Sermon Title: Born To Speak God’s Language II (The Supernatural Life)
“Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe:
In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Be absolutely clear.
Miraculous signs will accompany every believer of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Nestled amongst the Spirit-enabled power to “drive out demons”, remain safe of all demonic works, and heal the sick in the Name of Jesus - is the sign that we “will speak in new tongues.” (Mark 16:17)
Do you speak in new tongues?
Are you a true believer?
In obedience and faith to the words of Christ, the Apostle Paul instructs us emphatically, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18); and exhorts us to follow in his prayer life when he shared, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)
The biblical evidence is clear; and compelling.
When “filled with the Holy Spirit”, every disciple of Christ “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4); thereby having been built up in faith and the reality of God’s Kingdom, each of them went on to manifest gifts of the Holy Spirit that empowered them to fulfill the Great Commission. (Ref: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 19:6)
“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)
To be truly Christian, every born-again believer must be baptized in water; and in the Holy Spirit.
God desires for His Children to be immersed in His Spirit – so that we may be transformed – to be both prepared, and prepare the world for His coming Kingdom.
In fact, King David spoke clearly to this life of prayer and preparation in 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.”
By faith we are saved; and by faith we receive the Holy Spirit – which tells us that as our faith grows, we progress from being saved, to being baptised – immersed - in the power of the Holy Spirit to join Christ in His work of salvation.
That’s exactly what happened to the disciples.
As they yearned and prayed – in faith - for the presence of Jesus, “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4)
The Holy Spirit placed the language of God’s Kingdom on their tongues and spoke through them.
Their faith in Christ and His Kingdom grew; and now, they were empowered, ready to join our Lord Jesus in His Work of Salvation and Restoration.
Praying in tongues is integral in our preparation for His Kingdom; participation in His Kingdom Work; and thus, must be the foundation of our prayer life.
The devil’s scheme against praying in Tongues
Which is why the devil will do and say anything to convince Christians otherwise.
“How do you know what you are saying?
What if you are uttering rubbish? Or saying something bad against God?
When you pray in tongues, are you are not trying to boast about your ‘holiness’?
“Praying in tongues are not for you; you are not worthy. Only the Apostles, or the Pastors and Missionaries need to be able to pray in tongues. Let them fulfill the Great Commission; you just watch them do the work.”
The devil lies.
As always.
Do you know why the devil tries to cast so much doubts or does so much to make us feel terrible and wrong about praying in tongues?
Because when we pray in tongues, the devil has absolutely no clue what we are saying.
“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Do not let the devil rob you of the very foundation and key resource of the prayer life – to pray in tongues as the Holy Spirit enables.
Understand this well.
Praying in Tongues – what it is NOT.
1. Praying in Tongues is NOT gibberish.
The Apostle Paul acknowledges that praying in Tongues is praying with the “Tongues of angels.” (1 Corinthians 3:1)
It is you, praying the mysteries of God in accordance to His Sovereign Will; rightfully using the mysterious language of God’s Kingdom.
The devil tricks us into thinking that we can learn and understand spiritual things with a worldly mindset or perspective.
This is one of the most blatantly wicked lies of the devil that has divided the Church and robbed countless believers of a deeper faith in Christ and in His Power in their lives.
2. . Praying in Tongues is NOT a known language that you understand in your mind but in your spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:2 – “For anyone who speaks in tongues does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.”
When you pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit directly imparts divine revelation – things as they are, or to come - directly into your spirit; a spiritual sense that you experience before it translates to an emotion of the heart, and consequently, sensation felt in the body.
The believer becomes confused when these two aspects of being becomes conflated – the spiritual and the emotional – which results in apprehension, and rightfully so, when we experience joy, peace or even disturbance and unrest, and think that it is the deed of our broken, sinful nature.
When we pray in tongues, understand that your spirit receives revelations from the Holy Spirit – revelations that your mind and heart cannot understand or comprehend.
In His Time, as you remain devoted to praying in tongues, healing and restoration of both your spirit and heart will take place and reconcile the two to become one; giving rise to deeper peace and greater resolve to live in the Purposes and Power of God.
Remember, never get tricked into thinking that you can learn, understand and experience spiritual things with a worldly mindset.
It is plain foolishness.
3. Praying in Tongues is NOT one of the many Spirit-gifts; it is the Holy Spirit’s mark in your life when you are baptized by Christ in the Spirit – when you experience an awakening and quickening of your spirit that deepens your faith in Christ and opens your life to the gateway of the many Spirit-empowered supernatural gifts.
