:20.799 But anyway, whatever the language is, it's a perfect language. 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:26.320 It's the language of heaven, and they are speaking to God and they are understanding each other. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:28.159 And that's where tongues will cease. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:39.600 Some of you, some of you have learned in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 8 through 10, it said it talks about when that which is perfect will come, that which is imperfect, there will no longer be a need for it. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:52.879 And so uh people have have thought that that meant that when the Bible was completed, when the canon of scripture was completed, then there would be no need for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and especially no need for the ability to speak in tongues, right? 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:58.000 I don't believe, and and we as a leadership team don't believe that that's what the scripture teaches. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:07.599 We believe that that's a verse or two verses pulled out of context to fit a way of thinking, a philosophy of thinking, which is not in line with the rest of scripture. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.160 Okay. 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:15.440 So if you've heard that, I'm just telling you, let's let's be open to the truth that is found in God's word. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:20.720 Um, the intention of the spiritual gifts of tongues, again, is to glorify God now. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:28.319 We get to glorify him now, but also to prepare ourselves as his church to glorify him forever in heaven. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:34.400 And eventually when he returns to this earth, we will be with him and we will get to glorify him. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:38.559 So let's start with what scripture does not teach about speaking in tongues. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.200 Are you ready? 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:45.519 This is what it does not teach that a person is not filled with the spirit if they don't speak in tongues. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:52.960 Some of us grew up in those churches that believed that there was there were first-tier Christians and then there were second-tier Christians. 00:17:52.960 --> 00:18:05.279 The first tier Christians were all of those that were filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and the second-tier Christians were all of those who were to be pitied who didn't understand this, and we didn't even know if they were really saved, right? 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:14.640 I mean, we may not have ever said that like out loud, but I remember many sermons that said something about those Baptists or those Methodists, you know. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:19.839 And it wasn't it wasn't said in a delightful way, like we love those people. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:23.200 It was more like those poor Baptists and those poor Methodists. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:34.960 And I'm sure that in Baptists and Methodist uh, you know, assemblies that there were times when they said, those poor Pentecostals, those poor charismatics, you know, we don't even know if they're saved, right? 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:40.319 So uh this this is not it, we don't have a corner on the market here, right? 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.920 So that a person is not filled with the spirit if they don't speak in tongues. 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:50.799 In fact, it seems to indicate in 1 Corinthians 12, 30, that not all will be given this particular gift. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:52.960 There are many gifts of the Spirit. 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:57.599 The Spirit distributes those gifts as He wills to the body, right? 00:18:57.599 --> 00:19:02.559 And those who speak in tongues must be careful to never judge those who don't. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:04.240 Amen? 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:06.000 It's important. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.279 So let's start with that. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:10.400 Secondly, a person is this is a lie. 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:13.839 A person is more spiritual if they speak in tongues. 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:16.480 A person is more spiritual if they speak in tongues. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:21.599 Paul takes a whole chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, to tell about those who are the most spiritual. 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.799 And who are they? 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:28.079 The ones who love, the ones who love God and love others. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:35.839 That is the greatest display of spirituality on this planet is when we share the love of God with others. 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.920 So it doesn't make us more spiritual. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:41.920 Another thing is that a person who speaks in tongues is weird. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:46.799 Now, listen, I can't help personality. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:50.720 Don't blame personality on the Holy Spirit, right? 00:19:50.720 --> 00:20:01.039 Uh, you know, each of us are unique and we're uniquely made and we have our own, you know, character traits and personality and all of that, but you don't have to be weird in order to speak in tongues. 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:06.079 On the contrary, Paul speaks of this gift using very normal terms. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:10.240 He doesn't say, no, wait a minute, fasten your seat belts. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:14.319 We're getting ready to in the chariot, you know. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:32.960 Anyway, but it's no indication anywhere in the Bible that people who speak in tongues lose self-control or become unaware of their surroundings or lapse into a frenzied condition with frothing and uh lose self-consciousness and the power for rational thinking goes away. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.400 Right? 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:40.319 Paul insists that the one speaking in tongues can start and stop at will. 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:43.680 How could you do that if you are out of your mind? 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.480 Right? 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:46.799 You can start and stop and will. 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:52.559 There's a vast difference between being weird and having an emotional experience. