THE BEAUTY OF SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE THUNDERSTRUCK: Rediscovering the Beauty and Power of a Spirit-Filled Life Part 4 August 5, 2018 Chris Goins

Transcription

1 THE BEAUTY OF SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE THUNDERSTRUCK: Rediscovering the Beauty and Power of a Spirit-Filled Life Part 4 August 5, 2018 Chris Goins On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:1-4 There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, Aren t these all Galileans? How come we re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? 11 we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done! Acts 2:5-8, 11 Spiritual Language A Definition Spiritual language is a contemporary term used for what most translations call "speaking in other tongues, the gift of tongues" and praying in the Spirit. It s a grace gift of spiritual words that link my heart to God's heart. It helps me nurture my relationship with the Father, express my love to Him, build and strengthen my faith, and, share thoughts, emotions, problems, pain and prayers that I sometimes find difficult to express. Fundamental Facts About Spiritual Language: 1. It s in IN THE BIBLE. It s not UNBIBLICAL or OUTDATED. When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he s not speaking to people, but to God he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 TPT For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don t understand what I am saying. 15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 NLT I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. 1 Corinthians 14:18 NLT

2 do not forbid speaking in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV Don t tell people how they should or shouldn t pray when they re praying in tongues that you don t understand. Be courteous and considerate in everything. 1 Corinthians 14:39 MSG Check out the first century church. (See Acts 2:4; 8:21; 10:45-46; 19:6; 1 Cor 12-14) 1) Acts 2:4 - The Day of Pentecost. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4 NIV 2) Acts 8 - One Year After Pentecost. You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Acts 8:21 NIV 3) Acts 10 - Ten Years After Pentecost. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. 46 And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues Acts 10:45-46 NLT 4) Acts 19 - Twenty Years After Pentecost. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:6 NIV 5) 1 Corinthians Over Twenty Years After Pentecost. Check out the facts from history. 1) The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible states that "through the centuries glossalalia [spiritual language] has frequently occurred among Christian groups." i 2) The Encyclopedia Britannica asserts that "miraculous utterances recur in Christian revivals in every age." ii 3) The Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge says " the phenomenon of 'speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance' (Acts 2:1-13) has appeared in all ages of the church." iii 4) Dr. Philip Schaff in his, History of the Apostolic Church wrote, "The speaking with tongues, however, was not confined to the Day of Pentecost This gift perpetuated itself. We find traces of it still in the second and third centuries " iv

3 5) Harper's Bible Dictionary says, " that this phenomenon [spiritual language] is by no means restricted to early Christianity is universally recognized. It was common in the Christian movement as late as Tertullian and Irenaues. By the time of Chrysostom it had apparently died out; at least the good Bishop found difficulty in understanding what it really was. This, however, was but temporary. In later years it appeared again and has been the seemingly inevitable consequence of all extended seasons of revival." v 6) Shearer Schoolhouse, Camp Creek, North Carolina, ) The Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California in ) The Charismatic Renewal, Dennis Bennett, Van Nuys, California, ) Outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the University of Notre Dame, ) The Third Wave, 1970's 's. 11) The New Reformed Movement 12) Present Day Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit - David Barrett, Global Statistics, Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. 2. It s a resource that can EDIFY, STRENGTHEN, ADVANCE and BUILD your faith. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself 1 Corinthians 14:4 NIV A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord NLT The one who speaks in tongues advances His own spiritual progress TPT Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 NLT But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Jude 1:20-21 MSG And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26 TPT In the end I will turn things around for the people. I ll give them a language undistorted, unpolluted, Words to address GOD in worship and, united, to serve me with their shoulders to the wheel. Zephaniah 3:9 MSG

4 3. It s a CHOICE and is AVAILABLE. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don t understand what I am saying. 15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 NLT You fathers if your children ask [a] for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Luke 11:11-13 NLT The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Isaiah 50:4 NIV The Master, GOD, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, Wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders. Isaiah 50:4 MSG Let love be your highest goal! Passionately seek the gifts of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 14:1 I would be delighted if you all spoke in tongues 1 Corinthians 14:5 TPT MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS: ANSWER KEY: 1. IN THE BIBLE, UNBIBLICAL, OUTDATED, 2. EDIFY, STRENGTHEN, ADVANCE, BUILD, 3. CHOICE, AVAILABLE. Recommended Resources: The Beauty of Spiritual Language by Jack Hayford The Essential Guide to the Holy Spirit by Randy Clark

5 i The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible (New York: Abindgon Press, 1962), IV, 672. ii Tongues, Gift of", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1958, XXII, 283. iii Lefferts A. Loetscher (ed.), Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1955), II, iv Philip Schaff, History of the Apostolic Church, Book I, Section 55, cited by Elmer C. Miler, Pentecost Examined (Springfield, Missouri: Gospel Publishing House, 1936), 18. v Madeleine S. Miller and J. Lane Miller, Harper's Dictionary of the Bible (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1952), 768.