The Elephant Speaks Tongues… - You must! - You better not!

The ElephantThe Elephant

SpeaksSpeaks

Tongues…Tongues…

- You must!- You must!- You better not!- You better not!

Experiences withExperiences withSpeaking in tonguesSpeaking in tongues

Ideas about itIdeas about itStrong feelings for someStrong feelings for some

Wondering for othersWondering for others

What God did with tonguesWhat God did with tonguesIn the early churchIn the early church

Has great bearing on howHas great bearing on howYou live as a believer todayYou live as a believer today

Who has been a partWho has been a partOf directing your life?Of directing your life?

What did they say to you?What did they say to you?

You have greater power in a life- You have greater power in a life- or a group- than you knowor a group- than you know

For it to be a blessing, it must beFor it to be a blessing, it must beDirected and empowered by Directed and empowered by

God's SpiritGod's Spirit

Jerusalem is crowdedJerusalem is crowded

Jews from all over the Jews from all over the Known world have gatheredKnown world have gatheredTo worship during PentecostTo worship during Pentecost

Jesus has ascendedJesus has ascendedDisciples are scared, upper roomDisciples are scared, upper room

120 of them120 of them yet aloneyet aloneEvery creak, every door openEvery creak, every door open

And they’re prayingAnd they’re praying

Sound of ferocious wind Sound of ferocious wind From heaven From heaven

Tongues Tongues as of fireas of fire fall and fall and Separate and rest on each oneSeparate and rest on each one

They were all filled with They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and…?the Holy Spirit and…?

……began to speak in other began to speak in other tonguestongues as the Spirit gave as the Spirit gave them utterancethem utterance

Glossalia= languagesGlossalia= languages

Loud.Violent.SoundLoud.Violent.SoundOf rushing windOf rushing wind

Draws huge crowdDraws huge crowd

The believers walk outsideThe believers walk outsideAnd start preachingAnd start preaching

And at this sound the multitude And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were came together, and they were bewildered, because each one bewildered, because each one

was hearing them was hearing them speak speak in his own languagein his own language

And they were And they were amazed and amazed and astonished,astonished, saying, "Are saying, "Are not all these who are not all these who are speaking speaking Galileans?"Galileans?"

Haters gonna hateHaters gonna hate

Haters gonna hateHaters gonna hate"You dudes drinking the cheap "You dudes drinking the cheap stuff these days?"stuff these days?"

Dude, it’s just 9 AM! Dude, it’s just 9 AM! #JesusGivesGoodWine#JesusGivesGoodWine

So far…So far…God has used the sound of windGod has used the sound of wind

And languages of menAnd languages of menTo draw a crowdTo draw a crowd

And authenticate a messageAnd authenticate a message

Peter then preaches/prophesiesPeter then preaches/prophesiesAnd 3,000 people becomeAnd 3,000 people becomeFollowers of "The Way"Followers of "The Way"

Without tonguesWithout tongues

Tongues is used to help peopleTongues is used to help peopleCome to FaithCome to Faith

Don't see tongues againDon't see tongues againTill Acts 10Till Acts 10

Peter and CorneliusPeter and Cornelius

In Acts, tongues are a In Acts, tongues are a signsignOf God's activity andOf God's activity and

God's acceptance:God's acceptance:Jews, Gentiles, John's DisciplesJews, Gentiles, John's Disciples

God uses tongues to:God uses tongues to:

- Preach truth- Preach truth- Point to Jesus (sign)- Point to Jesus (sign)- Promote unity among believers- Promote unity among believers

Fast-forward 30 yearsFast-forward 30 years

The Corinthian CatastropheThe Corinthian CatastropheMetro city, pagan convertsMetro city, pagan convertsBringing pagan practicesBringing pagan practicesGifts begin to cause problemsGifts begin to cause problems

Now concerning spiritual gifts, Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you brothers, I do not want you

to be uninformed….to be uninformed….

Now there are varieties of gifts, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the but the same Spirit; same Spirit; and there and there are varieties of service, but the are varieties of service, but the same Lord…same Lord…

……and there are varieties of and there are varieties of activities, but it is activities, but it is the same God the same God

who empowers them all who empowers them all in everyonein everyone

To each is given the To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit manifestation of the Spirit for the common goodfor the common good




For to one is given through the For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, Spirit the utterance of wisdom,

and to another the utterance of and to another the utterance of knowledge according to knowledge according to

the same Spiritthe same Spirit

……to another faith to another faith by the same by the same Spirit,Spirit, to another gifts of healing to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,by the one Spirit, to another to another the working of miracles, the working of miracles, to another prophecy…to another prophecy…

