1 Corinthians 14:1-2 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

·       Tongues:

·       The Holy Spirit prays to God through a person

·       An unknown language to the person

·       If spoken in public, it must be interpreted

·       It builds the speaker up

·       Spiritual gifts should glorify God, not ourselves

1 Corinthians 14:3-4 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

·       Prophecy:

·       God speaking to us through a person

·       An understandable language

·       Could be Foretelling (future) or Forthtelling (current encouragement)

·       Builds up and encourages a group of Christ-followers

·       One difference between tongues and prophecy is “who we are speaking to”

1 Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

·       Remember all gifts must be used in loving God and others

1 Corinthians 13:1-2 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 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.

1 Corinthians 14:6-12 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

·       Be eager to use spiritual gifts to build others up

Colossians 1:18 (NLT) Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So He is first in everything.

1 Corinthians 14:13-17 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

·       3 Types of Tongues in the Bible:

·       A known language unknown to speaker – Acts 2:4-6

·       A private prayer language – 1 Corinthians 14:14-15

·       Spoken in small group of believers with interpretation – 1 Corinthians 14:5

1 Corinthians 14:18-19 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

·       The heart of God is to teach us to be more like Jesus

1 Corinthians 14:20-25 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

·       The gifts of the Spirit should show others “God is with us”.

·       Summary:

·       1. Pursue spiritual gifts WITH love

·       2. Seek to build up the church (Christ-followers)

·       3. Be mindful of others

·       Call 321.574.6970 if you have chosen to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted. NLT = New Living Translation.

Todas las referencias bíblicas son de la Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) a menos que se indique lo contrario. NTV = Nueva Traduccion Viviente.

Todas as referências bíblicas são da Nova Versão Internacional (NVI-PT). Nova Versão Transformadora (NVT)