Tongues and Interpretation

Prayer: For Wisdom, Understanding, and Revelation

Waymaker Church

Pastor Joel Wood

3.26.17

Series: Gifts of the Spirit

Message: Tongues and Interpretation

Intro:

Today we will conclude our study on the gifts of the Spirit. As we study about the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation. So far we have discovered the truths of God’s Word concerning 7 of the 9 spiritual Gifts and how they apply to our lives, and will add to our understanding the last two.

Word of Wisdom which is a revelation of divine counsel. It gives Supernatural insight into some particular need or problem, and brings practical application of God’s Word. Word of Knowledge which is not not natural knowledge based on your own understanding or studying. Also it doesn't come by experience or expertise in a Situation. The Gift of Faith is a miraculous faith that meets unusual opportunities. (Unshakeable Faith) The Gift of Healing is a physical revelation/manifestation of the Good Nature of God, not determined by the receiving persons faith, and a supernatural Sign that points people to God and his unfailing Love for them. The Working of Miracles: The working of Miracles are deeds of mighty supernatural power that produce results which glorify God and defeat Satan. Miracles are distinguished from healing’s in that miracles include a demonstration of God’s power in an unusual measure beyond the physical body. Miracles are supernatural events that occur outside the bounds of what is natural. By definition, they are rare and out of the ordinary To prophesy means to speak for God. Yet the gift is intended in the threefold purpose: for strengthening, encouragement and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3–4). This “edifies the church” (Acts 15:32). Discerning of Spirits This gift does one thing. It reveals the presence and identity of supernatural spirits. Tongues and Interpretation: "Supernatural utterance in a language never learned by the intellect." Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4); Interpretation through the Holy Spirit Revels the of the Heart of God for his people.

Submit:

In Acts 1 we see a promise from Jesus to the Apostles that they would receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon them. That they would we witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth. Acts 1:8.

There was power that would be poured out to equip the Church of Jesus Christ for its Mission of going into all the World and preaching the Gospel to every creature, and as they gathered together in the upper room and prayed together we see the Holy Spirit poured out on them at the Day of Pentecost. The manifestation of Tongues began to follow after the baptism.

Yet we see that God declared this outpouring long before it happened In Ezekiel 36:26-27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” and also in Joel 2:28-32. As there has been much conflict in denominations about tongues, we must remember that none of these people in the upper room had prior knowledge of what they would experience when the promise came. They were merely instructed to tarry (Wait) for the gift of promise. What followed was a direct result of men being filled with the Presence of the Holy Spirit.

Turn with me to Acts 2:1-4.

The Outpouring of the Spirit and what it means:

The moment of the promise has come and the Holy Spirit is poured out on all of those who were in the upper room. Divided Tongues of Fire sat on each of them and they were filled with the Spirit. Strong's G2523 in the following manner: sit (26x), sit down (14x), set (2x), be set (2x), be set down (2x), continue (1x), tarry (1x). to make to sit down, to set, appoint, to confer a kingdom on one, to have fixed one's abode, “But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him. Judges 6:34 Strong's H3847 to put on, be clothed with (Literally means God clothed himself with Gideon) Two things happened at the Day of Pentecost. Conference of Power of the Kingdom of God where God would now though the Spirit be clothed with his People, and the Habitation of the Presence of God with his People. Since the Garden of Eden God desired to still be with man. Throughout Genesis we see him reveal himself to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Moses. God met with Moses on Mount Sinai gave directions for the tent of meeting, he gave directions for the eventual temple. God would have the opportunity to be among his people. In Acts 2 Fire appeared above their heads. Fire represents God and the Holy Spirit Throughout the Scripture. The Prophet Ezekiel Describes the Lord in Ez. 8:2, “Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire—from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber.” Hebrews 12:29 , “For our God is a consuming fire.”

As we see the Spirit being poured out in Acts we see that They begin to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. I believe there are variances in the Gift of tongues, and they need to be distinguished. In this portion of Scripture we see that the tongues that were spoken by the Spirit were for the edification of those who heard.

Look at Acts 2:5-13

COPORATE EDIFICATION

They all heard in their own languages those who were baptized speaking in tongues the wonderful works of God. Yet we also see in 1 Cor. 14 a personal use of tongues.

Apply:

Personal Edification

Turn with me to 1 Cor. 14:1-5

The Apostle Paul tells us that the one who Speaks in tongues

does not speak to men but to God, that in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. He builds himself up. When you pray in tongues your Spirit Prays, but you do not understand. Tongues are for a Sign to the unbeliever, that as their is accompanying interpretation he is convinced by all, and convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 1 Cor. 14: 24-25 Tongues as a personal Prayer Language helps aid us when we don't know what to Pray. Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

I Believe that it is still possible today for God to reveal himself through tongues and interpretation. It can also reveal himself through tongues and speak to a people group in their native language through a person who does not know the language.

We must remember that God is a Supernatural God and he is not confined to our understanding, or earthly wisdom. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” 1 Cor. 1:27

Closing:

Tongues and Interpretation are both signs for the unbeliever and for the building up of the individual as he speaks both mysteries, and the Spirit makes intercession for the saints (Those who believe in Jesus Christ). Tongues is valuable gift to the believer! Interpretation is valuable to both the believer and the unbeliever. Next week we will look more in depth on how these gifts are to operate within the context of the Corporate Church Services. My Desire is that the Spirit of God would flow freely in our services. That people of all ages would have powerful encounters with the Lord Jesus Christ the would mark them all the days of their lives!

Let’s Pray