……to another the ability to to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to distinguish between spirits, to

another another various kinds of tongues, various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation to another the interpretation

of tonguesof tongues

All these are empowered by All these are empowered by one one and the same Spirit,and the same Spirit, who who apportions to each one apportions to each one individually individually as he willsas he wills

Gifts unify under our KingGifts unify under our King

What you have, God gaveWhat you have, God gave

- Humility- Humility- Gratitude, not jealousy- Gratitude, not jealousy- Responsibility toward - Responsibility toward Fellow believersFellow believers

For just as the body is one and For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the has many members, and all the

members of the body, though members of the body, though many, are one body, many, are one body,

so it is with Christso it is with Christ

ForFor in one Spirit in one Spirit we were all we were all baptized baptized into one body-into one body- Jews or Jews or Greeks, slaves or free- and all Greeks, slaves or free- and all were made to drink were made to drink of one Spiritof one Spirit

Spirit's work= unity of believersSpirit's work= unity of believers

Now Now you areyou are the body of Christ the body of Christ and individually members of itand individually members of it




And God has appointed in the And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second church first apostles, second prophets, third teachersprophets, third teachers

then miracles, then gifts of then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, healing, helping, administrating,

and various kinds of tonguesand various kinds of tongues

Are all apostles? Are all Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? gifts of healing? Do all speak Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?with tongues? Do all interpret?

But earnestly desire the higher But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a gifts. And I will show you a

still more excellent waystill more excellent way

1 Cor. 13= Love Chapter1 Cor. 13= Love ChapterNot marriage, Gifts in the churchNot marriage, Gifts in the church

So far…So far…Tongues point to JesusTongues point to Jesus

Tongues unify/common goodTongues unify/common goodNot everyone has themNot everyone has themSeek the Greater GiftsSeek the Greater Gifts

If I speak in the tongues of men If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, and of angels, but have not love,

I am a noisy gong or a I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbalclanging cymbal

Prophesy, Knowledge, WisdomProphesy, Knowledge, WisdomFaith, Giving, MartyrdomFaith, Giving, Martyrdom

……Love never ends. As for Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass prophecies, they will pass away; away; as for tongues, as for tongues, they will cease; they will cease; as for as for knowledge, it will knowledge, it will pass awaypass away

These things will dieThese things will dieLove remainsLove remains

So don't get all swole upSo don't get all swole upOver your giftednessOver your giftedness

For For we knowwe know in part and in part and we we prophesyprophesy in part, but in part, but when the when the perfect comes,perfect comes, the partial will the partial will pass awaypass away

Cessationism or ContinuationismCessationism or Continuationism

Prophecies- pass awayProphecies- pass awayTongues- ceaseTongues- ceaseKnowledge- pass awayKnowledge- pass away

When When the perfect comesthe perfect comesNeuter- "complete, finished"Neuter- "complete, finished"

When I was a child, I spoke like a When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I child, I thought like a child, I

reasoned like a child. When I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up became a man, I gave up

childish wayschildish ways

For now we see in a mirror dimly, For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I haveknow fully, even as I have been fully known been fully known

Now and ThenNow and ThenOrOrAnalogyAnalogy

Cessationism: ScripturesCessationism: Scriptures

Childish ways are goneChildish ways are goneAnalogy of how much Analogy of how much We now knowWe now know

Tongues:Tongues:Not as much needNot as much need

Don't build up or lead to unityDon't build up or lead to unityHistorically without for centuriesHistorically without for centuries

Continuationism: KingdomContinuationism: Kingdom

Not grown up yet (perfect)Not grown up yet (perfect)Not face to faceNot face to faceDon't know fully yetDon't know fully yet

Tongues:Tongues:Part of worship todayPart of worship today

God could use on mission fieldGod could use on mission fieldAzusa Street RevivalAzusa Street Revival

Greater point- Greater point- love never failslove never fails

These other things are simplyThese other things are simplyTools used by the SpiritTools used by the SpiritFor God's purposes aloneFor God's purposes alone

We won't speak with authorityWe won't speak with authorityWhere God doesn't speak clearlyWhere God doesn't speak clearly

Live with the tensionLive with the tensionPray through and decidePray through and decide

"Do I have the gift of tongues?""Do I have the gift of tongues?"

