The Tongue Part 10

“The Benefits of Speaking In Tongues”

INTRODUCTION

As we have considered the significance of the tongue and observed that it is an unruly member. The Bible is clear regarding the nature of the tongue, in that no man can tame the tongue. It seems obvious why God chose “tongues” as the initial evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit! We must totally yield ourselves to the Spirit of God…including our tongue.

The Biblical practice of the “Glossolalian” phenomenon has been a point of debate and question for many. Many people struggle with simplistic faith in receiving God’s magnificent baptism…because of the issue of tongues. Let’s peruse the Holy Writ and consider the power of speaking in tongues…

I. TONGUES…A DIVINE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

A.     Divine Speaking.

I Corinthians 14:2,  For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto 

        men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks

        mysteries.

                        1. Tongues. [A language not naturally acquired]

                                    a.  He speaks not unto men...he speaks to God! 

     I Corinthians 2:10-14, I Corinthians 3:1-2

 B.  Divine Secrets.

                        1.  Mysteries. [mystery or secret]  (Waymon “He speaks divine secrets”) 

I Corinthians 14:14, “my spirit prayeth” (AMP “My spirit, by the Holy Spirit in me, prays.”)

II. TONGUES…MAGNIFYING GOD

 A.   Magnifying God.

        Acts 10:46,  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God...

1.     Magnify. [to make great, enlarge, increase, magnify]  God is always the 

same (James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8); however, when an individual speaks in tongues He becomes bigger in the eyes of the individual. 

III. TONGUES…SPIRITUAL EDIFICATION

A.    Edifying.

       I Corinthians 14:4,  He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself...

1.     Edified. [to become a house builder, construct, edify]  Modern translators describe this word as... “to charge up...such as charging a drained battery.”

            a.  We are edified when we speak with tongues!

IV.  TONGUES…PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

   A.  Praying in Tongues.

I Corinthians 14:14,  For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my

understanding is unfruitful.

       1.  Praying in tongues is praying with the Spirit.

V. TONGUES…HE HELPS OUR WEAKNESSES

    A.  He Helps…Our Weaknesses.

Romans 8:26-27,  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

1.     Our Weakness. [malady, frailty, disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness]

                        2.  His Intercession. [intervene, mediate, reconcile, step in]

                                    a.  With Groaning. [a sigh or groan]

VI. TONGUES… WE ARE BUILT UP IN OUR FAITH

  A.  Built Up.

Jude 1:20,  But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost …

1.  Building Up. [to build up, to rear up]  It builds upon our faith and makes us strong!

VII.  TONGUES… SPIRITUAL REFRESHING

A.    Rest and Refreshing.

Isaiah 28:11-12,  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing...

  1.  Rest For The Weary.

       a.  Rest. [comfortable, ease, quiet, rest (-ing place), still]

      Weary = Faint or Thirsty

       b.  Refreshing. [refresh, rejuvenate, invigorate]

CONCLUSION

There are dynamic workings that take place...when we speak with tongues.