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:58.079 Sometimes the gift of tongues or speaking in tongues leads to heightened emotion. 00:20:58.079 --> 00:21:04.319 Sometimes it leads to joy, sometimes it leads to exuberance, sometimes it brings peace. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:07.200 Sometimes you experience the love of God. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:10.480 All of these things are good things, right? 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:18.400 They're great aspects of this gift that God gives to us, but none of them are what are what is classified as weird. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.279 Okay. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:28.079 Now listen, I talked about those who do speak in tongues, not treating those who don't improperly, but listen to this as well. 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:34.000 Those who don't speak in tongues should celebrate the fact that God uses others in this way. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:37.279 Right? 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.880 It's not a litmus test. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:46.480 It shouldn't be a litmus test for us, whether or not we can be in fellowship with somebody else, whether they do speak in tongues or they don't speak in tongues. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:48.400 So that's what scripture doesn't teach. 00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.839 What does scripture teach? 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.759 Let's look at that for a few minutes. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:55.920 When a person speaks in tongues, God knows what they're saying. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:59.599 The speaker doesn't understand what they're saying. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:02.240 But God knows what they're saying. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:06.720 God knows the language because he gave the language, right? 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:13.599 It says here again in our passage, for one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:18.880 For no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the spirit. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:33.440 What an honor, what a privilege to be able to speak a language given by God that when I pray it, I'm speaking to him in a way that he understands completely. 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:36.880 Now, I'm a person that tends to be fairly analytical. 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:39.839 In other words, I want to figure out how things work, right? 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:48.079 I do have the ability to have faith based on um, you know, just trusting God and outside of what I can think in my own mind. 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:55.759 Um, but when I pray in the Spirit, thankfully, I'm able to bypass the analytical side of myself, right? 00:22:55.759 --> 00:23:06.319 The Holy Spirit is speaking through me, and I can be guaranteed that I am praying God's perfect will, even though I have no idea what I'm saying. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:08.880 It's God's perfect will. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:11.599 It could be a language of this earth. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:17.119 You know, my wife, sometimes when she's praying in her prayer language, she uses the word corazón. 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:21.680 And if you any of you speak Spanish, you know that corazón means what? 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.559 Heart. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.519 Means heart. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:26.240 My wife doesn't know Spanish, but she uses that word. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:34.559 God gave her that word as part of the language makeup of her spiritual language, the language that God gave her as she speaks in tongues. 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:41.039 Um, it could be a language of earth, or it could be a language of heaven, or it could be a combination. 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:44.559 We don't need to try to figure that out, right? 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:48.720 The key is it's a gift from God that He gives to us. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:55.039 I remember when I first received the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and I was, I began to speak in tongues. 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:59.039 I was about five or six years old, and my dad was praying over me. 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:03.440 I had asked about it because I was learning about it in church, and everybody around me was praying in tongues. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.880 This was in the 70s. 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.559 In the 70s, it was wild. 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:09.039 I can't, I don't even have the time to describe. 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:11.039 It wasn't weird, but it was borderline. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:16.240 You know, it's like there was a lot going on in the 70s and uh even in church life. 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:22.799 And so um, I went home and I was asking my parents about it, and I said, Dad, I really want to, I want to be able to speak in tongues. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:24.720 I want to receive this gift. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:35.759 And so they he began to pray for me, and nothing was coming, and my mind was sort of fighting or wrestling with this idea of me being able to just open my mouth and speak something that I had never learned before. 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:38.319 You know, I was I was resisting it. 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:44.720 And my brother, who was like, he was two and a half years younger than me, so he must have been about three years old at the time or four. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:49.279 Uh, he goes, Tyler, you do it like this, and he just starts blurting out. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:54.000 And I'm like, God, that's not fair. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:57.920 He didn't even ask for it, you know. 00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:03.519 So then my dad and I went in the other room, and I really got quiet and still before the Lord and began to talk to him. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:07.759 And before long, this heavenly language began to come. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:10.799 And I opened my mouth and began to speak. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:16.640 And uh, since that day, that's been with me, and I'm so grateful for this gift. 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:18.240 So that's one thing. 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:24.960 Speaking in tongues, another thing that is is in the Word of God is that speaking in tongues is a way to build yourself up. 