Speaking in Tongues

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Youth Group - 1pm

Living Flag rescheduled for this next Saturday 20th at 2pm & 7pm

Missional Opportunities:

Operation Christmas Child (due 11/14)

Helping Hands Gifts (tags due 12/5)

FMI Christmas Offering

*CHURCH UPDATES:

Digital and paper connect Card

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

Story on ___:

WHY?…

TODAY: Speaking a new language (glossolalia)

Tongues is not to be elitism!!

Spirit Baptism - from salvation onward

Spirit Empowerment (i.e. clothed with power) - subsequent to salvation

Spirit Filling - continual transformation and empowerment

Jesus Himself ministers the Holy Spirit’s fullness and is the Baptizer

Optional: Luke’s depiction of Spirit baptism is what is probably best termed “charismatic” while Paul’s is more soteriological (i.e. in Christ and thus participation with the divine life)…ultimately by studying both one sees that Spirit Baptism is an outpouring of divine love.

Opening Scripture: “new tongues”

Mark 16:14–18 ESV

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

5 Truths about speaking in a new language/tongues...

1. Speaking in tongues is an evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit

Some say it is “the evidence” but that cannot be proven beyond a doubt and therefore we do not make it the litmus test.

Scriptures on receiving Spirit empowerment with some being long after THE CHURCH IS ESTABLISHED: Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-19; 10:44-48; 19:1-6

Expect in faith that ALL can speak in tongues

1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV)

5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:39 (ESV)

39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Storing on speaking in tongues: I spoke in tongues for the first time right here in this room at 200 W. Washington St.

2. Tongue Speaking and interpretation of tongues are distinct, yet related

1 Corinthians 14:13 ESV

13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

If a word from is spoken to the congregation in a tongue it should be interpreted or else it is just for the tongue-speaker.

3. Tongues enables communication and praise to God

Tongues is not to confuse the unaccustomed or unbelieving while at the same time it is not forbidden because it is a way of expressing praise to God and a way of communication with God

1 Corinthians 14:2 (ESV)

2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:6–12 (ESV)

6 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? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 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. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

TONGUES AS PRAISE/THANKS:

1 Corinthians 14:17 (ESV)

17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

4. Tongues empowers spiritual life and self-edification

1 Corinthians 14:4 (ESV)

4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Jude 20 (ESV)

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)

16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

John 7:37–39 (ESV)

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

5. Tongues encompasses intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Romans 8:26–27 (ESV)

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 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.

CONCLUSION/RELFECTION

Pray to receive your spiritual language (empowerment too if you haven’t yet prayed to receive it)

Pray that you will know when to speak and when to keep silent.

Pray also for sincere love for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Reflect:

1 Corinthians: 13 Studies for Individuals or Groups Study 10: Priorities in Worship (1 Corinthians 14:1–40)

If Christians are to behave as Paul describes throughout 1 Corinthians 14, what attitudes must they bring to public worship?

FURTHER STUDY:

The Beauty of Spiritual Language by Jack Hayford

Baptized in the Spirit by Frank D. Macchia

OTHER:

xenolalia is the capacity to proclaim the good news in the languages of the nations.