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

2. I.Introduction A.The need for this study 1.From life and ministry 2.From our text B.Preliminary remarks 1.I am not a Cessationist 2.I have not spoken in tongues

3. C.Hermeneutics – how we’ll deal with the Scriptures 1.Bad experience doesn’t determine our doctrine 2.A caution about culture 3.Tongues in 1 Corinthians are the same as in Acts 4.We’ll take clear texts at face value. 5.We’ll be cautious about inference and complexity

4. II.Defining Tongues A.Tongues are a spiritual gift, a manifestation of the Spirit B.A language that enables the Christian to pray and to praise God C.Spoken to God, not to men D.Normally not interpreted E.Under speaker’s control F.The contribution of tongues 1.A sign for unbelievers 2.Tends to only edify the speaker 3.The least of the gifts, unless interpreted

5. 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.

6. A.Prophecy is better than tongues (vss. 1-5) 1.Tongues speak to God; prophecy speaks to people (vss. 2-3) 2.Tongues convey mysteries that no one understands (v. 2); prophecy strengthens, encourages, and consoles (v. 3) 3.Tongues edify the speaker; prophecy edifies the church (v. 4). 4.Caveat: Some qualifications a.Paul wants them to speak in tongues (but prophecy is better) b.If interpreted, tongues do edify

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 1.Pronouns: change from “I” to “you” 2.Edification requires interpretation (v. 6) a.Illustrations from music and war (vss. 7-8) b.Language must be understood for words to have meaning (vss. 9-11) c.Thus, seek profitable manifestations of the Spirit to edify the church (vs. 12)

10. 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.

11. 1.Compare vs. 13 with vs. 28 2.The content of tongues (vss. 15-17) a.Prayer (v. 15) b.Singing praises (vss. 15-16) c.Thanksgiving (vss. 16-17) 3.Uninterrupted tongues don’t engage the mind (vss. 14-17) a.Speaker is not edified b.Hearers are not edified 4.Caveat (vss. 18-19) a.I speak in tongues more than you b.But not in church (uninterrupted)

12. D.The primary purpose of tongues (vss. 20-25) 1.Mature thinking (compare v. 20 with 13:11) 2.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)

13. IV.Conclusion A.Your mind matters – the importance of the intellect. B.The priority of prophecy C.The prohibition to prohibit tongues D.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.