By Pastor Bob Rasmussen
· Good morning to those here and to those watching online on YouTube, Facebook, and our website.
· Opening prayer.
· This morning I want to speak about the gift of tongues
· There are a few new followers and some people I think in our lives that do not really understand what it is and why some people experience it.
· There are many times I have a thought on what I am going to speak about, and I ask God to give me some sort of confirmation. I do that because I want to speak about what He wants, not just what I want.
· I had a busy week, and I was not able to make bible study physically, but I was able to watch the live stream. We have bible Study at 6 PM on Thursdays. If you can’t make it in person, you can do what I did and watch it online. That was when I got the confirmation.
· What happened was that Tiera shared that someone who had come to our church for the first time left immediately when someone was speaking in tongues.
· Now, I also know that feeling. When Diana and I were dating, she took me to a church many of you knew, Abundant Life church. I have shared before how I was raised Catholic, and if you know anything about that religion, it is very structured. It is what I would say is lifeless, at least for me.
· The only people that speak are the priest and maybe a scripture reader.
· Anyways, when I went to a spirit-filled church and experienced seeing it, I too wanted to walk out of the church. It made me super uncomfortable. I did not understand what was going on. I was not educated. I had never heard what it even was.
· But over time, learning the Word, praying, and growing closer to Jesus, things changed – praise the Lord and now it is something I cherish deeply.
· As I studied this week, I was reminded of how controversial it is among Christians. DION SANDERS This morning, I am not here to bash anyone who believes differently – there is enough of that. In this growing world of hate and persecution, Christians need to spend more time encouraging one another, amen?
· Let’s start with the word tongues. In the Bible, the Greek word is glosa (GLOCE-SA), and it simply means — language.
· I think that is one of the reasons people freak out a little. Speaking in tongues sounds a little weird if you have never really researched it or heard a word on it, which is my purpose today – and why the title of my sermon is “Heavenly Language”. Because that is how I see it. It is a language. A heavenly language.
· Generally speaking, there are two broad views on whether this gift, speaking in tongues, still exists today.
· One belief is called cessationism, which is a big word that believes that gifts like speaking in tongues, the gift of prophecy, and healing were only for the time of the apostles.
· Cessationism says that after the apostles died and Scripture was completed, these gifts ceased. POOF
· In my research they describe these gifts as “sign gifts”.
· They believe that these gifts were given to the apostles as signs that authenticated their message and gave them authority to the world that was watching them.
· The other view, the correct view in my opinion, is called continuationism, which teaches and believes that these gifts, including the gift of tongues, continued and still continue today.
· So this morning, I would like to look at what the Word has to say about it, without the fancy names, just what the Lord says. And if this is something that you have struggled with, or if you are new – we have a few new followers and viewers- I hope that this message speaks to your heart and spirit so that it is something that you can embrace and hopefully receive and practice because it is scriptural, because it is relevant, and because it is a gift that I believe that the Lord wants you to have.
· Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
· Tongues are not something that we study to learn to speak; it comes from the Holy Ghost, and what we speak is a spirit-given language.
· When we speak in this language, it is directed toward God. We speak it when we pray and when we praise. Unless you really know Jesus, it does seem foreign and strange.
· 1 Corinthians 14:2 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.
· And a little further into this chapter we see this:
· 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
· When we speak in this heavenly language, it is evidence and serves a purpose to those who do not believe.
· Many years ago, before I knew Diana, I was dating a woman who took me to meet her parents. I do not even recall where that was. What I do remember is going to church with her family.
· It was a spirit-filled church; I do not remember its name. What I do remember is that, during praise, someone was speaking in tongues. I had no idea what they were saying, but I can now explain that I felt very convicted – that there was something that was missing in my life.
· I do not believe that is the primary purpose of tongues, but based on what I experienced, I believe it can convict. Unfortunately, it can also turn people completely away from God – they think that whoever is speaking is just off their rocker.
· 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
· I think that this is one of the most powerful scriptures on the gift of tongues, praying in the spirit.
· When I am in prayer, I will pray for things and people in my life, that is the truth. I plead for healing, for favor and whatever folks need, including myself.
· However, there are times that my need is so great, I pray in the Spirit for the things that I mentioned. These can be very intense prayer sessions for me. I experience an intense closeness to the Lord when I pray and speak in tongues.
· I also make time to pray as I feel led by God to pray. In those times when I am praying in tongues, I pray what I am led to pray. I may not have a clear understanding of what it is or for who it is for, all I know is I am submitting to the will of God to be a person of prayer. I am speaking in the language of heaven.
· Another reason that I am with the group that believes that all these gifts continue to this day is that this gift of speaking in tongues has a purpose.
· I believe that it helps encourage, empower, and build up God’s people. And I also believe that it helps build God’s church.
· If you recall, these gifts were a promise to His people.
· Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
· That promise delivered is inherently why we gather together here in this body.
· Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
· The power of the Holy Ghost is what empowers all of us who believe and have received it. It also allows us to reach others who may not even speak their own language using the gift of tongues.
· Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
· I find this so amazing! It was that power that allowed everyone who was there to have the ability to speak in the languages of those who had not yet believed. Those folks were astounded that Christ was being preached in their own language, which was only possible with the power of that Holy Ghost.
· Amazing!
· And I wholly believe that this power continues today for all that would receive it.
· Now there is a verse that is used by people who do not believe that speaking in tongues is dead. It’s over. It is finished.
· 1 Corinthians 13: 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
· And if I do not know the whole word of God, if I want to take the easy way out, honestly, if I am lazy, then I would agree with them. But they are taking that verse and the purpose of the gifts of God out of context. The Bible continues:
· 1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
· Yes, the spiritual gifts will go away when that which is perfect, Jesus, comes- when Jesus returns. Do not try to take away that which God has ordained and given to His people. Those are the actions of people who want to be in control and in charge. Let Jesus be in charge! Let His Spirit be the engine of your church, let His Spirit be the guide, and let Him be the leader.
· 1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 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.
· That does not sound like a cancellation of anything. To me, it reads as the Lord working His Spirit with His people until His return. Enabling His people and church to fulfill the greater commission. When there is a new heaven and a new earth.
· Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
· For those that have done missions, God bless you. That has not been something I have done. But I am sure that having the Holy Ghost, being able to pray in tongues, or to give a word was a blessing. And speaking in tongues helps edify the believer.
· What does edification mean anyway? I am glad you asked!
· This is the definition that I love: Just as workers build a physical house piece by piece, spiritual edification is the process of building up believers in faith, holiness, and love.
· 1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
· I do not know about you, but I need edification. I try my best, but I just want more of Him and to please Him, and I know I can’t do it on my own. I need help! And because of what He did, because of the promise that He made, I have the blessing and the opportunity for edification.
· There have been moments when I am working and listening to praise music, and I will just start using that gift of language, forgetting where I am, and honestly, I could care less who hears and sees me. I have got a few side eyes, people not understanding what I am saying – that’s OK, that word was not for you then, it was for me!
· Here at church, I love that time in the morning at 10:00 for prayer. Hey Bob, you mention that a lot, 10:00 AM prayer time. I do, because I would like to see all of you there.
· Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
· There is a lot of things that happen before church at 10:30. We have worship practice, then setting up the live stream. Dealing with some cranky computers and security cameras, all kinds of things. But at 10 AM, I do my best to take an intentional moment with the Lord, speaking in tongues, participating in edification, sometimes prophetic, wherever He leads.
· There are some folks who find the gift of speaking in tongues undesirable. They never want to relate to God except by and through their own understanding. While we value our knowledge and understanding, and while we dedicate ourselves to loving God with all of our mind, I think we also need to accept the limitations of our understanding. And I thank God for a way to relate to Him that goes beyond the knowledge of self.
· Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
· Some people are perfectly satisfied with their ability to relate to God through their own understanding, and they really have no need for the gift of tongues.
· Not me; I want all of him. I want to praise Him, worship Him, and be as close to Him as I can be, and the Gift of tongues, as well as all the other spiritual gifts, are so vital.
· 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. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
· Those groanings and intercession manifest in our spirit language. I may not know exactly what I am praying for, but Jesus makes a way in our spirit, and we can submit and speak the things that need to be prayed for and vocalized.
· Another thought on this gift: the gift of speaking in a heavenly language.
· The Holy Spirit is from God, so when it operates, it operates with love as the primary purpose and it does not cause confusion.
· (NIV) 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
· Love is the key, and that is how we use the gifts that God has blessed us with.
· Now, there is something that I have never seen here at our church, but I have seen people “speaking” in tongues at other places – and all I could discern was anger.
· This gift that we have access to cannot be faked; it is something that flows from what- it flows from the heart. When it doesn’t, it is just babbling. And when the speaker has no love for others in their life, we need discernment.
· When I saw this, I actually prayed against whatever they are saying. Not everything is from God, and as we mature and know Jesus more, we must do this – sometimes we need to stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters.
· God is not about confusion; He is the absence of confusion.
· 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
· There is an order in church, there is submission to the Spirit, and there is no confusion.
· I have seen some moments in church where, in the middle of the sermon or a teaching, someone will start speaking in tongues. That is out of order; it creates confusion, in my opinion. The bible is clear.
· 1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
· I pray that all have all of the gifts, because they are so wonderful, but…
· 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
· If every one of us started speaking in tongues at the same time while someone was preaching or teaching, what would we have? Confusion and chaos – that is just not how Jesus operates. And if someone walked in, what they would see would not be a good thing, amen?
· There is a time for everything, and we need to be sensitive to that, amen?
· So this morning, reviewing our heavenly language is a gift from God. Speaking in tongues is a language of the Spirit, and there are two views: that they stopped at the end of the apostles, and that they continue today – which is the correct view, in my opinion.
· The gift is for the believer and the non-believer, and must be purposed in love. This gift edifies us, empowers us, and gives us boldness in our lives. This gift is not confusing or out of order; it is ordered and aligns with God’s will.
· This morning, if you have not received this gift and want it, I will pray with you; all of us will! If you are watching online, drop a comment in the chat and we will pray for you as well. I put our email address in the chat as well.
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