Let's go further…Let's go further…

Pursue love, and Pursue love, and earnestly desire earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesyyou may prophesy

For one who speaks in a tongue For one who speaks in a tongue speaks speaks not to men but to God; not to men but to God;

for no one understands him, for no one understands him, but but he utters mysteries in the Spirithe utters mysteries in the Spirit

On the other hand, the one who On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and for their upbuilding and encouragement and encouragement and consolationconsolation

Context: Worship ServiceContext: Worship Service

The one who speaks in a tongue The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself,builds up himself, but the one but the one

who prophesies builds up who prophesies builds up the churchthe church

Now I want you all to speak in Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to tongues, but even more to prophesyprophesy

The one who prophesies is The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks greater than the one who speaks

in tongues, unless someone in tongues, unless someone interprets, interprets, so that the church so that the church

may be built upmay be built up

……since you are eager for since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building strive to excel in building up the churchup the church

I want tongues…I want tongues…

I want to be used by GodI want to be used by GodTo see people grow closerTo see people grow closerServe him betterServe him betterKnow him moreKnow him more

I thank God that I thank God that I speak in tongues I speak in tongues more than all of you. more than all of you. Nevertheless, Nevertheless, in church in church I would rather speak five I would rather speak five

words with my mind in order to words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand instruct others, than ten thousand

words in a tonguewords in a tongue

Tongues are Tongues are signsign for unbelievers for unbelieversOutside the churchOutside the church

When used correctlyWhen used correctly

Inside the church, if…Inside the church, if…

all speak in tongues, and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?are out of your minds?

When you come together, each When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an revelation, a tongue, or an

interpretation. interpretation. Let all things be Let all things be done for building updone for building up

IfIf any speak in a tongue, let there any speak in a tongue, let there be be only two or at most three, only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let and each in turn, and let someone interpretsomeone interpret

But if there is no one to But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep interpret, let each of them keep

silent in church and speak to silent in church and speak to himself and to Godhimself and to God

- 1 Cor. 12-14- 1 Cor. 12-14

Tongues: Tongues:

If God desires tonguesIf God desires tonguesEveryone at once is unbiblicalEveryone at once is unbiblical2 or 3, with interpretation2 or 3, with interpretation

The Purpose Remains:The Purpose Remains:Unity and EdificationUnity and Edification

"Building up together "Building up together Strengthening in relationship Strengthening in relationship

to God"to God"

TodayToday- Divided- Divided- Sniping at- Sniping at- Better than- Better than

Over a gift meant to unify/reachOver a gift meant to unify/reach

Real Issue:Real Issue:What God did with tonguesWhat God did with tongues

In the early churchIn the early church

Has great bearing on howHas great bearing on howYou live as a believer todayYou live as a believer today

Who has been a partWho has been a partOf directing your life?Of directing your life?

What did they say to you?What did they say to you?




You have a new tongueYou have a new tongue

"Out of the abundance of the "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks…"heart, the mouth speaks…"

- Jesus- Jesus

I will give you a new heart, and a I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give stone from your flesh and give you a heart of fleshyou a heart of flesh- Ezekiel 36- Ezekiel 36

To Israel, partial fulfillmentTo Israel, partial fulfillment

But he is a Jew who is one But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that inwardly; and circumcision is that

which is which is of the heart, of the heart, by the Spirit…by the Spirit…

When the heart changesWhen the heart changesThe tongue changesThe tongue changes

To each is given the To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit manifestation of the Spirit for the common goodfor the common good- 1 Cor. 12- 1 Cor. 12Encouragement Encouragement According to needAccording to need

……not neglecting to meet not neglecting to meet together,together, as is the habit of some, as is the habit of some,

but encouraging one another, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see and all the more as you see

the Day drawing nearthe Day drawing near- Hebrews 10:19-25- Hebrews 10:19-25

You are empowered by GodYou are empowered by GodTo change the course of a lifeTo change the course of a lifeOr an organizationOr an organization

By your wordsBy your words




James 3James 3

Tongues that were designed to Tongues that were designed to Unify and edifyUnify and edify

Were causing disunityWere causing disunityAnd discouragementAnd discouragement

The issue of tonguesThe issue of tonguesIsn't the real issueIsn't the real issue

But how God wants to workBut how God wants to workWithin his church for his gloryWithin his church for his glory

And our ultimate goodAnd our ultimate good

Tearing downTearing downGossipingGossipingSlanderingSlandering

Should cause us to weepShould cause us to weepIn repentance and confessionIn repentance and confession

Praying forPraying forBuilding upBuilding up

EncouragingEncouragingComfortingComforting

WarningWarningShould cause us to celebrate GodShould cause us to celebrate God

My new tongue:My new tongue:

Does it point to Jesus?Does it point to Jesus?Does it demonstrate new life?Does it demonstrate new life?To it unify?To it unify?Does it edify?Does it edify?

As a churchAs a church

We don't seek to be betterWe don't seek to be betterBut to point to Jesus andBut to point to Jesus and

To humbly serve GodTo humbly serve GodAnd one anotherAnd one another

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The Elephant Speaks Tongues… - You must! - You better not!