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:27.759 How many of you need to encourage yourself? 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:33.680 If you don't believe so, if you don't believe that's true, we need to check your pulse, okay? 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:35.519 All of us need encouragement. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:37.359 Remember what we started this year out with? 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:41.599 Sharpened Christians are best equipped for crisis. 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:48.799 And this is one of the means that God has given us for us to be sharpened in our ability to uh to be ready. 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:55.279 So uh it says here in our passage, the one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:26:09.039 Now I know this can feel like self-serving or self-centered, um, but if you're here this morning, you're hoping, and my prayers are with you too, that you're going to be edified or built up by the sermon that I'm preaching this morning, right? 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:18.799 Sometimes we listen to music that's encouraging to us, or we read our Bibles, or we we listen to a sermon online, or we, you know, a ton of different things. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:27.839 In Jude verse 20, it says that we can build ourselves up on our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:32.400 When I pray in the Holy Spirit on a regular basis, I feel strengthened. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:39.680 I feel an increase of strength in my heart, and that translates to the rest of me, right? 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:45.599 Either gift, every gift of the spirit, either directly or indirectly, builds up its user. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:47.200 That's part of the purpose of it. 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:51.359 It's not evil to uh to desire to be built up. 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:54.880 The fact that the ultimate purpose of gifts is for the common good. 00:26:54.880 --> 00:27:00.960 If you read 1 Corinthians 12, the gifts of the Spirit ultimately are to be a blessing to others, right? 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:06.319 That is true, absolutely true, but that does not take away that there's a secondary effect. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:13.279 And the secondary effect, especially with tongues, is that it does edify us or build us up. 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:20.319 Um, and Paul would not have encouraged us if that wasn't true, he wouldn't have encouraged us in in chapter 14, verse 5. 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:23.039 Now I want you all to speak in tongues. 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:27.359 His desire is was that everybody would speak in tongues. 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:28.720 That's my desire as well. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.240 Now that's it's up to God. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:34.319 He's sovereign, he's ultimately in charge, and he can make the decision. 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:40.559 But if I could make the decision for you, I would want you to have this amazing gift. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:50.160 And it is uninterpreted tongues that he has in mind, for he contrasts it with prophecy, insisting that the latter is better suited to edify others. 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:58.559 So one of the things that I do on a regular basis, in fact, I try to do this every night, is to fall asleep praying in tongues. 00:27:58.559 --> 00:28:03.359 I just, that's one of the practices that I've done for as long as I can remember. 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:06.079 I say my prayers in English. 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:09.039 I uh do my time of being thankful. 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:13.279 I give myself a few minutes to find things to be thankful for. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:16.319 And then I practice praying in tongues. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:25.359 And it's one of the most beautiful ways to fall into sleep and to uh sometimes the Lord even, it's like it carries over into my sleep and into my dreams. 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:30.880 Um, his presence, like him speaking to me as well, not just through me. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:39.519 So just encourage you to find ways, if you have this gift, to practice it, and if you don't have it, to desire it and to ask for it. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:47.359 So uh another thing the Bible teaches is that tongue speech or speaking in tongues is primarily primarily a form of prayer, right? 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:55.119 How many of you have had this experience where you have prayed as much as you can pray in English and yet you still don't feel like you've covered it all? 00:28:55.119 --> 00:29:01.839 Or maybe you just know, like, I need to pray for this person, but you have no idea what you're supposed to pray for them. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:04.880 That's one of the things that the Holy Spirit does. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:11.599 It says again in 1 Corinthians 14, for if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.799 What am I to do? 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:17.599 I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:27.359 So with both, I'll I'll pray in the spirit with tongues, and I will also pray in my language that I'm given, or my language that I understand. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.720 I'll do both, right? 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:33.759 It's a means of communicating with God in supplication, petition, and intercession. 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:38.079 It's not the only way to pray, but it is a legitimate way to pray. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:40.079 So let me give you a couple of examples. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:47.839 Speaking in tongues is not is a way of compensating for our weakness and ignorance in praying for ourselves and others. 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:53.039 I've told this story before, but just for the sake of this point, I want to just mention it to you here. 00:29:53.039 --> 00:30:00.640 We had some friends that we met when I was in real estate, and we were working with the Lord to encourage them to know Jesus. 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:09.039 They became Christians, and um, then the the lady had surgery on her nose, uh like on our nasal passages. 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:13.359 And um, her husband and I were at Walmart, and we got a phone call. 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:22.079 My wife was over with this lady, kind of helping take care of her kids, and and just and uh and the phone call is we need you home now. 