Well hello, everybody. Welcome.
00:00:14.04\00:00:16.04
We're glad you're here.
00:00:16.54\00:00:18.11
This is presentation
number nine in this series,
00:00:18.61\00:00:21.55
The Secrets of Pentecost.
00:00:21.58\00:00:23.28
And tonight our topic is,
Are Tongues Ecstatic Utterances?
00:00:23.89\00:00:29.12
And the subject of study
will be 1 Corinthians 14.
00:00:29.62\00:00:33.76
And we're going to do
pretty much a verse by verse
00:00:34.13\00:00:36.83
study of this chapter.
00:00:36.87\00:00:39.03
But before we do, we want
to ask for the Lord's presence
00:00:39.33\00:00:42.94
and for His wisdom.
00:00:43.04\00:00:44.37
And so I invite you to bow
your heads with me as we pray.
00:00:44.41\00:00:46.91
Father in heaven, thank
You so much for Your many
00:00:48.28\00:00:51.18
blessings this day.
00:00:51.21\00:00:52.68
We thank You for those
things that we take for granted
00:00:53.08\00:00:57.22
that many times we
fail to thank You for.
00:00:57.59\00:01:00.69
One of those things that we
want to especially thank You for
00:01:01.06\00:01:03.86
is Your Holy Word.
00:01:03.89\00:01:05.23
It's such a comfort to have
Your Word in a world that is
00:01:05.59\00:01:08.93
so confused and so mixed up.
00:01:08.96\00:01:11.37
And we ask that as we study
this very important chapter
00:01:11.77\00:01:14.37
on 1 Corinthians 14 that
Your Holy Spirit will be with us
00:01:14.40\00:01:18.21
to guide our thoughts.
00:01:18.24\00:01:19.57
I ask that You will also
bless those, not only who are
00:01:19.91\00:01:22.94
here in the studio,
but those who are watching
00:01:22.98\00:01:26.05
this program on television.
00:01:26.08\00:01:28.18
We ask, Lord, that You
will speak to each mind
00:01:28.55\00:01:31.02
and each heart.
00:01:31.05\00:01:32.39
And we thank You
for hearing our prayer,
00:01:32.42\00:01:34.12
for we ask it in the
precious name of Jesus, amen.
00:01:34.29\00:01:38.09
As I mentioned,
we're going to study today
00:01:39.89\00:01:42.66
1 Corinthians 14.
00:01:42.76\00:01:45.43
And as we begin, I would like to
mention what the basic structure
00:01:45.93\00:01:50.14
of this chapter is.
00:01:50.17\00:01:51.91
And we're not going to give you
a specific detailed structure,
00:01:51.94\00:01:56.38
but it has two main parts.
00:01:56.41\00:01:59.61
Verses 1-25 of 1 Corinthians
14 deals with the relationship
00:02:00.05\00:02:06.09
between tongues and prophecy.
00:02:06.12\00:02:08.72
And then verses 26-40
deals with proper order
00:02:09.09\00:02:14.23
in the worship
service; rules for proper order
00:02:14.26\00:02:17.63
in the worship service.
00:02:17.67\00:02:19.23
And so we're going to work
our way through this chapter
00:02:19.60\00:02:22.00
to see what the apostle
Paul wants to teach us today.
00:02:22.04\00:02:26.41
So let's begin
our study at verse 1.
00:02:26.81\00:02:29.11
And let's read this verse
where the apostle Paul says,
00:02:29.14\00:02:32.95
"Pursue love, and
desire spiritual gifts,
00:02:33.25\00:02:39.19
especially that you
may speak in tongues."
00:02:39.39\00:02:42.42
Ah, that's not what
the apostle Paul says.
00:02:43.22\00:02:46.63
He says, "...desire
spiritual gifts, but especially
00:02:46.66\00:02:49.96
that you may..." What?
00:02:50.00\00:02:51.50
"...that you many prophesy."
00:02:51.53\00:02:53.20
So you'll notice that in
the mind of the apostle Paul,
00:02:53.23\00:02:56.67
speaking in tongues
does not trump prophecy.
00:02:56.77\00:03:01.14
Prophecy comes
before speaking in tongues.
00:03:01.21\00:03:04.58
And we're going to notice
in our study the reason why.
00:03:04.61\00:03:07.15
Now let's go to verse 2.
00:03:07.68\00:03:09.55
There's no verse
in 1 Corinthians 14
00:03:10.29\00:03:13.22
that has awakened more
confusion in the minds of people
00:03:13.25\00:03:16.89
than this verse.
00:03:16.93\00:03:18.26
Because it appears to be
saying that the Corinthians
00:03:18.66\00:03:21.36
were speaking in
ecstatic utterances.
00:03:21.40\00:03:23.93
But when we study the
verse carefully, we're going to
00:03:24.03\00:03:27.17
discover that the apostle Paul
is not saying that this gift
00:03:27.20\00:03:31.11
is different than the gift that
was given in the book of Acts.
00:03:31.14\00:03:34.08
So let's read this
verse, 1 Corinthians 14:2.
00:03:34.18\00:03:37.81
He says, "For he who
speaks in a tongue..."
00:03:38.31\00:03:41.38
That's the word, "glossa."
00:03:41.42\00:03:42.75
Now it sounds like a relatively
confusing verse, doesn't it?
00:03:55.80\00:04:00.34
So it says...
00:04:00.47\00:04:01.80
Now this verse has
led many people to believe
00:04:10.85\00:04:13.92
that the gift that
the Corinthian church had
00:04:13.95\00:04:17.19
was a different gift
than what we find in Acts 2.
00:04:17.29\00:04:20.99
That people in
Corinth were actually speaking
00:04:21.02\00:04:23.73
in some type of
heavenly or angelic language
00:04:23.83\00:04:27.20
that is spoken
nowhere on planet earth.
00:04:27.23\00:04:30.07
However, we're going to
notice that's not the case.
00:04:30.30\00:04:33.87
We're going to notice in our
study that the gift in Corinth
00:04:34.00\00:04:36.77
was the same gift that God gave
in Acts 2, Acts 10, and Acts 19,
00:04:36.81\00:04:43.28
and the same gift that
Jesus referred to in Mark 16:17.
00:04:43.48\00:04:49.35
Now it's very important for
us to realize that in this verse
00:04:49.92\00:04:53.62
the expression
where it says here,
00:04:54.19\00:04:57.59
"...for he who speaks in a
tongue does not speak to men,
00:04:57.63\00:05:00.90
but to God," there are
some versions that translate,
00:05:00.93\00:05:05.63
"those who speak in an unknown,"
or, "speak in a strange tongue."
00:05:05.87\00:05:11.31
For example, the
King James Version says,
00:05:11.64\00:05:14.84
"He who speaks in
an unknown tongue..."
00:05:14.88\00:05:18.78
Now there's no warrant
whatsoever for translating,
00:05:19.08\00:05:22.58
"unknown tongue."
00:05:22.62\00:05:23.95
Because the word, "unknown,"
is unknown in this text.
00:05:23.99\00:05:27.26
It's not there.
00:05:27.29\00:05:28.62
It simply says, "He
who speaks in a tongue..."
00:05:28.66\00:05:31.46
Now other versions add
another word to this verse.
00:05:31.99\00:05:37.00
For example, the Good
News Bible says, "He who speaks
00:05:37.10\00:05:40.77
a strange tongue."
00:05:40.80\00:05:43.14
The New English
Bible says, "He who speaks
00:05:43.30\00:05:46.14
in an ecstatic utterance."
00:05:46.17\00:05:48.34
The NIV is even
clearer when it says,
00:05:48.74\00:05:52.08
"He who speaks
speaks in a tongue."
00:05:52.18\00:05:56.85
Just like we read from
the New King James Version.
00:05:56.89\00:05:59.95
Now it's important for
us to realize that the word,
00:06:00.29\00:06:03.29
"tongues," is used
twenty-seven times in
00:06:03.32\00:06:06.29
1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14.
00:06:06.33\00:06:09.16
And in each case, the
word, "tongues," is identical
00:06:09.73\00:06:14.24
to the word that is used
in Mark 16:17, in Acts 2,
00:06:14.27\00:06:19.74
in Acts 10, and in Acts 19.
00:06:19.91\00:06:24.01
And so it's the
identical word that is used
00:06:24.41\00:06:26.85
all the way through.
00:06:26.88\00:06:28.28
So there's no warrant for
translating the word, "tongues,"
00:06:28.48\00:06:32.05
as strange tongues
or ecstatic utterance.
00:06:32.09\00:06:35.29
It simply means, "languages."
00:06:35.32\00:06:37.99
Now let me give you a practical
example that will help us
00:06:38.33\00:06:41.46
understand this verse 2, which
is very difficult to understand
00:06:41.50\00:06:47.57
if you don't study it carefully.
