Why Speak in Tongues

Why Speak in Tongues
"Don't leave home without Him"

John 3:16 - God's greatest promise to the World
Acts 1:8 - God's greatest promise to the Church

Acts 2:1-13, 1:4-5
Luke 11:13; 12:12; 24:49

I. It's a fulfillment of prophesy
Acts 2:16; Joel; Ezekiel 39:29; Isaiah 44:3

II. It's a biblical pattern
Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6
Other instances without mention of tongues
Acts 4:31; 8:14-19; 9:17

III. It's a gift worthy of correction
I Corinthians 14:1-5
About the gift of tongues:
- Spoken to God
- Mysteries are uttered
- Edifies the one speaking
- Less useful in public settings
- Should be interpreted in public settings (vs 13)

The Baptism is not something to have, but to use
- It should not be thought of as another step in the spiritual ladder to compare yourself to others.
- It should not be desired for an emotional experience

Excercises of Believers:
- Justification
- Getting into the Word
- Praying
- Fasting
- Community, being part of a body
- Water baptism
- Sanctification
- Suffering, trials, tests
- Ministry
- Baptism of the Spirit

Broken Symbols

Broken Symbols
I Corinthians 11:23-35

I. A Broken World
- Romans 5:12
- Genesis 3:17 ..."Cursed is the ground because of you."
- Romans 8:19-22

II. A Broken Life
Brokeness moves Jesus to Compassion

III. A Broken Body
- Hebrews 9:28
- Colossians 1:19-22
- I Peter 2:24

IV. A Broken Heart
We deserved punishment but he gave us healing for our broken hearts.

II Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone; the new has come."

From Audience to Army

From Audience to Army
Mark 3:13-35

Intro:
Churches where numbers have increased in recent years -
Chrisitian and Church of Christ 18.6%
Assembly of God 18.5%
Catholic 16.2%

Churches where numbers have decreased in recent years -
Presbyterian -11.6%
United Church of Christ -14.8%
These churches have adopted moderate to liberal-minded thinking

Four necessities for moving from audience to army:
I. Get out of the stands and into the game
Three ways you know you're ready to be in the game
1. Sick of the status quo
2. You feel a void in your life
3. You're ready for some excitement

II. Accept your true calling as a disciple (Mark 3:13-19)
God has called you to GREAT things
You're a born again, completely forgiven, Spirit filled child of God
It's time to act
Do more than just belong - PARTICIPATE!

III. Face the challenge (Mark 3:20-22)
Opposition comes...
From the crowd (vs 20)
From family and friends (vs 21) Abandon your world to do his will!
From "religious" poeple (vs 22) Not everyone who holds credentials is committed to the cause of Christ
From yourself

IV. Decide where your loyalties lie
Are you in His army of in the audience?
Are you willing to lay it all on the line?