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:25.680 Now, I don't know how you are, if you're built for this or not. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:30.319 When I hear those kinds of words in that kind of tone, my knees start shaking. 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:32.319 I I get nervous, yeah. 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:38.960 And so we get there, and um, you know, first thing I say is, have you called the ambulance, right? 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:48.160 And so the ambulance is on its way, but I go into the room where this Lisa's her name was, and she was like profusely bleeding. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:51.119 I don't know how you do with blood. 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:52.799 I'm not I'm not a fan. 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:54.480 I mean, I'm thankful for it. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:58.960 I need it, but I don't want to see your blood or my own. 00:30:58.960 --> 00:31:05.759 Like I tell when I go to get my blood drawn, I tell the lady drawing my blood, I'm a I'm a big baby boy. 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:10.000 So anything you can do to distract me would be helpful. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.759 And I'm not gonna look, right? 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:15.680 So, but anyway, she's just and she's frantic. 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:20.559 She's realizing something is very wrong, right? 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:23.920 So I go over to her, she and she goes, pray. 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:27.359 Oh yeah, that's right. 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:28.640 I can pray. 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:33.680 So I go over to her and I I start, I lay my hands on her and I start praying for her. 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:40.480 And I'm like stumbling with my words because I'm overwhelmed with the feelings of anxiety and nervousness. 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:43.119 And all of a sudden, I didn't know what to do. 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:45.200 And I'm thinking in my head, don't do it, don't do it. 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.559 She doesn't know about it. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:50.480 And I began to pray in tongues out loud. 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:56.079 And within just a few seconds, I'm not joking, within just a few seconds, she calmed down. 00:31:56.079 --> 00:32:00.160 In fact, I like opened my eyes to look at her to make sure she was still breathing, you know. 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:02.319 That's where my faith level was. 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:12.160 She was breathing fine, she was breathing well, and the blood had stopped coming from her nose. 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:23.920 The ambulance came and took her away, and it wasn't until several weeks later, maybe even longer, she we were sitting at the table with them, and she looked at me and she goes, Tyler, what was that thing you were doing? 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:28.400 And I said, That's pretty vague. 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:29.440 What do you mean? 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:33.759 And she goes, you know, when you came in and you were praying for me, you started doing something. 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:36.640 And I said, uh, praying in tongues? 00:32:36.640 --> 00:32:39.680 She said, What? 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.400 Praying in. 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:45.759 And she said, Seriously, what was it? 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:48.160 I said, Well, I was praying in tongues. 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:54.000 And she said, Whenever you started, this overwhelming peace came over me. 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:57.279 And I knew that I was gonna be okay. 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.559 Right? 00:32:58.559 --> 00:33:01.119 So again, this is just an example. 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:02.480 I didn't know how to pray. 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:09.599 I had run out of my ability and my humanness to be able to pray in faith for her, but the spirit himself knew. 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:12.880 And Galatians 8, verse 26, it says it like this. 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:17.920 Likewise, the spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought. 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:23.119 But the spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:31.359 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the spirit, because the spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:34.160 The Spirit knows what's needed. 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:38.640 The Holy Spirit knew what Lisa needed in that moment was peace. 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:45.680 And he's, and the God of all peace, the God of all comfort, used that moment to minister to her. 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:51.599 So, another aspect of prayer, a case could also be made for the use of tongues in spiritual warfare. 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:56.640 I have so many stories that I'd love to go into about casting out demons and things like that. 00:33:56.640 --> 00:34:07.200 And one of the one of the key elements of that experience is the ability at times to pray authoritatively using the gift of tongues. 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:18.639 Ephesians 6.18 says, praying that all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication to that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. 00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:26.320 So the ability to pray in tongues in a moment of spiritual warfare can be very helpful as well. 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:30.559 Tongue speech or speaking in tongues is also a form of praise. 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:48.960 How many of you have experienced, you don't have to raise your hands, but how many of you have experienced the joy of singing in the Spirit, singing in the language that God has given you is one of the most expressive ways that we can say to God, I love you, I worship you, I honor you, I adore you. 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:53.440 Paul envisions using this gift to bless the person and works of God. 00:34:53.440 --> 00:35:02.880 In Acts 2, those who heard the disciples praying in tongues heard them giving thanks to God in their own languages, giving thanks to God. 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:10.159 A lot of times when somebody does give a message in tongues and there's an interpretation of tongues, it's it's directed Godward. 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:14.400