00:06:47.60\00:06:49.57
Let's use the
example of supposing that
00:06:50.11\00:06:54.14
I speak only English.
00:06:54.18\00:06:56.51
And I travel down
to Curaçao, which is in
00:06:57.15\00:06:59.71
the Netherlands Antilles.
00:06:59.75\00:07:01.38
They speak a language
there called, Papiamento.
00:07:01.42\00:07:04.75
And I'm in a circumstance
where the people need to hear
00:07:05.15\00:07:08.86
the presentation of
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
00:07:08.89\00:07:11.39
But I only know
how to speak English.
00:07:11.43\00:07:14.23
And so the Lord, knowing
that the people need to hear
00:07:14.43\00:07:17.07
a presentation of the gospel, by
a miraculous and instantaneous
00:07:17.10\00:07:22.30
event God gives me the
ability to speak perfectly
00:07:22.40\00:07:28.14
in the language
of the people there.
00:07:28.24\00:07:30.68
He gives me the
ability to speak in Papiamento,
00:07:30.71\00:07:33.95
which is more of a
dialect than a language.
00:07:33.98\00:07:36.82
And so that would be
the gift of tongues, right?
00:07:37.19\00:07:39.92
I speak English, but God
instantaneously and miraculously
00:07:40.09\00:07:44.19
gives me the ability to speak
Papiamento there in Curaçao.
00:07:44.23\00:07:48.63
But let's suppose that the
following Sabbath I come back
00:07:48.90\00:07:52.27
to Fresno and I have to
preach at Fresno Central Church,
00:07:52.30\00:07:55.84
and I start rattling
off my sermon in Papiamento.
00:07:56.04\00:08:00.34
Now let me ask you, how
many people would understand
00:08:00.78\00:08:03.41
what I was saying?
00:08:03.45\00:08:04.78
Nobody would understand
anything that I was saying.
00:08:04.85\00:08:08.12
Because the people at
Fresno Central don't speak
00:08:08.52\00:08:11.69
the language of Papiamento.
00:08:11.72\00:08:13.62
Now let's notice
three expressions that
00:08:14.29\00:08:16.76
we find in this verse.
00:08:16.79\00:08:18.13
First of all, what
does it mean when it says
00:08:18.16\00:08:21.23
that a person who speaks in
a tongue speaks in the spirit?
00:08:21.43\00:08:25.13
Then we want to see why it says
that only God understands him.
00:08:25.43\00:08:30.61
And then we're going to
take a look at what it means
00:08:30.64\00:08:33.44
when it says that the
person who speaks in a tongue
00:08:33.48\00:08:36.34
speaks mysteries.
00:08:36.44\00:08:38.31
Let's go, first of all, to
the expression that a person
00:08:38.58\00:08:41.88
who speaks in a
tongue speaks in the spirit.
00:08:41.92\00:08:44.39
Why would it says that
he speaks in the spirit?
00:08:44.42\00:08:46.82
Simply because the gift
of tongues is a gift of whom?
00:08:47.26\00:08:51.03
It's a gift of the Holy Spirit.
00:08:51.36\00:08:53.23
And so a person who
speaks in tongues is speaking
00:08:53.26\00:08:56.10
in the spirit.
00:08:56.13\00:08:57.47
So when the apostle Paul
says that a person who speaks
00:08:57.50\00:09:00.40
in a tongue speaks in
the spirit, that shouldn't
00:09:00.44\00:09:03.24
surprise us because the
gift of tongues is a gift
00:09:03.27\00:09:06.14
of the Holy Spirit.
00:09:06.17\00:09:07.51
Now what about the idea
that he who speaks in a tongue,
00:09:07.61\00:09:10.75
only God would understand him?
00:09:10.91\00:09:13.11
Well, let's us my illustration.
00:09:13.31\00:09:15.38
I come back to Fresno Central
Church and I start rattling off
00:09:15.78\00:09:19.12
my sermon in Papiamento.
00:09:19.15\00:09:20.92
Does anybody in the
congregation understand
00:09:21.12\00:09:24.03
what I'm saying?
00:09:24.19\00:09:25.53
No. Does God
understand what I'm saying?
00:09:25.56\00:09:27.93
Of course God understands
what I'm saying because
00:09:28.03\00:09:30.43
God was the one who gave me
the language in the first place.
00:09:30.47\00:09:33.34
So a person who
speaks in a tongue,
00:09:33.57\00:09:35.87
God understands that person.
00:09:36.27\00:09:38.17
But if the people that I'm
speaking to can't understand
00:09:38.21\00:09:40.81
the language that I'm speaking,
it's unintelligible to them.
00:09:40.84\00:09:44.48
Are you with me or not?
00:09:44.51\00:09:45.85
Now what does the
apostle Paul mean when he says
00:09:46.08\00:09:48.78
that a person who speaks
in a tongue in the spirit
00:09:48.92\00:09:51.79
speaks mysteries?
00:09:51.82\00:09:53.36
Now, you know, the
word, "mysteries," in
00:09:53.56\00:09:56.39
the New Testament has
a different connotation
00:09:56.42\00:09:58.96
and meaning than it does
for us in the 21st century.
00:09:58.99\00:10:02.96
The word, "mystery," in the
writings of the apostle Paul
00:10:03.10\00:10:06.27
has nothing to do with something
secret, or something esoteric,
00:10:06.50\00:10:11.14
or something mysterious.
00:10:11.24\00:10:13.07
No. The word, "mystery," in
the writings of the apostle Paul
00:10:13.24\00:10:16.91
simply refers to the
preaching of the gospel
00:10:17.15\00:10:20.62
which was hidden in ages
past, but now that mystery
00:10:20.88\00:10:25.32
from ages past is revealed
in the preaching of the gospel.
00:10:25.35\00:10:29.12
I want you to notice a
text where this meaning
00:10:29.36\00:10:32.46
comes through clearly.
00:10:32.49\00:10:34.06
Ephesians 6:18-20 has
many common words to the text
00:10:34.23\00:10:40.20
that we just read
in 1 Corinthians 14:2.
00:10:40.24\00:10:44.11
Notice what the apostle
Paul says in Ephesians 6:18-20.
00:10:44.14\00:10:48.44
Is that a phrase that we find
in the text that we just read?
00:10:56.28\00:10:59.59
Absolutely.
00:10:59.62\00:11:00.96
"...utterance..."
That's an interesting word
00:11:11.17\00:11:13.03
that is used in relation to
the gift of tongues as well.
00:11:13.07\00:11:15.97
Who would give it to him?
00:11:21.21\00:11:22.54
God, right? The Holy Spirit.
00:11:23.21\00:11:24.81
So what is the mystery?
00:11:36.12\00:11:37.46
Is it some mysterious language
that nobody understands?
00:11:37.49\00:11:40.33
No. It's the preaching of what?
00:11:40.36\00:11:42.63
Of the gospel which
was hidden in ages past
00:11:42.73\00:11:46.33
because it was only
understood in types.
00:11:46.37\00:11:48.50
But today it has
been brought to light.
00:11:48.54\00:11:50.81
And so he says
once again in verse 19,
00:11:51.14\00:11:53.78
"...for me, that
utterance may be given to me
00:11:53.81\00:11:56.78
that I might open my
mouth boldly to make known
00:11:56.98\00:12:00.05
the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador
00:12:00.08\00:12:04.29
in chains; that in
it I may speak boldly,
00:12:04.32\00:12:09.16
as I ought to speak."
00:12:09.19\00:12:11.19
So are you
understanding verse 2?
00:12:11.23\00:12:12.99
It appears to be complicated,
but it's not complicated
00:12:13.43\00:12:16.73
when you realize what
each phrase in the verse means.
00:12:16.77\00:12:20.77
Now let's move on to verse 3.
00:12:21.00\00:12:23.20
Here, the apostle
Paul says, "But..."
00:12:23.67\00:12:25.94
He's making a contrast, right?
00:12:25.97\00:12:27.41
Let's notice once again
what we read in verse 2,
00:12:28.11\00:12:31.45
and then let's notice
the contrast in verse 3.
00:12:31.48\00:12:33.58
It says...
00:12:33.62\00:12:34.95
But now comes the
contrast. He says...
00:12:44.89\00:12:46.59
See, prophecy is in
contrast to tongues.
00:12:49.90\00:12:52.57
Let me ask you a question.
00:13:03.45\00:13:04.78
When you exhort and
when you edify and when you
00:13:05.35\00:13:08.98
comfort people, must
you speak in a language
00:13:09.02\00:13:11.49
that they can understand?
00:13:11.52\00:13:12.85
Of course.
00:13:12.89\00:13:14.22
The apostle Paul is
saying, "Hey, if you're going to
00:13:14.26\00:13:15.59
speak to the church,
speak for edification,
00:13:15.62\00:13:18.39
exhortation, and comfort.
00:13:18.43\00:13:19.86
That's what a person
who prophecies does."