Praying tongues is the gateway to the rest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empowers you to be Christ’s witness. (Ref: Acts 1:8)
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.
He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6)
When the Apostle Paul placed his hands on them, the Ephesian believers first spoke in tongues, and then, prophesied – which reveals the key spiritual paradigm of the Holy Spirit’s mark on a Spirit-baptized believer; and the fundamental requirement for every believer to pray in Tongues as enabled by the Holy Spirit.
There are teachings within the wider Church that disregards this distinction; or more tragically, purports that praying in tongues and the believer’s manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit has ceased with the death of the Apostles.
That is disinformation.
Be very careful to understand that prophecies will cease, tongues are stilled and knowledge will pass away only “when perfection comes” and “what is in part disappears”. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
So, till the moment we see Christ face to face, praying in tongues must remain an integral part of the true born-again believer.
Though it is for essentially for self-edification – in which, our Lord Jesus Christ personally ushers you into a deeper faith relationship with Him; we are only effective as church builders and kingdom workers if we are strong and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The key to becoming witnesses for our Lord Jesus Christ is commitment to praying in Tongues as the Spirit enables – each and every day.
Unlock the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life; devote time to praying to God through uttering mysteries by the Spirit.
4. Praying in tongues is not an outward mark of ‘holiness’; but an inward devotion to a life of holiness.
In Christ’s words, this is our cross to bear.
To pick up our cross in a world where everyone else picks up everything else - money, power, prestige, security, comfort etc. – is to be set apart for the sole purpose of becoming Christ’s witnesses; and to have sole allegiance and anticipation of God’s Coming Kingdom - to begin at this very moment to enculturate ourselves in God’s Kingdom culture; by first being willing to learn God’s language; as opposed to the language of Man at Babel.
Such is the spiritual paradigm of the Apostle Paul –
“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)
When we are encouraged to pray in tongues during corporate worship, the purpose is not a show of ‘holiness’, but a pastoral exhortation, along with a personal, sacred indication - that we are not alone in our devotion and discipline of praying in Tongues to seek the mysterious Will of God upon our lives and our church.
Praying in Tongues in a corporate setting is a group of believers working out individually in the same place; preparing to fully engage, and participate in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ together.
It is analogous to a team training within the confines of a gym; where every individual is made strong, in order that the team is corporately prepared when the game comes on.
Every day, pray in Tongues and experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit afresh!
Begin by setting aside 15 sacred minutes unto the Lord; gradually increasing in the weeks that follow - to pray solely in the language of God’s Kingdom; and allow the Spirit speak through you; interceding on your behalf, through mysterious utterances that is “in accordance with the Will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
Remember, you are born again to speak God’s language; and live forever in His Kingdom.
Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, every Christian must live the supernatural life!
Devote to a life of prayer that brings you into communion directly and personally with our Lord Jesus Christ; daily spend time praying in tongues as the Spirit enables you – as He takes you each day deeper in faith, hope and love for the Lord, Your God.
May the Spirit of the Lord speak through you; may His Word be on your tongue. (Ref: 2 Samuel 23:2)
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, may I experience your baptism afresh each and every day of my life.
Help me in my weakness; for I truly do not know what I ought to pray for.
Spirit of my Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for me through Your heavenly Tongue that speak to Your mysteries - as You enable me to; in the assurance that my heart, mind and body would be transformed into the likeness of Christ and thus, fulfill Your Holy Will in every aspect of my life. (Romans 8:26-27)
Forgive my disobedience and doubts about praying in Tongues; and strengthen my resolve to devote time in prayer solely in the language of Your Kingdom.
Holy Spirit, I ask that You establish, strengthen and sensitise my spirit; that as I pray in Tongues, I would more deeply receive every Spirit-gift accorded to me in order for me to be a faithful and obedient witness and servant to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
As I pray in Tongues, lead me through the gateway of Your Power and Supernatural gifts – thereby making my life a miraculous testament to Your Love, Grace and Mercy.
Grant me resolve to set aside sacred time to pray solely in Tongues; that my life of devotion to this essential and fundamental spiritual discipline would indeed enculturate me in Your Kingdom Culture; preparing me, and using me to prepare the world for the day of the Lord’s Return to judge the living and the dead.
As You take me deeper into faith, hope and love for God, transform my spiritual paradigm and reality that my life’s focus and purpose is in the work of inbreaking Your Kingdom.
