Speaking in tongues, you’re not speaking to men but to God.  So, if I’m not speaking to men, but I’m speaking to God, when the interpretation of that tongue comes forward, should it be unto men or unto God?  If it’s the interpretation?  And yet, 99 percent of all churches, when you hear an interpretation of tongues, addresses it toward men, toward the congregation.  You’ll see that as we’re looking at these things that 1 Corinthians 14:17 says when you’re speaking in tongues, you’re giving thanks well.  Acts, Chapter 10, verse 46, says, “We heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”  Amen?  So, when the interpretation comes forth, it should be a supernatural magnification of God.  Making God big, praise God, in our midst, with a supernatural unction that speaks directly to our hearts.  And our spirit, then, and the Holy Spirit bearing witness with that spirit, that this is, in fact, the voice of God.

These gifts complement one another, but they don’t overlap.  “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue,” verse 4, put it down, again, in your notes.  What happens? “…edifieth himself” (1 Corinthians 14:4).  So, no wonder the Corinthians were enjoying speaking in tongues.  He that prays in an unknown tongue does what?  Edifies himself, builds himself up, encourages himself.  It’s a refreshing.  When you’re depressed, and you begin to pray in other tongues, it’ll drive that depression out of your life.  Why?  You got your eyes off yourself.  You’re magnifying God.  You’re giving thanks well, hallelujah.  Amen?  That’s one of the reasons Paul said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all” (1 Corinthians 14:18).  That’s why we just saw over in 1 Thessalonians, “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).  Amen?  I would speak that, very soberly, to us as a congregation.  Don’t turn yourself into a Baptist.  Seek, covet the best gifts.  Desire spiritual gifts; amen?  This is the admonition that God has given to the church.  Paul says, verse 5, “I would that ye all spake with tongues...”

Now, we’re taking this time because what you’re going to hear out there when you’re out in society from all the other Christians, we hear, “Well, tongues have passed away.”  Well, prove it.  The evidence of proof is on you.  You’re saying that tongues have passed away.  Prove it.  The evidence of proof is on you that it passed away.  When?  Tell me the day.  Give me the date.  Give me the year.  Give me a Scripture that would indicate that.  Let me give you a Scripture from the Book of Acts, “This gift is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).  Does that sound like passed away?  Give me a Scripture.  Jesus said, “I’m going to build a church.”  Jesus said, “Go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise.”  The promise was that it’s going to be for generations; and Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, the Head of His church, praise God.  Nope, can’t buy your theory.  Come up with some Scripture.