00:13:20.06\00:13:23.90
Now let's go to verse 4.
00:13:24.07\00:13:26.03
Now what does the
apostle Paul mean by that?
00:13:36.61\00:13:38.58
Let's go back
to my illustration.
00:13:38.61\00:13:40.32
If I were speaking in Papiamento
at Fresno Central Church,
00:13:40.62\00:13:45.45
would I be edifying myself?
00:13:45.55\00:13:47.66
Of course. Why?
00:13:48.29\00:13:49.99
Because I can understand
what I'm saying, right?
00:13:50.23\00:13:53.29
So I would be
benefited by what I'm saying,
00:13:53.63\00:13:56.67
but would the
church be benefited?
00:13:56.70\00:13:58.33
Not at all.
00:13:58.53\00:13:59.87
Incidentally, Ellen White
tells us that we are impacted
00:13:59.90\00:14:04.14
by our own words.
00:14:04.17\00:14:05.51
We are edified or
destroyed by our own words.
00:14:05.54\00:14:07.81
Let me read that statement.
Desire of Ages, page 323.
00:14:07.84\00:14:11.35
She says...
00:14:11.55\00:14:12.88
So if I were speaking
in Papiamento in a church
00:14:25.89\00:14:28.66
where that language is not
spoken, I would not be edifying
00:14:28.70\00:14:31.97
the church, but I
would be edifying myself
00:14:32.00\00:14:35.20
because I am
impacted by my own words.
00:14:35.24\00:14:37.84
Are you
understanding what I'm saying?
00:14:37.87\00:14:39.27
So what is the purpose of
the preaching of the gospel?
00:14:40.24\00:14:44.18
It's that the entire
church might be benefited,
00:14:44.21\00:14:47.28
not only myself.
00:14:47.32\00:14:48.92
The gift of tongues is not
primarily for self-edification,
00:14:48.95\00:14:52.85
it's for the
benefit of the church.
00:14:52.95\00:14:55.02
Now notice verse 5.
00:14:55.26\00:14:57.06
Here, the apostle Paul says...
00:14:57.09\00:14:58.56
Ah, he wanted
everyone to speak in tongues.
00:15:03.97\00:15:06.40
But notice what he says...
00:15:06.43\00:15:07.84
So what is more important
as a gift, tongues or prophecy?
00:15:11.11\00:15:14.71
Prophecy, in the
thinking of the apostle Paul.
00:15:15.14\00:15:18.01
He says...
00:15:18.05\00:15:19.38
So if you speak in tongues,
and you interpret what you're
00:15:31.69\00:15:34.26
saying, "...that the
church may receive..." What?
00:15:34.30\00:15:37.33
"...that the church
may receive edification."
00:15:37.37\00:15:40.44
So if I were speaking
in Papiamento, and then
00:15:40.54\00:15:43.27
I interpreted what I was saying,
that would edify, not myself,
00:15:43.30\00:15:48.31
but it would edify whom?
00:15:48.34\00:15:50.08
It would edify the church.
00:15:50.11\00:15:51.85
Are you following me or not?
00:15:51.88\00:15:53.28
Now let's notice verse 6.
00:15:53.62\00:15:55.98
That means with
languages, by the way.
00:16:00.96\00:16:02.76
In other words, he's saying,
"You know, if I'm going to
00:16:15.34\00:16:17.17
come and speak to you,
I'm going to speak to you
00:16:17.21\00:16:19.77
by prophecy, by revelation,
by knowledge, or by teaching.
00:16:19.81\00:16:23.48
Something that
you can understand.
00:16:23.51\00:16:25.98
Not in a tongue that
you cannot understand,
00:16:26.55\00:16:28.78
because that does
not benefit you at all.
00:16:28.82\00:16:31.15
It might benefit me, but
it does not benefit you."
00:16:31.19\00:16:34.86
So far so good?
00:16:34.89\00:16:36.22
Now notice verse 7.
00:16:36.39\00:16:38.59
Here, the apostle Paul is going
to further develop this idea.
00:16:38.63\00:16:41.96
Actually in verses 7-11
the apostle Paul is going to
00:16:42.06\00:16:45.73
use three example to
show how important it is
00:16:45.77\00:16:48.80
for a person to
speak in a language
00:16:49.00\00:16:51.17
that people can understand.
00:16:51.21\00:16:52.74
The first example is the
example of a flute or a harp.
00:16:52.84\00:16:56.91
Notice what he says in verse 7.
00:16:57.25\00:17:00.92
He says there, "Even
things without life..."
00:17:01.92\00:17:04.72
He's speaking about
a musical instrument.
00:17:04.75\00:17:06.59
So when you play a flute,
do you have to play a tune
00:17:19.93\00:17:22.84
so that people
understand what you're playing?
00:17:22.87\00:17:24.91
Or do you just
make a bunch of noises?
00:17:24.94\00:17:27.11
The apostle Paul is saying,
"Listen, making a bunch of
00:17:27.41\00:17:29.68
noises in a language
that people can't understand
00:17:29.71\00:17:32.18
is worthless.
00:17:32.31\00:17:33.65
It's like a flute or like a
harp making a bunch of sounds
00:17:33.68\00:17:37.05
that don't have a tune.
00:17:37.15\00:17:38.59
Are you following me?
00:17:38.62\00:17:39.95
Now notice verse 9.
00:17:39.99\00:17:41.42
He uses the
example of the trumpet.
00:17:41.46\00:17:43.59
He says, "For if the trumpet
makes an uncertain sound..."
00:17:43.83\00:17:47.76
Let me just give you an example.
00:17:51.53\00:17:52.87
I'm a trumpet player, so let me
use the example of the trumpet.
00:17:52.90\00:17:56.81
Let's suppose that you
want people to go to sleep.
00:17:57.11\00:18:01.01
And you play the tune that
says, "Da da da dat datahh."
00:18:02.64\00:18:06.31
That doesn't make much sense.
00:18:08.58\00:18:10.12
Or let's suppose that you
want an individual, you know...
00:18:11.02\00:18:13.96
You go to a funeral, you know...
00:18:13.99\00:18:16.39
And you know what you're suppose
to play at a funeral, right?
00:18:16.59\00:18:19.13
But you start playing,
00:18:19.16\00:18:20.50
"Da da datada, da da datada,
da da datada, da da datahh."
00:18:20.53\00:18:23.70
It doesn't fit, right?
00:18:24.27\00:18:26.23
You know, the trumpet, in
order for people to understand
00:18:26.63\00:18:31.34
what it's speaking
or what it's saying,
00:18:31.64\00:18:33.74
it must be a tune that
is comprehensible to people
00:18:33.78\00:18:36.48
and fits the occasion, is
what the apostle Paul is saying.
00:18:36.51\00:18:40.25
And then he says in verse 9...
00:18:40.82\00:18:42.68
So let me ask you, are these
languages that the apostle Paul
00:18:52.66\00:18:55.30
is talking about,
or is it gibberish?
00:18:55.33\00:18:57.17
It's languages, folks.
00:18:57.43\00:18:58.90
He says...
00:18:58.97\00:19:00.30
In other words, your
words will be meaningless
00:19:11.35\00:19:14.42
if they don't
have any sense to them.
00:19:14.62\00:19:17.22
And then the apostle
Paul uses a third example.
00:19:17.59\00:19:20.39
The example of the languages
that are spoken by nations;
00:19:20.42\00:19:24.19
the
communication between nations.
00:19:24.23\00:19:26.43
Notice what he
says in verses 10-11.
00:19:26.70\00:19:29.63
That means, none of
them is without meaning.
00:19:38.71\00:19:41.08
Is the apostle Paul here
talking about real languages
00:19:41.11\00:19:43.55
that are spoken in the nations?
00:19:43.58\00:19:45.41
Of course he is. He says...
00:19:45.45\00:19:47.25
Are you
following what he's saying?
00:20:00.30\00:20:01.63
"If I don't know the
meaning of the language
00:20:01.66\00:20:03.40
that a person is speaking,
by the way, I shall be..." What?
00:20:03.50\00:20:07.04
"...a foreigner
to him who speaks..."
00:20:07.07\00:20:09.84
In other words, he's
saying that these tongues
00:20:16.01\00:20:19.28
in the church of
Corinth were real tongues.
00:20:19.31\00:20:21.85
But what the people were doing,
they were speaking in a language
00:20:22.05\00:20:24.85
that nobody in the
congregation could understand.
00:20:24.89\00:20:27.29
But they were real
languages from the nations.
00:20:27.59\00:20:30.56
The same gift as in Acts 2,
but the gift was being misused.
00:20:30.59\00:20:35.40
It was used to show off
the gift that God had given
00:20:35.43\00:20:38.87
to the Corinthians.
00:20:38.90\00:20:40.30
And then the apostle
Paul says in verse 12,
00:20:40.54\00:20:43.17
"Even so you,
since you are zealous..."