I acknowledge that I have been born-again to speak Your language and live a supernatural life!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe:
In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Be absolutely clear.
Miraculous signs will accompany every believer of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Nestled amongst the Spirit-enabled power to “drive out demons”, remain safe of all demonic works, and heal the sick in the Name of Jesus - is the sign that we “will speak in new tongues.” (Mark 16:17)
Do you speak in new tongues?
Are you a true believer?
In obedience and faith to the words of Christ, the Apostle Paul instructs us emphatically, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18); and exhorts us to follow in his prayer life when he shared, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)
The biblical evidence is clear; and compelling.
When “filled with the Holy Spirit”, every disciple of Christ “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4); thereby having been built up in faith and the reality of God’s Kingdom, each of them went on to manifest gifts of the Holy Spirit that empowered them to fulfill the Great Commission. (Ref: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Acts 19:6)
“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)
To be truly Christian, every born-again believer must be baptized in water; and in the Holy Spirit.
God desires for His Children to be immersed in His Spirit – so that we may be transformed – to be both prepared, and prepare the world for His coming Kingdom.
In fact, King David spoke clearly to this life of prayer and preparation in 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.”
By faith we are saved; and by faith we receive the Holy Spirit – which tells us that as our faith grows, we progress from being saved, to being baptised – immersed - in the power of the Holy Spirit to join Christ in His work of salvation.
That’s exactly what happened to the disciples.
As they yearned and prayed – in faith - for the presence of Jesus, “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4)
The Holy Spirit placed the language of God’s Kingdom on their tongues and spoke through them.
Their faith in Christ and His Kingdom grew; and now, they were empowered, ready to join our Lord Jesus in His Work of Salvation and Restoration.
Praying in tongues is integral in our preparation for His Kingdom; participation in His Kingdom Work; and thus, must be the foundation of our prayer life.
The devil’s scheme against praying in Tongues
Which is why the devil will do and say anything to convince Christians otherwise.
“How do you know what you are saying?
What if you are uttering rubbish? Or saying something bad against God?
When you pray in tongues, are you are not trying to boast about your ‘holiness’?
“Praying in tongues are not for you; you are not worthy. Only the Apostles, or the Pastors and Missionaries need to be able to pray in tongues. Let them fulfill the Great Commission; you just watch them do the work.”
The devil lies.
As always.
Do you know why the devil tries to cast so much doubts or does so much to make us feel terrible and wrong about praying in tongues?
Because when we pray in tongues, the devil has absolutely no clue what we are saying.
“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Do not let the devil rob you of the very foundation and key resource of the prayer life – to pray in tongues as the Holy Spirit enables.
Understand this well.
Praying in Tongues – what it is NOT.
1. Praying in Tongues is NOT gibberish.
The Apostle Paul acknowledges that praying in Tongues is praying with the “Tongues of angels.” (1 Corinthians 3:1)
It is you, praying the mysteries of God in accordance to His Sovereign Will; rightfully using the mysterious language of God’s Kingdom.
The devil tricks us into thinking that we can learn and understand spiritual things with a worldly mindset or perspective.
This is one of the most blatantly wicked lies of the devil that has divided the Church and robbed countless believers of a deeper faith in Christ and in His Power in their lives.
2. . Praying in Tongues is NOT a known language that you understand in your mind but in your spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:2 – “For anyone who speaks in tongues does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.”
When you pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit directly imparts divine revelation – things as they are, or to come - directly into your spirit; a spiritual sense that you experience before it translates to an emotion of the heart, and consequently, sensation felt in the body.
The believer becomes confused when these two aspects of being becomes conflated – the spiritual and the emotional – which results in apprehension, and rightfully so, when we experience joy, peace or even disturbance and unrest, and think that it is the deed of our broken, sinful nature.
When we pray in tongues, understand that your spirit receives revelations from the Holy Spirit – revelations that your mind and heart cannot understand or comprehend.
In His Time, as you remain devoted to praying in tongues, healing and restoration of both your spirit and heart will take place and reconcile the two to become one; giving rise to deeper peace and greater resolve to live in the Purposes and Power of God.
Remember, never get tricked into thinking that you can learn, understand and experience spiritual things with a worldly mindset.
It is plain foolishness.
3. Praying in Tongues is NOT one of the many Spirit-gifts; it is the Holy Spirit’s mark in your life when you are baptized by Christ in the Spirit – when you experience an awakening and quickening of your spirit that deepens your faith in Christ and opens your life to the gateway of the many Spirit-empowered supernatural gifts.
