1 Corinthians 14:1-12

Prophesying Should Be Desired More Than Speaking In Tongues

Introduction

Introduction-1

• In chapter 12, Paul enumerates the nine Spiritual gifts.
• He describes their function as similar to the various parts of the body.
• All were equally important to edify the church.
• Chapter 13 Paul said these gifts would cease.
• When they do, faith, hope, and love would remain.
• The greatest of these was love. It is not divisive, or factious, but unifying.

Introduction-2

• In chapters 12-14 Paul constantly emphasizes that prophesy and edification is greater and more desired than to speak in tongues.
• In chapter 14 Paul gives the regulation for speaking in tongues and for prophesying.
• All things were to be done decently and in order
• Do not have a chaotic worship that causes unbelievers to think you are out of your mind.
• The unbeliever can be convinced by prophesy and worship God.

Preliminary Thoughts

Preliminary Thoughts-1

• Those who have visited the Chiasmatic churches know that a great deal of importance is placed on speaking in tongues.
• These groups do not have unity in doctrine, yet they all claim the Spirit is giving them these gifts.
• United Pentecostals – Only one in the Godhead, and that is Jesus.
• Church of God – Teach that there are three, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Preliminary Thoughts-2

• Today there are three established groups.
• The Pentecostals (Mid 1800s)
• The Charismatics (1960s)
• The Neo-Chrismatics (1980s)

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Chapter Synopsis

Chapter Synopsis

• 14:1-18 – Tongues must be interpreted
• 14:20-25 – Tongues are a sign to unbelievers
• 14:25-40 – Order in the Lord’s church

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Prophesying Should Be Desired More Than Speaking In Tongues

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-1

14:1-5 – Greater is one who prophesies because the church is edified

• Paul tells them to pursue love.
• He then tells them to desire spiritual gifts.
• He encourages them to pursue the gift of prophecy.

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-2

14:2 – This is the most misunderstood verse by the the Charismatics

• It is impossible for them to speak in a language that is unlearned.
• They use this verse to prove that their gibberish is a language that is spoken between them and God alone.
• Words not understood are spoken “into the air,”
• Tongues are for a sign to unbelievers, not believers. v. 22

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-3

How Does God Speak To Us Today?

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• God speaks through his creation. – Rom 1:20
• He Spoke through Jesus – Heb. 1:1
• He Speaks through His word – 2 Tim. 3:16
• This word is living and active ­– Heb. 4:12

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Romans 1:20

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For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-4

How Does God Speak To Us Today?

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• God speak through his creation. – Rom 1:20
• He Spoke through Jesus – Heb. 1:1
• He Speaks through His word – 2 Tim. 3:16
• This word is living and active ­– Heb. 4:12

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Hebebrews 1:1

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God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-5

How Does God Speak To Us Today?

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• God speak through his creation. – Rom 1:20
• He Spoke through Jesus – Heb. 1:1
• He Speaks through His word – 2 Tim. 3:16
• This word is living and active ­– Heb. 4:12

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2 Timothy 3:16

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All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-6

How Does God Speak To Us Today?

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• God speak through his creation. – Rom 1:20
• He Spoke through Jesus – Heb. 1:1
• He Speaks through His word – 2 Tim. 3:16
• This word is living and active ­– Heb. 4:12

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Hebrews 4:12

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For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-7

How Do We Speak To God Today?

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• God hears us through prayer – Matt. 6:8-9; 1 Jn. 5:14

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Matthew 6:8-9

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Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Prophesying More Desired Than Speaking In Tongues-8

How Do We Speak To God Today?

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• God hears us through prayer – Matt. 6:8-9; 1 Jn. 5:14

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1 John 5:14

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Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

1 Corinthians 14:6-12

If one speaks in tongues but is not understood,

his effort has no profit

No Profit Without Understanding-1

• Those who prophesy speaks edification, exhortation and comfort to the church.
• Those who spoke in tongues edified himself, not the church.
• Paul wished that all would speak in tongues.
• Paul’s greater wish was for them all to prophesy.
• Again Paul places tongue speaking as a lesser gift. But not in importance.

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No Profit Without Understanding-2

Tongues Compared To Musical Instruments

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• Musical instruments are just noisy unless distinct sounds of harmony are produced.
• If the instrument played haphazardly, we cannot associate it with a song.
• In like manner so are tongues.

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Useless words, that are not understood,

are of no value for the Christian

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No Profit Without Understanding-3

• Vs. 12 – Paul understands their zeal and desire for spiritual gifts.
• He tells them their zeal must be for the edification of the church.
• The word of revelation, or additional knowledge, or of prophecy, or teaching
• In this you must excel, and desire the most.

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If Led By The Holy Spirit,

Why Are These Principles

Not Obeyed

By Modern Charismatics?

Do all speak in a known language of the world today?

Acts 2:6 – And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:8 – And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

Acts 2:11 – Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.

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Do all desire rather to prophesy?

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1 Corinthians 14:5

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

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Do all desire rather to speak five words with understanding?

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1 Corinthians 14:19

yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

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Are tongues used as a sign to unbelievers and not to believers?

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1 Corinthians 14:22

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Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

Do all speak in tongues only if an interpreter is present?

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1 Corinthians 14:28

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But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Do more than three speak in tongues at an assembly?

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1 Corinthians 14:27

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If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

Do the women keep silent in an assembly or are women preachers permitted?

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1 Corinthians 14:34

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Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says

Conclusion

Conclusion

1. Always be zealous in the edification and building up of the church.
2. Don’t be led away by zealots. Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.
3. Today we get our edification from the bible. - 1 Tim 3:16.
4. God talks to us though the bible, and we talk to God through our prayers.

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