00:20:43.20\00:20:46.14
Here is again the same point.
00:20:49.08\00:20:51.11
So the apostle Paul says
the gift of tongues is not for
00:20:58.92\00:21:01.86
you to show off or for
your own self-edification,
00:21:01.89\00:21:04.69
or so that people think
that you have a spiritual high.
00:21:04.96\00:21:08.13
No, the gift of tongues is for
the edification of the church.
00:21:08.16\00:21:11.67
Are all gifts of the
Spirit for the edification
00:21:11.70\00:21:14.24
of the body of Christ?
00:21:14.27\00:21:15.60
Absolutely, no gift
is for selfish purposes
00:21:15.64\00:21:19.87
or for your own
self-edification.
00:21:19.91\00:21:22.71
And then we find in chapter
14:13-17 the apostle Paul
00:21:23.04\00:21:29.78
continuing his argument.
00:21:29.82\00:21:31.52
He's going to speak here
about praying in a tongue,
00:21:32.09\00:21:35.12
about singing in a tongue,
and about blessing in a tongue.
00:21:35.29\00:21:40.30
And he's also going to
talk about the importance if you
00:21:40.96\00:21:44.73
sing in a tongue or
if you pray in a tongue
00:21:44.83\00:21:47.47
or if you bless in a
tongue, it's indispensable that
00:21:47.57\00:21:50.81
you interpret
what you're saying.
00:21:50.84\00:21:52.54
Now notice what he says
beginning with verse 13.
00:21:52.74\00:21:55.64
These are languages, right?
00:21:59.31\00:22:01.38
According to what
we've just studied.
00:22:01.42\00:22:02.95
And who gives
the gift of tongues?
00:22:06.79\00:22:08.56
By the Holy Spirit.
00:22:09.02\00:22:10.49
So if you pray in a tongue,
00:22:13.53\00:22:15.06
either you or
somebody must what?
00:22:16.06\00:22:18.50
Must give the interpretation
of what you are praying
00:22:18.70\00:22:21.70
so that people can understand.
00:22:21.74\00:22:23.41
Verse 14, "For if I
pray in a tongue..."
00:22:23.61\00:22:26.54
That is, a language
unknown by the congregation.
00:22:27.04\00:22:29.51
Why does it say,
"my spirit prays"?
00:22:31.18\00:22:33.25
Because the gift of
tongues is a gift given by whom?
00:22:33.58\00:22:36.89
Given by the Holy
Spirit. So it says...
00:22:37.12\00:22:39.09
"I will pray with the spirit..."
00:22:46.09\00:22:47.80
That means, because the Holy
Spirit has given you the gift.
00:22:48.16\00:22:51.20
Why would he pray
with the understanding?
00:22:55.07\00:22:56.77
Because when he's
praying in a tongue,
00:22:56.87\00:22:58.77
he's also providing
what, according to the context?
00:22:58.87\00:23:01.61
He's providing
the interpretation
00:23:01.64\00:23:03.58
to what he's saying.
00:23:03.61\00:23:04.95
And then I want you to
notice what he continues saying.
00:23:05.01\00:23:07.28
Because singing is a
spiritual gift as well.
00:23:09.62\00:23:12.45
Now you know, if I sang, for
example, a hymn from the hymnal
00:23:16.89\00:23:22.06
in Spanish, you might know
what the hymn is by the tune.
00:23:22.43\00:23:27.44
Like for example, if I
sang, The Old Rugged Cross.
00:23:27.47\00:23:29.64
But you really
wouldn't understand the words
00:23:29.67\00:23:31.37
if you'd never
heard the hymn before.
00:23:31.41\00:23:32.94
Right?
00:23:32.97\00:23:34.31
And so, if I
should sing in a tongue,
00:23:34.34\00:23:36.58
I should also provide what?
00:23:36.68\00:23:38.61
The interpretation
of what I'm singing
00:23:38.78\00:23:40.92
so that the
church can be benefited.
00:23:40.95\00:23:42.82
So the apostle Paul says...
00:23:42.85\00:23:44.19
That is, because
singing is a spiritual gift.
00:23:45.62\00:23:48.06
By interpreting, in
other words, what I'm singing.
00:23:50.63\00:23:53.23
Verse 16, now
notice what he says...
00:23:53.76\00:23:55.90
Once again, because the
Holy Spirit gives us this
00:23:59.07\00:24:02.40
ability to bless others.
00:24:02.44\00:24:05.07
Are you understanding
what Paul is saying?
00:24:18.65\00:24:20.39
He says, you know, "If
you're blessing and you're using
00:24:20.42\00:24:22.42
a language that
nobody can understand,
00:24:22.46\00:24:24.23
then how is anybody
going to say, 'amen,'
00:24:24.33\00:24:27.36
to what you're saying?"
00:24:27.40\00:24:28.73
And then he continues
saying, "...since he does not
00:24:29.43\00:24:32.53
understand what you say?"
00:24:32.57\00:24:34.20
The other is not edified
because you didn't interpret,
00:24:38.87\00:24:41.21
and the other
person can't understand.
00:24:41.24\00:24:43.01
Are you following me?
00:24:43.31\00:24:44.65
Now let's go to verse 18.
00:24:44.91\00:24:46.58
The apostle Paul
says, "I speak in tongues
00:24:52.85\00:24:55.32
more than any of you."
00:24:55.36\00:24:56.69
Now let me ask you,
why would God have given
00:24:56.73\00:24:58.63
the apostle Paul more
languages, the ability to speak
00:24:58.66\00:25:02.33
more languages than any
of the others who were there?
00:25:02.36\00:25:04.83
Folks, because the apostle
Paul went on missionary journeys
00:25:05.80\00:25:09.30
all across the Roman Empire.
00:25:09.34\00:25:11.47
And he had needed
to know the languages
00:25:12.31\00:25:14.58
of all of the
nations in the Roman Empire.
00:25:14.61\00:25:16.98
And that's why the apostle
Paul says, "I speak with tongues
00:25:17.28\00:25:20.78
more than you all."
00:25:20.82\00:25:22.15
Because Paul spoke many
languages that were given to him
00:25:22.18\00:25:25.75
by the Holy Spirit so
that he could share the gospel
00:25:25.79\00:25:28.82
all over the Roman Empire.
00:25:28.86\00:25:30.89
And then notice verse 19.
00:25:31.09\00:25:33.66
And Paul says here,
"...yet in the church..."
00:25:34.03\00:25:37.00
Once again, what is
the apostle Paul's concern?
00:25:50.45\00:25:53.08
That the church will what?
00:25:53.55\00:25:55.38
Will understand.
00:25:55.52\00:25:56.99
In other words,
speaking in gibberish.
00:25:57.22\00:26:00.52
You know, some of you
might have seen, for example,
00:26:00.56\00:26:02.92
that program where Kenneth
Copeland blurted out in tongues.
00:26:02.96\00:26:08.46
You know, when Tony Palmer went
to this charismatic convention.
00:26:08.50\00:26:11.47
You know, I was
amazed at what he said.
00:26:12.13\00:26:16.00
I don't know what he said.
00:26:16.04\00:26:17.37
I don't think anybody
there knew what he was saying.
00:26:17.41\00:26:19.77
I don't think that he
even knew what he was saying.
00:26:20.01\00:26:22.18
The Lord didn't
know what he was saying.
00:26:22.31\00:26:24.71
Because he was
speaking simply gibberish.
00:26:25.15\00:26:27.78
Now is that the gift of
tongues that is referred to
00:26:27.95\00:26:30.79
in the Scriptures?
00:26:30.82\00:26:32.15
Absolutely not.
00:26:32.19\00:26:33.56
The gift of tongues is the
ability to speak a language
00:26:33.72\00:26:37.06
that others understand.
00:26:37.09\00:26:38.43
But you're not to use
it like the Corinthians
00:26:38.46\00:26:40.46
to show off and
speak in a language
00:26:40.56\00:26:43.83
that people cannot understand.
00:26:43.87\00:26:45.50
Now the apostle
Paul then says...
00:26:45.70\00:26:47.54
And then in verse 20 he's going
to tell the people to grow up.
00:26:56.78\00:26:59.68
He's saying,
"Quite acting like kids."
00:26:59.71\00:27:01.48
He says...
00:27:01.62\00:27:02.95
You know, children babble.
00:27:06.99\00:27:09.09
Babies babble.
00:27:09.22\00:27:10.56
You don't know
what they're saying.
00:27:10.59\00:27:11.93
He's saying, "Grow up.
00:27:12.03\00:27:13.76
Because you should be
able to speak like an adult."
00:27:14.30\00:27:17.03
So he says...
00:27:17.07\00:27:18.40
In other words, don't
be into evil like an adult.
00:27:22.24\00:27:26.37
Because as we grow up we
become more and more evil,
00:27:26.41\00:27:28.88
generally speaking.
