I. TONGUES FOR PERSONAL EDIFICATION “A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.” 1 Corinthians 14:4 NLT
Purpose of edification: 1. Building godly traits 2. Divine insight of God's word. 3. Wisdom to know right from wrong. 4. Prays for our needs. 5. Spiritual authority grows
6. Faith built up - “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,” Jude 1:20 NLT 7. Develops our character.
II. TONGUES FOR INTERPRETATION - “I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.” 1 Corinthians 14:5 NLT
III. TONGUES OF DEEP INTERCESSIONAL GROANING “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26 NLT
IV. TONGUES AS A SIGN TO THE UNBELIEVER -“So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.” 1 Corinthians 14:22 NLT
“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.” Mark 16:17 NLT