10-20-10 Sorrell 1 Cor Message 53: Toungues in Divers Places

Tongues in Divers Places

Text: 1 Cor. 14:14-20

Introduction: Definition of tongues and unknown tongues

Tongues: any Language

Unknown tongue: A tongue spoken in an audience that has no one who understands.  The speaker may or may not understand.

I.          Speaking tongues to myself – verses 14-15

A.        Singing or praying alone, it is best for the understanding to be fruitful

Ephesians 5:18-19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

B.        Groanings that cannot be uttered cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

II.        The Unlearned – verses 16-17

A.        Public prayer is OK

B.        It must edify the hearers

III.       Paul as the example The Church – verses 18-19

A.        The objective is edification, exhortation and comfort

1 Cor 14:3

B.        This is why understanding is so important

Acts 8:28-31 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. ²⁹Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. ³⁰And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? ³¹And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Proverbs 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

IV.       Why compare it to malice?  Understanding edifies and therefore builds up,  Malice tears down – Verse 20

A.        We help our brothers when we help them understand the Word.  Our enmity towards them because of what we perceive as their spiritual retardation only pushes them further from God.

B.        When malice is directed toward the pulpit this has a multiplier effect

Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.