00:27:28.91\00:27:30.25
So it says...
00:27:30.28\00:27:31.61
In other words,
don't talk in languages
00:27:40.56\00:27:42.42
that nobody can understand.
00:27:42.46\00:27:44.19
You know, use the gift to
communicate with other people.
00:27:44.39\00:27:47.96
And then notice verse 21.
00:27:48.00\00:27:49.70
And I'm going to
read, first of all, from the
00:27:49.73\00:27:52.07
New King James Version.
00:27:52.10\00:27:53.50
Here, the apostle Paul says,
"In the law it is written..."
00:27:53.74\00:27:57.11
He's going to
prove his point now.
00:27:57.14\00:27:58.61
He's speaking
about God's people.
00:28:07.42\00:28:09.22
Now you say, "Why does
Paul use this particular verse?"
00:28:14.59\00:28:17.36
By the way, it
comes from Isaiah 28:11.
00:28:17.39\00:28:20.30
Paul is quoting Isaiah
28:11 to prove his point.
00:28:20.33\00:28:24.47
Now what is Paul referring to?
00:28:24.87\00:28:27.04
If you look at Isaiah
28:11, you're going to find that
00:28:27.30\00:28:30.37
God is prophesying to
Israel that they're going to go
00:28:30.41\00:28:35.08
into Assyrian captivity.
00:28:35.11\00:28:37.15
And of course, they could
not understand the language
00:28:38.25\00:28:40.98
of the Assyrians.
00:28:41.02\00:28:42.35
Let me read you the
translation as it appears in the
00:28:42.45\00:28:45.02
New International Version.
00:28:45.05\00:28:46.65
Chapter 14:21.
00:28:47.12\00:28:49.26
Here it says in the NIV...
00:28:49.62\00:28:52.76
Now is the apostle Paul
saying here that God is going to
00:29:07.94\00:29:11.51
speak to His
people through gibberish?
00:29:11.55\00:29:13.65
Did the Assyrians
speak a real language?
00:29:14.48\00:29:17.75
Of course they did.
00:29:17.95\00:29:19.29
Could the people understand
the language of the Assyrians?
00:29:19.32\00:29:21.92
Could Israel understand
the language of the Assyrians?
00:29:21.96\00:29:24.43
No.
00:29:24.46\00:29:25.79
They spoke Hebrew.
00:29:25.83\00:29:27.16
They did not speak the
language of the Assyrians.
00:29:27.20\00:29:29.73
So God is saying,
"I am going to speak
00:29:29.83\00:29:32.37
through men of strange tongues."
00:29:32.47\00:29:34.27
Incidentally, the
word, "strange," there
00:29:34.30\00:29:36.27
is, "heteroglossos."
00:29:36.50\00:29:39.47
Which means,
tongues of another kind.
00:29:39.97\00:29:43.51
Of a different kind than the one
that they spoke, specifically.
00:29:43.55\00:29:47.62
Now let me ask you, who would
these tongues be strange for
00:29:47.65\00:29:50.72
when it says, "through
men of strange tongues,"
00:29:50.75\00:29:53.32
God was going to speak
to His people, to Israel?
00:29:53.36\00:29:55.62
For whom would they be strange?
00:29:55.66\00:29:57.19
For the
Assyrians or for the Jews?
00:29:57.23\00:30:00.13
Of course for the Jews.
00:30:00.66\00:30:02.00
But was it a known
language? A world language?
00:30:02.03\00:30:05.60
It was
definitely a world language.
00:30:05.63\00:30:07.90
So this is not
speaking about gibberish.
00:30:07.94\00:30:10.91
Now the apostle Paul then
goes on in chapter 14:22-25
00:30:11.17\00:30:16.78
to speak about tongues
as a sign for unbelievers.
00:30:17.01\00:30:20.78
Did you know that the
gift of tongues is a sign
00:30:20.82\00:30:23.18
for unbelievers?
00:30:23.22\00:30:24.55
This is what he says...
00:30:25.19\00:30:26.52
So prophecy is
for those who believe,
00:30:39.63\00:30:41.70
and the gift of
tongues is a gift for those
00:30:41.84\00:30:44.57
who do not believe.
00:30:44.61\00:30:46.11
Now we're going to notice
in a minute the reason why.
00:30:46.14\00:30:48.14
Verse 23...
00:30:48.18\00:30:49.51
Notice that the whole church is
gathered together in a building.
00:30:52.88\00:30:55.28
"...and all
speak with tongues..."
00:30:55.72\00:30:57.42
What was happening in Corinth?
00:30:57.45\00:30:59.45
They were all gathering
together in one building,
00:31:00.26\00:31:02.79
and everybody was
speaking in a tongue.
00:31:03.12\00:31:07.00
Or in a language.
00:31:07.23\00:31:08.56
Because God had given that gift.
00:31:08.60\00:31:10.20
Now notice what the
apostle Paul continues saying.
00:31:10.47\00:31:12.70
And an unbeliever or uninformed
person comes in, what happens?
00:31:23.18\00:31:28.68
Are you understanding what
the apostle Paul is saying?
00:31:34.22\00:31:36.22
Yeah, if an unbeliever
comes in and he hears 200 people
00:31:36.59\00:31:39.73
each speaking in a
different language,
00:31:39.76\00:31:41.70
they're going to say,
"These people are crazy."
00:31:41.80\00:31:43.73
Because that person is
not going to understand that
00:31:43.77\00:31:45.67
they're speaking in languages.
00:31:45.70\00:31:47.37
Then the apostle Paul continues
saying, once again verse 23,
00:31:47.40\00:31:50.41
"Therefore if the whole church
comes together in one place..."
00:31:50.44\00:31:52.94
Could people understand
when they were prophesying?
00:32:04.85\00:32:07.36
Yes.
00:32:07.39\00:32:08.72
In other words, if the
person that comes in understands
00:32:26.27\00:32:28.58
what you're
saying, he'll be converted.
00:32:28.61\00:32:30.38
But if he comes in and you're
all speaking with pandemonium
00:32:30.75\00:32:35.82
in different tongues that the
unbeliever does not understand,
00:32:35.85\00:32:39.49
he's going to say,
"You're out of your mind."
00:32:39.52\00:32:41.62
And he's not going to
give that place a second chance
00:32:41.66\00:32:44.59
for him to come to visit it.
00:32:44.66\00:32:46.80
So let me ask you,
on the day of Pentecost
00:32:47.03\00:32:49.96
was the gift of
tongues a sign for unbelievers?
00:32:50.00\00:32:54.24
It most certainly was.
00:32:55.27\00:32:56.87
Because the apostle spoke in
the languages of the nations.
00:32:57.14\00:33:01.41
And when those who were
present there heard the apostle
00:33:01.64\00:33:04.88
speaking in their own
language, they were convicted.
00:33:04.91\00:33:08.42
It says that they were
convicted in their hearts.
00:33:08.45\00:33:10.79
And 3000 unbelievers
were baptized that very day.
00:33:10.82\00:33:14.92
Because the gift
of tongues showed them
00:33:14.96\00:33:18.43
that what the
disciples were preaching
00:33:18.53\00:33:21.16
was truly God's message.
00:33:21.20\00:33:24.90
So what was the
problem in Corinth?
00:33:25.10\00:33:27.27
The problem in Corinth was that
people were speaking in tongues.
00:33:27.30\00:33:32.31
And by the way, remember
that once the gift of tongues
00:33:32.41\00:33:34.91
was given, it stayed with
people the rest of their lives.
00:33:34.94\00:33:37.91
That's a very important point.
00:33:37.95\00:33:39.35
So these people in
Corinth had received the gift
00:33:39.71\00:33:42.28
of speaking languages,
and they were in church
00:33:42.32\00:33:45.89
and everybody was
speaking in the language
00:33:45.92\00:33:47.69
that they had received.
00:33:47.72\00:33:49.19
And it was pandemonium.
00:33:49.52\00:33:50.96
Because nobody could
understand anybody else.
00:33:51.23\00:33:55.13
And so this would
certainly not reach unbelievers
00:33:55.16\00:33:58.50
with the gospel.
00:33:58.53\00:33:59.87
As we have seen, the gift of
tongues, as well as all other
00:33:59.90\00:34:02.74
gifts, have the
purpose of reaching unbelievers
00:34:02.77\00:34:06.34
for Jesus Christ.
00:34:06.37\00:34:07.71
It is not to exhibit our
own gift that God has given us.
00:34:07.74\00:34:12.81
Now we need to go to
speak about the interpretation
00:34:13.65\00:34:17.95
of tongues.
00:34:17.99\00:34:19.32
Paul covers this specific
subject in 1 Corinthians 14:5
00:34:19.92\00:34:24.59
briefly, and then verse 13, and
verse 26, and also 27 and 28.
00:34:24.63\00:34:31.80
What is meant by the
gift of interpreting tongues?
