1 Corinthians 14:1-12 ESV
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

I.CEASED OR CONTINUED?
A.Some say gifts like tongues ceased with apostles and some say they continue into today.
B.To determine if they have ceased or continue we need to appeal to exegesis not experience.
C.Presently, on exegetical grounds, I am unsure whether they have continued or ceased.

II.THE TRUTH ABOUT TONGUES
A.What we often see called the gift of tongues is not the same thing the New Testament calls the gift of tongues. (Acts 2:4-8)
B.Tongues were spoken languages, not angelic gibberish.
C.God wants to be known making unknown angelic languages counterproductive to God’s desire.
D.Spiritual gifts are for the good of the whole church & Gospel. Unknown language is not beneficial without an interpreter.

III.PROHECY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
A.Prophecy was not prediction but Gospel proclamation.

IV.SIMPLE IS BETTER THAN THE SENSATIONAL
A.Speaking in tongues is sensational but not as beneficial to the church as prophecy.
B.Tongues sound chaotic to those who don’t understand, while prophecy is clear to all.
C.Tongues are easily misinterpreted, while the meaning of prophecy is hard to miss.
D.Tongues divide people, prophecy unites them.

NEXT STEPS
1.What is showy is not always of the Spirit and what is sensational is not always successful.
2.The Spirit of God often takes what is plain to us and uses it to perform the miraculous. (Jeremiah 13:23, Ezekiel 36:26)
3.Challenge: Invite someone to come with you to church this week.

NEXT WEEK: Crazy Talk or Crazy Love Part 2 1 Cor 14:13-25

Unfortunately, due to a technical error the sermon did not record this week. We apologize for the error.