2. A church at ease with people speaking in tongues…. …and at ease with people NOT speaking in tongues.

3. My own experience. What did Jesus and Paul think about it? What is praying in tongues? What is it for? Who is it for? How is it received and used? Are we deluded – was it stopped centuries ago? Some personal questions. What now?

4. Experience

5. What did Jesus and Paul think? Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues... " ( Mark 16:15-17) NIV. “Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues,” verse 5. “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you….” Verse 18. “…do not forbid speaking in tongues.” Verse 39. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters,” he wrote, “I do not want you to be uninformed.”

6. What is praying in tongues? An anointing of the spirit in which a person speaks an unlearnt and unintelligible language. The supernatural ability to speak in another foreign language. a specific message in tongues which someone in the congregation understands and translates for everyone else. a private language of prayer and devotion

7. What is it for? Building you up. “Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves…” 1 Corinthians 14:4. When words run out. Expressing the inexpressible In joy and wonder In horror and helplessness

8. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” God prays through you.

9. Who is it for? Two temptations: Super saints Unfair projections Not all speak in tongues.

10. How is it received and used? Simply. By asking. Mental decision. Sometimes repetitive.

11. Did it all stop years ago? Two theories: After first disciples had died. When Bible completed.

12. Irenaeus, 2 nd Century: “And why should I say more? It is not possible to tell the number of the gifts which the Church throughout the whole world…uses each day…”

13. “Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease, as for knowledge it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.” When?

14. Final questions Have you thought it was for another type of person? Has it gone to sleep? Have you asked?

18. Have you confused the gift with the wrapping paper? Fear of loss of control If you ask for this particular gift and you receive it, it will be because he loves you and wants the best for you. If you ask for this particular gift and don’t receive it, it will be because he loves you and wants the best for you.

19. What now?