In this episode, there is an unplanned emphasis on the fact that the believer is separate from the world, that we belong to a company of people called out of the world, to be separate from the world.
This separation is central to our gathering, it is our celebration of our distinctness from the rest of the world
The Church is separate from the world, because of this, the saints NEED the community of other saints, a community where we remind ourselves of our common faith.
We are even equipped of God to bring in new members into the community, so that we never need to be alone without any community, EVER!
Jesus' resurrection birthed a community, not individuals. This means that we must recognise the very thing that binds us. It is not correctness of doctrine, it is not demonstration of the miraculous, it is THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. It is His Blood, His Offering, His Life!
Whatever our differences, this simple truth is the very basis for the church and in recognition of this Truth, we gather with others.
The Scriptures (Genesis to Malachi) are the foundational books that the Apostles in their epistles and the writers of the 4 Gospels rely on entirely for validity. this bit is important in our bible study.
In the Resurrection of Jesus, He established a COMMUNITY! The church is a community of people, established on ONE TRUTH: Jesus is THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.
We begin an investigation into the value of the local church to the saint, but we start out a little off tangent.
God's desire for every saint is light, for all of us to be enlightened. The more light we have, the better lives we will live.
Also, the church are the people who have believed in Jesus as THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD
When you speak to another human being, you cannot and should not stop at tongues for that will bring no benefit to the person.
Paul is keen to emphasise to his audience the need to not be comfortable with being a blessing to just yourself but even more to other people around. Again,
It’s not an indictment against tongues, it is to point the saint to what Tongues should be used for when we address ourselves in our gatherings either in prayers that need an amen as response or in songs that people need to sing along
In my pursuit of spiritual things, I must be armed with a stronger desire, a desire to be a blessing to another or the church, a desire to profit another. It is that desire that Paul calls us to when he says 'let him that speaks in a tongue pray (desire) that he may interprete'
There's something just beyond tongues, something every saint should reach out for. It is Prophesying! Taking what was said in other tongues, interpreting it for another human being in a known human language.
Prophesy is not anti-tongues, Prophesy exalts tongues from that which edifies just the speaker to that which edifies the speaker's audience.
Never spoken in tongues before? Want to get someone filled for the first time?
Well, a mini-resource for you. All that is left, is the desire to take hold of what is already yours by virtue of family inheritance!
Tongues is family inheritance. It belongs to EVERYONE who believes, it is part of our proof to the unbelieving world that we do not belong with them.
To refuse tongues is to refuse family inheritance
Every saint is equipped of God with the Spirit and hence the ability to speak in tongues. It becomes HIS RESPONSIBILITY to participate in such Holy things as tongues, it is subject to his will.
A wrap for the week,
Tongues is for the saint, a solid reminder that he has the Spirit of God. To 'forsake' tongues is to disregard that which Jesus considers important
New Tongues or Human Tongues? Let's really conclude on this.
No back and forths.
New: Greek word is Kainos. It literally means unheard of, unused, unworn, freshly made.
If Jesus said we will speak in NEW tongues, it cannot mean other human tongues! It means A FRESH ONE!
Why is Tongues such a big deal?
Should it be a big deal? Is it any special?
Let's unravel this together, shall we?
Why is Tongues such a big deal?
Should it be a big deal? Is it any special?
Let's unravel this together, shall we?
In reaching conclusions, we must consider ALL THE SCRIPTURES put together. We must not reach conclusions with 'opposing' truths in the Scriptures.
We must find the right explanation for grey areas and fuzzy portions till it's very clear what we have believed.
Exploring the Pauline prayer in Colossians 1:9, understanding exactly what Paul's prayer was for this church
Pray for us.
Leaders and pastors need our prayers too.
The beauty of a local church that protects their pastor with prayers as he feeds them God's Word is often not spoken about, but that is God's ideal.
So pray for us.