00:34:31.90\00:34:36.20
The apostle Paul makes it
clear that interpreting tongues
00:34:36.24\00:34:39.27
is a spiritual gift, by the way.
00:34:39.31\00:34:41.71
Basically what it is,
is the art of translation.
00:34:42.31\00:34:46.75
That's what the gift
of interpretation is.
00:34:46.85\00:34:49.38
Let me give you two or
three biblical examples.
00:34:49.68\00:34:52.49
Acts 9:36 uses this
same word, "interpret."
00:34:52.82\00:34:57.66
It says, speaking about
that charitable woman known as,
00:34:57.99\00:35:03.40
Dorcas, the following...
00:35:03.43\00:35:05.57
Tabitha. That's
Hebrew, by the way.
00:35:09.74\00:35:12.17
"...which is..." What?
00:35:12.47\00:35:13.88
"...translated," or
interpreted, "Dorcas," in Greek.
00:35:14.21\00:35:18.75
So what is the
gift of interpretation?
00:35:19.05\00:35:21.55
It's the gift of what?
00:35:21.72\00:35:23.35
Of translating a tongue.
00:35:23.39\00:35:25.62
That is also a spiritual gift.
00:35:25.72\00:35:27.56
Notice in the Old
Testament Genesis 42:23
00:35:28.02\00:35:31.79
in the Septuagint,
the Greek translation of
00:35:32.13\00:35:34.20
the Old Testament,
speaking about Joseph
00:35:34.23\00:35:36.87
and when his
brothers came to visit him...
00:35:36.97\00:35:39.57
So somebody was interpreting
what Joseph was saying.
00:35:46.47\00:35:50.38
And then Daniel
5:26-28 speaks about the
00:35:50.58\00:35:54.85
handwriting on the wall.
00:35:54.88\00:35:56.22
And it says there, "This is the
interpretation of each word."
00:35:56.32\00:36:00.29
Notice once again,
the interpretation.
00:36:00.32\00:36:02.16
It's explaining
the meaning of it.
00:36:02.19\00:36:04.09
Let me ask you, was there
any need for interpretation of
00:36:16.30\00:36:19.51
tongues on the day of Pentecost?
00:36:19.54\00:36:21.34
There was no need
to interpret tongues.
00:36:21.98\00:36:24.05
Because the
apostles were speaking in the
00:36:24.45\00:36:26.75
tongues of the nations there.
00:36:26.78\00:36:28.68
And the nations that
were represented there
00:36:28.95\00:36:30.95
could understand what
the apostles were saying
00:36:30.99\00:36:33.39
without needing
an interpretation.
00:36:33.42\00:36:35.96
Are you
following me on that point?
00:36:35.99\00:36:37.43
Now, the apostle Paul also
gives regulating principles
00:36:37.79\00:36:42.26
for the use of the
gift of tongues in church.
00:36:42.36\00:36:45.47
I want you to notice that the
apostle Paul is interested in
00:36:45.50\00:36:49.04
not turning away
unbelievers from the church.
00:36:49.07\00:36:51.51
You know, I don't
know if you've ever been to
00:36:51.91\00:36:53.88
a Pentecostal church
where people speak in tongues.
00:36:53.91\00:36:57.65
I'll tell you, I
have been to several.
00:36:58.11\00:36:59.85
And it's kind of
a scary experience.
00:36:59.88\00:37:02.28
You know, usually the minister
gets up and he starts out
00:37:02.58\00:37:06.35
real soft and slow.
00:37:06.39\00:37:08.12
And these days, you
know, of course they use drums
00:37:08.32\00:37:10.79
and they use music.
00:37:10.83\00:37:12.16
And then the pastor
gets revved up more and more,
00:37:12.19\00:37:15.53
and the music
gets louder and louder,
00:37:15.56\00:37:17.27
and the drums get
louder and louder.
00:37:17.47\00:37:19.27
And pretty soon
everybody is hyped up,
00:37:19.30\00:37:21.20
and everybody is speaking in a
tongue that nobody understands.
00:37:21.24\00:37:24.37
Not languages of the world.
00:37:24.74\00:37:26.47
But everybody, it's pandemonium,
everybody is talking at the
00:37:26.51\00:37:30.15
same time in the church.
00:37:30.18\00:37:31.51
You know what?
00:37:32.05\00:37:33.38
I was not converted when
I went to those churches.
00:37:34.32\00:37:37.89
I said, "This is crazy."
00:37:38.19\00:37:40.29
You know, God wants
us to share the gospel
00:37:40.79\00:37:42.92
in a way in which
it can be understood.
00:37:42.96\00:37:44.99
But if I was an
unbeliever entering there,
00:37:45.56\00:37:48.03
I would
definitely not come back.
00:37:48.13\00:37:50.97
Now notice what the apostle Paul
says in 1 Corinthians 14:26-29.
00:37:51.47\00:37:57.97
He says, "How is
it then, brethren?"
00:37:58.44\00:38:01.04
Edification of whom?
00:38:16.79\00:38:18.19
Of the person? No.
Edification of the church.
00:38:18.69\00:38:21.73
That's being violated
by the charismatics today.
00:38:30.11\00:38:32.97
Because everybody is
speaking. It's not two or three.
00:38:33.01\00:38:35.28
And notice what the
apostle Paul continues saying.
00:38:35.31\00:38:37.48
In other words, not everybody
speaking at the same time.
00:38:44.95\00:38:48.26
So if you speak in a tongue...
00:38:51.79\00:38:53.29
Say, for example, if somebody
came from China to visit
00:38:53.33\00:38:57.47
Fresno Central Church and
wanted to give a testimony,
00:38:57.50\00:39:00.60
and I had somebody in
the church who was able
00:39:00.87\00:39:02.50
to interpret Chinese, you
know, it wouldn't be the case of
00:39:02.54\00:39:05.47
a person from China
coming up and giving his
00:39:05.51\00:39:08.41
testimony in Chinese.
00:39:08.44\00:39:09.78
A very small segment of
the people would understand.
00:39:10.25\00:39:13.25
But when you have
somebody who can translate
00:39:13.45\00:39:16.32
the testimony from
Chinese to English,
00:39:16.35\00:39:18.75
then the church is benefited.
00:39:18.79\00:39:20.92
So the apostle Paul
says, if you're going to speak
00:39:20.96\00:39:22.99
in a tongue, or you're going
to give a testimony in a tongue,
00:39:23.02\00:39:24.96
or you're going
to pray in a tongue,
00:39:24.99\00:39:26.33
or you're going
to sing in a tongue,
00:39:26.36\00:39:27.70
make sure that there's
somebody that will interpret
00:39:27.73\00:39:30.17
what you're saying so
that the entire church
00:39:30.20\00:39:32.83
can be benefited.
00:39:32.87\00:39:34.20
And then the apostle
Paul says in verse 28...
00:39:34.44\00:39:36.84
Is that clear?
00:39:47.42\00:39:48.75
I mean, it's as
clear as the noon day.
00:39:48.78\00:39:51.75
Now notice verses 33-40.
00:39:51.99\00:39:55.09
Here the apostle Paul says...
00:39:55.12\00:39:56.46
So let's summarize what the
apostle Paul says concerning
00:40:19.25\00:40:22.08
regulations of the use
of the gift of tongues.
00:40:22.12\00:40:24.49
Number one, it must be for
the edification of the church.
00:40:24.65\00:40:27.62
Number two, a maximum
of two or three can speak.
00:40:27.72\00:40:31.49
Number three, it
has to be one at a time.
00:40:31.79\00:40:34.83
Number four, there
has to be translation
00:40:35.03\00:40:38.13
or interpretation of
what the person is saying.
00:40:38.17\00:40:40.30
If there is no interpreter,
the person who speaks in tongues
00:40:40.64\00:40:44.31
must be quiet.
00:40:44.37\00:40:46.27
And everything must be
done decently and in order.
00:40:46.31\00:40:49.31
And the apostle Paul
says that this command is for
00:40:49.34\00:40:52.55
all of the churches.
00:40:52.68\00:40:54.68
Now let me mention this:
00:40:55.58\00:40:57.05
Let's take for example a
preacher that gets up and starts
00:40:58.05\00:41:01.26
speaking in a strange language
that no one understands.
00:41:01.29\00:41:04.36
Does that benefit the church?
00:41:05.03\00:41:06.56
Let me ask you, how do you know
what that individual is saying?
00:41:07.36\00:41:10.47
Would that necessarily
be a message from God?
00:41:10.67\00:41:13.17
No.
00:41:14.00\00:41:15.34
You say, "Well, but what
if he speaks in a language
00:41:15.37\00:41:17.27
that nobody understands,
but then you have somebody
00:41:17.31\00:41:19.94
who interprets what
the person is saying?"
