What's the big deal about speaking in tongues?

by Ps Wilson

Big idea:
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnessed of king Jesus

Believers hold Strategic asset to control the flow of God in our lives

Who is the Holy Spirit?
A:Holy Spirit is God who will dwell with believers and believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit

A believer's body has now become the temple of the Holy Spirit

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.


What does the Holy Spirit do in a believer's life?
A: the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, guide believers in all truth, glorifies King Jesus and be His witnesses

John 16:7-14
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.


Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Holy Spirit's functions are:
1. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.
2. He guides believers into God's truth.
3. He glorifies King Jesus.
4. He empowers believers to be witnesses for King Jesus.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is not a bird or dove

Are we tune in to the Holy Spirit voice?

How do we know the Holy Spirit is speaking to me?
A: Spend enough time with the Holy Spirit to discern the voice

3 clear perimeters:
1. Convict you of what is not right, and bring us to repentance. God doesn't condemn
2. Guide you to God's truth
3. Glorify King Jesus

One way is Speaking in tongues

Acts 2:1-8
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?


Pentecost took place 50 days after Jesus resurrection

Does the spiritual phenomenon of speaking in tongues occur only in known languages?
A: There are tongues that human will understand and there are tongues spoken in angelic languages

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.


Does it mean I don't have the Holy Spirit within me if I don't speak in tongues?
A: Gift of the Holy spirit is not referring to tongues because as long as you have make Jesus your King you will have the Holy spirit

Acts 2:38-39
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”


Since I have the Holy Spirit, what's the big deal about speaking in tongues?
A: Speaking in tongues is a subsequent spiritual experience after salvation call the baptism in the Holy Spirit

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God.


Acts 19:5-6
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[a] and prophesied.


1. It signifies the evidence of Holy Spirit in one's life, seeing the operation of the gift
2. It edifies oneself, build and strengthen

1 Corinthians 14:4
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.


Is not mere babbling unknown words but to build one's up, it does not make you holier, it's given solely by the grace of God nothing to do with the character formation of the person

3. Represent King Jesus and be witnesses everywhere we go

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,


Why am I edified and built up?
A: This internal strengthening must lead to a greater outward purpose

Tongues is spiritual in nature and we flow with the gift of God. No true follower of Jesus wants to fake speaking in tongues

If you're speaking in tongues and unsure, test it
1. Can you be in God's presence and pretend to speak in tongues?
2. Or can you speak in tongues without feeling discomfort?
3. Do you feel spiritually empowered after spending time speaking in tongues?
4. Real tongues do not drain you