Transcript Spiritual Gifts Lesson 13: Spiritual Gifts – Tongues in Check 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Spiritual Gifts
Lesson 13: Spiritual Gifts – Tongues in Check
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
I.
Introduction
A.
The need for this study
1.
2.
B.
From life and ministry
From our text
Preliminary remarks
1.
2.
I am not a Cessationist
I have not spoken in tongues
C.
Hermeneutics – how we’ll deal with
the Scriptures
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Bad experience doesn’t determine
our doctrine
A caution about culture
Tongues in 1 Corinthians are the
same as in Acts
We’ll take clear texts at face value.
We’ll be cautious about inference
and complexity
II.
Defining Tongues
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Tongues are a spiritual gift, a
manifestation of the Spirit
A language that enables the Christian
to pray and to praise God
Spoken to God, not to men
Normally not interpreted
Under speaker’s control
The contribution of tongues
1.
2.
3.
A sign for unbelievers
Tends to only edify the speaker
The least of the gifts, unless
interpreted
III. Tracing Paul’s argument in 14:1-25
A.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5: Prophecy is
superior to tongues
1 Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that
you may prophesy. 2 For the one speaking in a tongue does not
speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking
mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to
people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. 4
The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who
prophesies builds up the church. 5 I wish you all spoke in tongues,
but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is
greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so
that the church may be strengthened.
A.
Prophecy is better than tongues (vss. 1-5)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Tongues speak to God; prophecy speaks
to people (vss. 2-3)
Tongues convey mysteries that no one
understands (v. 2); prophecy
strengthens, encourages, and consoles
(v. 3)
Tongues edify the speaker; prophecy
edifies the church (v. 4).
Caveat: Some qualifications
a.
b.
Paul wants them to speak in tongues
(but prophecy is better)
If interpreted, tongues do edify
B.
Why interpretation is essential for edification
(vss. 6-12)
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in
tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a
revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7
It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a
flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes,
how can what is played on the flute or harp be
understood? 8 If, for example, the trumpet makes an
unclear sound, who will get ready for battle? (continued
on next slide)
9 It
is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly
with your tongue, how will anyone know what is
being said? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are probably many kinds of languages in
the world, and none is without meaning. 11 If then
I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be
a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a
foreigner to me. 12 It is the same with you. Since
you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek
to abound in order to strengthen the church.
1.
2.
Pronouns: change from “I” to
“you”
Edification requires interpretation
(v. 6)
a.
b.
c.
Illustrations from music and
war (vss. 7-8)
Language must be understood
for words to have meaning
(vss. 9-11)
Thus, seek profitable
manifestations of the Spirit to
edify the church (vs. 12)
C. Interpretation engages the mind, to edify the
speaker and the church (vss. 13-19)
13 So
then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may
interpret. 14 If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is
unproductive. 15 What should I do? I will pray with my spirit,
but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my
spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind. 16 Otherwise, if
you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone
without the gift say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does
not know what you are saying? 17 For you are certainly giving
thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened. 18 I thank
God that I speak in tongues more than all of you, 19 but in the
church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct
others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1.
2.
Compare vs. 13 with vs. 28
The content of tongues (vss. 15-17)
a.
b.
c.
3.
Uninterrupted tongues don’t engage the
mind (vss. 14-17)
a.
b.
4.
Prayer (v. 15)
Singing praises (vss. 15-16)
Thanksgiving (vss. 16-17)
Speaker is not edified
Hearers are not edified
Caveat (vss. 18-19)
a.
b.
I speak in tongues more than you
But not in church (uninterrupted)
D.
The primary purpose of tongues (vss. 20-25)
1.
2.
Mature thinking (compare v. 20 with
13:11)
Tongues are a sign to unbelievers;
prophecy is for believers
a. Tongues in the Old Testament (vs. 21,
citing Isaiah 28:11 – see vss. 9-13; also
33:19; Deuteronomy 28:49
b. Tongues don’t edify unbelievers;
prophecy does (vss. 22-25)
IV. Conclusion
A.
B.
C.
D.
Your mind matters – the importance
of the intellect.
The priority of prophecy
The prohibition to prohibit tongues
Love pursues and practices gifts in
order to edify others
Copyright © 2007 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081. This is the edited
PowerPoint Presentation in the Spiritual Gifts series prepared by Bob Deffinbaugh for November 25, 2007. Anyone
is at liberty to use this presentation for educational purposes only, with or without credit. The Chapel believes the
material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use
as an aid in the study of God’s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible
Chapel.