00:41:19.97\00:41:22.08
You say, "Now how do you
know that the interpretation
00:41:22.18\00:41:24.88
of what that person is speaking
is a true interpretation?"
00:41:24.91\00:41:27.78
Folks, God gives us an external
test for us to check out
00:41:27.82\00:41:32.69
to see if an individual is
speaking in the name of God.
00:41:32.72\00:41:35.82
And that is whether the
person speaks in harmony
00:41:36.16\00:41:39.79
with God's Holy Word.
00:41:39.83\00:41:41.23
So if an individual
stands up and he starts
00:41:41.40\00:41:43.47
speaking in a tongue
and he's teaching that the
00:41:43.50\00:41:45.97
dead aren't dead, and that
we're suppose to go to church
00:41:46.00\00:41:48.37
on Sunday, you can be
certain that it is not
00:41:48.40\00:41:51.07
the biblical gift of tongues.
00:41:51.11\00:41:53.11
Now, some charismatic groups
believe that the gift of tongues
00:41:53.71\00:41:58.71
is a test of spirituality.
00:41:58.75\00:42:01.08
In fact, they make
members feel guilty
00:42:02.08\00:42:05.25
if they don't speak in tongues.
00:42:05.79\00:42:08.12
They are told that if
they don't speak in tongues,
00:42:08.56\00:42:11.03
they don't have the Holy Spirit.
00:42:11.06\00:42:12.66
And I've known Pentecostals
that feel very guilty
00:42:12.86\00:42:15.80
and they do their utmost to
receive the gift of tongues,
00:42:15.83\00:42:19.60
to speak in tongues.
00:42:19.63\00:42:21.37
But according to the
Bible, folks, the test of your
00:42:21.84\00:42:24.71
spirituality is not in the
ability of speaking tongues.
00:42:24.74\00:42:28.78
It is in the fruit of
the Spirit in your life.
00:42:28.94\00:42:32.11
That is the test
of your spirituality,
00:42:32.15\00:42:34.48
according to Jesus.
00:42:34.52\00:42:35.98
Now, the gifts of the Spirit
and the fruit of the Spirit
00:42:36.79\00:42:41.66
are related, because they
both come from the Spirit.
00:42:41.69\00:42:44.49
Now I want you to
notice Matthew 7:21-23.
00:42:45.66\00:42:49.50
Matthew 7:21-23
00:42:49.53\00:42:52.03
Here, Jesus is speaking
about a group of Christians
00:42:52.53\00:42:55.64
in the last days who will be
performing supernatural acts.
00:42:55.67\00:43:00.78
And you would say,
"Well, if they're performing
00:43:01.08\00:43:02.68
supernatural acts, they
must be followers of Jesus.
00:43:02.71\00:43:05.91
They must be the real deal."
00:43:05.95\00:43:07.58
Let's notice what Jesus said.
00:43:07.62\00:43:09.52
"Not everyone who says
to Me, 'Lord, Lord...'"
00:43:09.82\00:43:12.89
Would those be
Christians, by the way?
00:43:12.92\00:43:14.56
Only a Christian
would say, "Lord, Lord."
00:43:14.92\00:43:16.96
It's the same word that is used
in 1 John 3:4 where it says,
00:43:48.92\00:43:51.89
"Sin is
transgression of the law."
00:43:51.93\00:43:54.16
It could have been translated,
00:43:54.20\00:43:55.56
"Depart from Me, you
transgressors of the law."
00:43:55.60\00:43:58.90
So let me ask you, is
it possible for a supposed
00:43:59.87\00:44:02.30
Christian to cast out
demons, and to give prophecies,
00:44:02.34\00:44:05.67
and to perform miracles,
and not to be a true follower
00:44:05.71\00:44:08.34
of Jesus Christ?
00:44:08.38\00:44:09.71
And what is the litmus test?
00:44:09.74\00:44:11.61
Is it whether you speak
in tongues or whether you
00:44:11.65\00:44:13.98
live a lawless life?
00:44:14.02\00:44:15.45
It's whether you
live a lawless life.
00:44:15.72\00:44:18.19
Whether you insist on
transgressing the law.
00:44:18.69\00:44:20.96
You say, "Well, what if I
keep nine of the commandments?"
00:44:20.99\00:44:23.32
Not good enough.
00:44:23.43\00:44:24.76
The Bible says that God
has given ten commandments,
00:44:25.03\00:44:27.36
including the
Sabbath commandment.
00:44:27.40\00:44:29.20
And He expects Christians
to keep those commandments,
00:44:29.30\00:44:31.90
not in order to be saved,
00:44:32.10\00:44:34.24
not so that they're
better than other people,
00:44:34.40\00:44:36.64
but because they love Jesus.
00:44:36.74\00:44:38.67
Because Jesus
said, "If you love Me,
00:44:38.71\00:44:40.91
you will keep My commandments."
00:44:41.01\00:44:42.64
Now, I want you to
notice Luke 6:46-49,
00:44:43.01\00:44:47.68
because this passage
links with the statement
00:44:47.95\00:44:51.95
of those who will
call Jesus, "Lord, Lord."
00:44:53.36\00:44:55.96
Now let's notice Luke 6:46-49.
00:44:55.99\00:44:59.39
It's one thing to
say, "Lord, Lord."
00:45:07.30\00:45:09.20
It's another thing to
do the things that God says
00:45:09.24\00:45:11.47
we're suppose to do.
00:45:11.51\00:45:12.84
And then Jesus is going
to give an illustration.
00:45:13.34\00:45:15.58
So what is the test of
a person's spirituality?
00:45:53.35\00:45:56.42
Is it that he performs miracles?
00:45:56.52\00:45:58.49
Is it that he casts out demons?
00:45:58.52\00:46:00.66
Is it that he does many
signs in the name of Jesus?
00:46:00.69\00:46:05.76
Is it because he
speaks in tongues?
00:46:05.79\00:46:07.80
Absolutely not.
00:46:07.96\00:46:09.30
The test of an individual's
spirituality is if that person
00:46:09.46\00:46:13.80
does the will of the
Father who is in heaven.
00:46:13.84\00:46:16.54
And if the person teaches
that we can transgress the law,
00:46:16.67\00:46:20.14
even in one of the commandments,
we can be sure that the gifts
00:46:20.18\00:46:23.98
that person has are not
gifts of the Holy Spirit.
00:46:24.01\00:46:27.15
Now let's go to
Galatians 5:19-23.
00:46:27.62\00:46:31.55
Here, the apostle Paul is going
to speak about the fruit of
00:46:31.75\00:46:34.89
the life as an
evidence of the real deal.
00:46:34.92\00:46:37.89
He says this...
00:46:38.26\00:46:39.59
By the way, if you look at
that list, every one of those
00:47:26.17\00:47:29.68
things on that list are
violations of one of the
00:47:29.71\00:47:32.51
ten commandments.
00:47:32.55\00:47:33.88
If you look carefully.
00:47:34.08\00:47:35.42
Murders, adultery, lying;
you know, all of those are
00:47:35.45\00:47:38.72
violations of
the ten commandments.
00:47:38.75\00:47:40.16
So the apostle Paul is
saying, those who break God's
00:47:40.19\00:47:42.86
commandments and live in
this way, they're not going to
00:47:42.89\00:47:45.03
inherit the kingdom of God.
00:47:45.06\00:47:46.39
No matter how much they
say that you're saved by grace
00:47:46.43\00:47:49.06
through faith, if your
life doesn't show the fruit
00:47:49.10\00:47:51.10
of the spirit, you're not going
to enter the kingdom of God.
00:47:51.13\00:47:53.74
That's what the
apostle Paul is saying.
00:47:53.84\00:47:55.44
And now notice the contrast.
00:47:56.00\00:47:57.77
Verse 22, "But..."
00:47:58.14\00:47:59.97
In other words, in contrast
to this long list that he's
00:48:00.28\00:48:03.11
just given of transgressions of
the ten commandments, he says...
00:48:03.14\00:48:06.51
Let me ask you, do you know of
any law that forbids goodness?
00:48:22.63\00:48:27.20
Do you know of any
law that forbids kindness?
00:48:28.97\00:48:33.07
Do you know of any law
that forbids gentleness,
00:48:33.61\00:48:36.75
and
faithfulness, and temperance?
00:48:36.78\00:48:38.58
I don't know of any law
that forbids those things.
00:48:38.61\00:48:40.72
So the apostle Paul is
saying, the fruit of the Spirit
00:48:40.75\00:48:43.28
are this list of things.
00:48:43.39\00:48:44.85
And he says, "There's no
law that forbids these things.
00:48:44.89\00:48:47.59
But there is a law that
forbids the other things."
00:48:47.62\00:48:50.23
Now go with me
to Ezekiel 36:25-27.
00:48:50.86\00:48:55.23
Ezekiel 36:25-27
00:48:55.26\00:48:58.07
This is speaking about God's
people after the Babylonian
00:48:58.27\00:49:00.94
captivity and what God
is going to do for them.
