Sermon Summary

This week, Pastor Chris continued in our abundance sermon series with a powerful word on prayer. Chris shared the reality that prayer is the essential communication link between the visible and the invisible world. Prayer can release what God intends to do, and it has the power to change people. Chris explained what it means to pray in the spirit and shared the 4 different types of biblical tongues. He encouraged us to pray the Word of God, and to pray as often as we possibly can.

John 10:10 (ESV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Romans 2:4 (ESV)
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

“Not only is it fitting to confess those sins which we commit daily, but graver offenses ought to draw us further and recall to our minds those which seem long since buried.”
John Calvin

“Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.” Puritan Thomas Watson

Revelation 3:19 (NLT)
19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Mark 1:14–15 (ESV)
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

“. . . in all the book there is nothing which is unrelated to the Holy Spirit.” F.F. Bruce

Cessationism vs Continuationism

• Cessationism – the early Church had some extra spiritual-gifts (ex. miracles, healing, prophecy, tongues) until the N.T. writings were completed.
• Continuationism – the supernatural sign gifts continue to operate on earth until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ & establishment of the Kingdom on earth.

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Jude 20 (ESV)
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV)
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues…

What do the Scriptures teach on “praying in the Holy Spirit”?

1. It is the Spirit of man, not his mind, will, or emotions, praying to God.

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (ESV)
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

2. Every believer is called to live in Holy Spirit and live saturated by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Public Ministry Tongues

1. Tongues as a sign to the unbeliever.

Acts 2:6–7 (ESV)
6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

2. Tongues for interpretation.

1 Corinthians 14:13 (ESV)
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

Private Personal Tongues

3. Tongues for intercession.

Romans 8:26-28 (NIV)
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (or expressed in words). 27 And he who searches (knows) our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

4. Tongues for self–edification of the believer.

1 Corinthians 14:4–5 (ESV)
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:14–17 (ESV)
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

1 Corinthians 14:18 (ESV)
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

1 Corinthians 14:39 (ESV)
39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Luke 11:11–13 (ESV)
11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Discussion Questions

  1. How would you describe your current prayer life?
  2. What does it mean to pray in the spirit? See Ephesians 6:18.
  3. What is the difference between seeking God’s hand and seeking His face?
  4. What are cessationism and continuationism?
  5. Have you ever prayed in any of the 4 specific tongues Pastor Chris described?

Application Questions

  1. Meditate on 2 Chronicles 7:14 this week, seeking the Lord’s face and interceding for the Lord to heal our land.
  2. Do you need help establishing a prayer life? Go to the City Central Tacoma app for encouragement and steps to start doing so.