The Reason for Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:12-25

Review•Tongues were never about

individuals, but about the congregation as a whole. (1 Cor. 12:7)

•Both the gift of tongues and prophecy would end after the completion of God’s Word. (1 Cor. 13:8)

Review•Tongues have never been an unknown angelic language in the scriptures, but rather other languages of men.

•Tongues only edify the man without an interpreter. (1 Cor. 14:4)

Edification is the Goal •The responsibility of a prophet (Ezk. 3:17-21)•To speak the words of the Lord

•To sound the warning•To save the sinner

Edification is the Goal •The responsibility of a preacher (2 Tim. 4:2-5)•Preach the Word of God•To give the sense (Neh. 8:8; Acts 8:30-35)

•To make it plan (Hab. 2:1-2)

Edification is the Goal •The responsibility of a teacher (Eph. 4:11-16)•To establish the truth in love

•To grow the Church in the knowledge of God’s Word.

Understanding is the Key (14:13-19)

•There is no use for tongues without understanding.

•Tongues are not necessary to pray in the Spirit. •No benefit for the speaker•No benefit for the listener

Understanding is the Key (14:13-19)

•Paul was given the gift of tongues to minister to the Gentiles •This was missions work outside the Church

•In the Church, tongues make no sense.

Tongues is a Sign (14:20-25)

• Speaking in tongues is childish •Maturity comes from the scripture (13:11)

•Tongues come from a lack of understanding

Tongues is a Sign (14:20-25)

• Tongues were for a sign to the unbelieving Jews. •A quote from Isaiah 28:11•The sign of tongues is for the non-believer

•Prophecy is for he believer

Tongues is a Sign (14:20-25)

•Tongues cause confusion •People will think you’re crazy.

•People will be turned off to the gospel message.

•Prophesy causes conviction