The Importance Of Tongues by Brother Curtis Hansen

         Today's message is about the utterance of tongues. If you're seeking the holy ghost, you should arm yourself with knowledge of what you're seeking. You should be able to know and explain tongues and the why to speak. You should know where it is in the bible and why it is still important still today.

        We are going to go to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 12. We will be reading from verse 10.

        10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.

        11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.        

        There are gifts, ministries, and callings in the faith. The speaking of tongues is written in several books of the bible, most specifically in the new testament.

        Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians is listing the diversities of gifts. The first type of tongues is a personal conversation between you and God. It is to refresh your spirit, to restore your soul.

        The second type of tongues is the ministry of tongues. The third type is speaking an unknown language. These are the 3 types of tongues. We serve a God of variety. He's going to keep you on your toes because he will communicate with you in other ways.

        Tongues are not random. Stir up the gift inside you. Tongues are an intentional expression of the spirit. Paul referred to this in scripture as divers types of tongues.

        We are briefly going to go to the book of Isaiah. The 28th chapter beginning at verse 11.

        11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

        12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

        As we can see in the book of Isaiah, tongues will revive you and refresh you. Let's look at 1 Corinthians chapter 14:2.

        2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

        This is a private prayer language. A spirit led direct communication to God. The devotion component is it will deepen your relationship with God. Builds you up spiritually in all seasons of life.

        The ministry gift of tongues requires an interpretation. If we look at chapter 14 and verse 27, Paul writes;

        27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

        This is a gift to the edifying of the church. Given in gatherings and subject to interpretation. Let's go back to chapter 12 and read verse 5.

        5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

        We need to know why to do it. Tongues are not limited in the sanctuary. You can have everyone speak in tongues, but as Paul would write, he would rather have people prophesied. Prophecy aides the whole group. Without interpretation it can cause confusion because it's incomplete. God speaks to people through people. Order matters in spiritual expression. The sign of tongues is the utterance of tongues. For a more detailed account of tongues, study Acts chapter 2 in the coming week. 

        Why limit the gift to just church on Sunday? Tongues are evangelistic when used practically. Focus on what you control and what you can do.

        1) devotion between you and God

        2) ministry of tongues

        3) speaking an unknown tongue

        It is one spirit leading it all. Tongues edify God. If it isn't, what are you doing? I will conclude with this scripture this morning from 1 Corinthians 12:4.

    

        4 Now there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.