00:49:00.97\00:49:03.10
Notice what God says.
00:49:03.30\00:49:05.17
What happens when we
gave the Holy Spirit?
00:49:33.77\00:49:35.47
Is the test that we have the
Holy Spirit speaking in tongues,
00:49:35.70\00:49:38.51
and casting out demons, and
performing miraculous healings?
00:49:38.54\00:49:41.91
No, no, no.
00:49:41.94\00:49:43.28
Here we find the prophet Ezekiel
saying, God is speaking...
00:49:43.31\00:49:47.52
"...to walk..." That
has to do with behavior.
00:49:52.29\00:49:54.82
So what is the
evidence that you have
00:50:01.03\00:50:02.46
the Holy Spirit in your heart?
00:50:02.50\00:50:03.83
The fact that you
walk in God's statutes
00:50:05.07\00:50:07.60
and you keep His
judgments to do them.
00:50:07.64\00:50:10.77
In other words,
the fruit of your life.
00:50:11.27\00:50:13.14
Notice Romans 6:22.
00:50:13.38\00:50:16.24
Here, the apostle Paul once
again speaks about the fruit.
00:50:16.28\00:50:19.08
And by the way, I'm not saying
that you're saved by your life,
00:50:19.18\00:50:24.15
by the lifestyle that you live.
00:50:24.19\00:50:25.99
What I'm saying is that
when you truly know Jesus Christ
00:50:26.42\00:50:29.89
as your Savior, and you
have Jesus Christ in your heart,
00:50:29.92\00:50:33.43
the fruit of your
life will show it.
00:50:33.46\00:50:35.83
And if you don't have any fruit,
00:50:36.70\00:50:38.57
there's something
wrong with the root.
00:50:38.60\00:50:40.57
Notice Romans 6:22.
00:50:41.60\00:50:44.37
Here, the apostle Paul says...
00:50:44.84\00:50:46.17
So what is the fruit?
00:50:58.85\00:51:00.19
The fruit is holiness.
00:51:00.72\00:51:02.29
So when you have
been delivered from sin
00:51:09.76\00:51:11.67
and you have become a
slave of Jesus Christ,
00:51:11.70\00:51:13.54
what are you going
to show in your life?
00:51:13.57\00:51:15.30
The fruit of holiness, is
what the apostle Paul is saying.
00:51:15.50\00:51:18.34
That is the
litmus test of whether
00:51:18.37\00:51:20.84
you have the Holy Spirit.
00:51:20.88\00:51:22.21
It's not whether
you speak in tongues.
00:51:22.24\00:51:24.25
Notice what we
find in Matthew 3:10.
00:51:24.68\00:51:27.78
Here, John the Baptist is
preaching, and he says this...
00:51:27.82\00:51:30.89
Do you see how time
after time after time
00:51:43.93\00:51:46.23
you have the idea of producing
fruit as the signal that
00:51:46.43\00:51:49.87
you are truly in Christ Jesus?
00:51:49.90\00:51:52.04
Notice also Acts 5:32.
00:51:52.47\00:51:57.15
Acts 5:32
00:51:57.18\00:51:58.98
Here, Peter is speaking to
the members of the Sanhedrin,
00:51:59.28\00:52:03.45
the governing body
of the Jewish nations,
00:52:03.82\00:52:05.69
and he says...
00:52:05.72\00:52:07.06
"...whom God has given to those
who have the gift of tongues."
00:52:13.33\00:52:17.30
To those who cast out devils.
00:52:20.37\00:52:22.70
To those who heal the sick.
00:52:23.61\00:52:25.77
No.
00:52:26.24\00:52:27.58
It says that He also
has given His Holy Spirit
00:52:27.61\00:52:31.28
"to those who obey
Him," according to Scripture.
00:52:31.31\00:52:35.48
Obedience is the litmus test
that you have the Holy Spirit
00:52:35.58\00:52:39.05
in your life, not speaking
in tongues or any other gift.
00:52:39.09\00:52:42.52
Notice John 14:15-16.
00:52:43.46\00:52:46.39
Here you have connected love,
commandments, and Holy Spirit.
00:52:46.56\00:52:50.13
Notice what it says.
Here, Jesus is speaking.
00:52:50.17\00:52:52.40
"If you love Me..."
00:52:52.83\00:52:54.67
How do we show
that we love Jesus?
00:52:58.24\00:53:00.04
By keeping His nine
commandments, right?
00:53:00.98\00:53:03.11
Oh, ten commandments.
00:53:03.58\00:53:05.25
Do we show our love
for Jesus when we spend
00:53:05.28\00:53:07.12
the Sabbath with Him?
00:53:07.15\00:53:08.48
So if you don't want to
spend the Sabbath with Him,
00:53:09.02\00:53:10.95
that would be a problem, right?
00:53:10.99\00:53:12.39
Do we enjoy spending
time with someone we love?
00:53:12.79\00:53:15.09
So if Jesus says,
"I'm coming every Sabbath
00:53:15.62\00:53:17.73
and I want to
spend all day with you,"
00:53:17.76\00:53:19.23
and you say,
"Thanks, but no thanks.
00:53:19.26\00:53:20.80
I have to go shopping,"
there's something wrong
00:53:20.83\00:53:23.83
with your love relationship
with Jesus, isn't there?
00:53:23.87\00:53:26.23
And so it says there...
00:53:26.27\00:53:27.64
Do you notice the three steps?
00:53:39.61\00:53:41.02
"If you love Me,
keep My commandments.
00:53:41.05\00:53:43.35
And I will pray to the Father
that He will give you..." What?
00:53:43.39\00:53:45.99
"...that He will
give you the Holy Spirit."
00:53:46.19\00:53:48.66
Jesus also, in John
15, and we're going to read
00:53:49.16\00:53:52.56
verses 2, 4, 5, 8, 10,
and 16, Jesus spoke about
00:53:52.59\00:53:57.10
the importance of fruit.
00:53:57.13\00:53:58.53
He says, "Every branch in
Me that does not bear fruit..."
00:53:58.57\00:54:01.90
What is the evidence that
we abide in the love of Jesus?
00:54:46.72\00:54:49.12
That we keep His commandments.
00:54:49.65\00:54:51.25
Then Jesus says...
00:54:51.65\00:54:52.99
So what is the litmus test
that we have the Holy Spirit?
00:55:07.74\00:55:10.91
Is it the fact that we
have the gifts of the Spirit
00:55:10.94\00:55:13.48
or is it the fact that we
have the fruit of the Spirit?
00:55:13.58\00:55:16.75
It is the fruit of the Spirit
that shows whether we are the
00:55:16.98\00:55:20.35
real deal or whether we
are a counterfeit or a fake.
00:55:20.38\00:55:25.02
If you claim to be
connected with Jesus
00:55:26.52\00:55:28.92
but you don't bear any fruit,
your relationship with Jesus
00:55:28.96\00:55:32.29
is a counterfeit.
00:55:32.33\00:55:33.83
Do you remember once
Jesus cursed a fig tree?
00:55:34.20\00:55:38.90
Why did He curse the fig tree?
00:55:39.13\00:55:41.07
He cursed the fig
tree because the fig tree
00:55:42.24\00:55:44.91
had no fruit.
00:55:45.07\00:55:48.04
Notice Matthew
21:19, our last text.
00:55:48.58\00:55:52.21
What happened with the fig tree?
00:55:52.51\00:55:53.98
He cursed it
because it had no fruit.
00:55:54.02\00:55:56.08
It says there...
00:55:56.85\00:55:58.19
So it was a beautiful
tree. It had lots of leaves.
00:56:07.06\00:56:09.43
But, you know, if
you have an avocado tree
00:56:10.83\00:56:13.17
and all it has is leaves
and never produces one avocado,
00:56:13.20\00:56:15.74
you'll say, "Now wait a minute.
00:56:16.24\00:56:17.57
There's something wrong here."
00:56:17.61\00:56:18.94
And so it says...
00:56:19.14\00:56:20.48
So what happens with
a person who does not
00:56:32.92\00:56:35.12
have fruit in his life?
00:56:35.19\00:56:36.52
What happens with
his spiritual life?
00:56:36.56\00:56:38.53
His spiritual life withers
away, according to Scripture.
00:56:38.83\00:56:43.57
So folks, let's not focus
on tongues as the litmus test
00:56:44.03\00:56:48.40
of the presence of
the Spirit in our lives.
00:56:48.67\00:56:50.77
We have to focus on loving
Jesus, keeping His commandments,
00:56:51.64\00:56:56.01
and bearing fruit in our lives
for His honor and for His glory.
00:56:56.04\00:57:00.62
This is the litmus test
that we truly know Jesus Christ
00:57:00.82\00:57:05.05
as our Savior and as our Lord.
00:57:05.15\00:57:08.56