Praying tongues is the gateway to the rest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empowers you to be Christ’s witness. (Ref: Acts 1:8)
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.
He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6)
When the Apostle Paul placed his hands on them, the Ephesian believers first spoke in tongues, and then, prophesied – which reveals the key spiritual paradigm of the Holy Spirit’s mark on a Spirit-baptized believer; and the fundamental requirement for every believer to pray in Tongues as enabled by the Holy Spirit.
There are teachings within the wider Church that disregards this distinction; or more tragically, purports that praying in tongues and the believer’s manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit has ceased with the death of the Apostles.
That is disinformation.
Be very careful to understand that prophecies will cease, tongues are stilled and knowledge will pass away only “when perfection comes” and “what is in part disappears”. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
So, till the moment we see Christ face to face, praying in tongues must remain an integral part of the true born-again believer.
Though it is for essentially for self-edification – in which, our Lord Jesus Christ personally ushers you into a deeper faith relationship with Him; we are only effective as church builders and kingdom workers if we are strong and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The key to becoming witnesses for our Lord Jesus Christ is commitment to praying in Tongues as the Spirit enables – each and every day.
Unlock the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life; devote time to praying to God through uttering mysteries by the Spirit.
4. Praying in tongues is not an outward mark of ‘holiness’; but an inward devotion to a life of holiness.
In Christ’s words, this is our cross to bear.
To pick up our cross in a world where everyone else picks up everything else - money, power, prestige, security, comfort etc. – is to be set apart for the sole purpose of becoming Christ’s witnesses; and to have sole allegiance and anticipation of God’s Coming Kingdom - to begin at this very moment to enculturate ourselves in God’s Kingdom culture; by first being willing to learn God’s language; as opposed to the language of Man at Babel.
Such is the spiritual paradigm of the Apostle Paul –
“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)
When we are encouraged to pray in tongues during corporate worship, the purpose is not a show of ‘holiness’, but a pastoral exhortation, along with a personal, sacred indication - that we are not alone in our devotion and discipline of praying in Tongues to seek the mysterious Will of God upon our lives and our church.
Praying in Tongues in a corporate setting is a group of believers working out individually in the same place; preparing to fully engage, and participate in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ together.
It is analogous to a team training within the confines of a gym; where every individual is made strong, in order that the team is corporately prepared when the game comes on.
Every day, pray in Tongues and experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit afresh!
Begin by setting aside 15 sacred minutes unto the Lord; gradually increasing in the weeks that follow - to pray solely in the language of God’s Kingdom; and allow the Spirit speak through you; interceding on your behalf, through mysterious utterances that is “in accordance with the Will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
Remember, you are born again to speak God’s language; and live forever in His Kingdom.
Through the Power of the Holy Spirit, every Christian must live the supernatural life!
Devote to a life of prayer that brings you into communion directly and personally with our Lord Jesus Christ; daily spend time praying in tongues as the Spirit enables you – as He takes you each day deeper in faith, hope and love for the Lord, Your God.
May the Spirit of the Lord speak through you; may His Word be on your tongue. (Ref: 2 Samuel 23:2)
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, may I experience your baptism afresh each and every day of my life.
Help me in my weakness; for I truly do not know what I ought to pray for.
Spirit of my Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for me through Your heavenly Tongue that speak to Your mysteries - as You enable me to; in the assurance that my heart, mind and body would be transformed into the likeness of Christ and thus, fulfill Your Holy Will in every aspect of my life. (Romans 8:26-27)
Forgive my disobedience and doubts about praying in Tongues; and strengthen my resolve to devote time in prayer solely in the language of Your Kingdom.
Holy Spirit, I ask that You establish, strengthen and sensitise my spirit; that as I pray in Tongues, I would more deeply receive every Spirit-gift accorded to me in order for me to be a faithful and obedient witness and servant to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
As I pray in Tongues, lead me through the gateway of Your Power and Supernatural gifts – thereby making my life a miraculous testament to Your Love, Grace and Mercy.
Grant me resolve to set aside sacred time to pray solely in Tongues; that my life of devotion to this essential and fundamental spiritual discipline would indeed enculturate me in Your Kingdom Culture; preparing me, and using me to prepare the world for the day of the Lord’s Return to judge the living and the dead.
As You take me deeper into faith, hope and love for God, transform my spiritual paradigm and reality that my life’s focus and purpose is in the work of inbreaking Your Kingdom.
I acknowledge that I have been born-again to speak Your language and live a supernatural life!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.