from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2tTA7as
via IFTTT Speaking with other tongues. A fabulous miracle. Here we have a group of believers, including the apostles, gathered waiting on God. When God showed up, and poured His Holy Spirit into the people there, filling them with the very presence of God Himself, a miracle happened. They people filled with the Spirit began to speak to others. But they spoke in a variety of languages which they had not known. The foreigners heard their own native tongues spoken fluently by these men of Israel. An impossible task for man alone. Some say this is a reversal of the tower of Babel. And sure, there are aspects of that. But the message here goes deeper, broader. These listeners did not hear them speak a single language. God has not "reversed" the division of language which He caused at Babel. No, not reverse, but overcome. God gave to power to "preach the gospel to the ends of the Earth" by granting the ability to speak to people in their own language. But not just language. That was the outward sign and miracle. But deeper than this was the ability to speak to people's inner being. Their heart. Speak to them "in their own language". We all have walls built around us. Walls that keep us "safe" but also isolate us from truth. We resist that which is difficult, that which hurts, that which calls for brokenness and repentance. We resist by hiding behind our wall. The holy spirit grants the saints this ability to speak directly to the language of the heart, past the wall. To reach a hurting soul. The Holy Spirit speaks the language of the individual, so that they can hear and understand. Jesus called the Holy Spirit a "teacher". "Leading us in all truth". By walking in the spirit, by speaking by the spirit, we speak truth to the heart walled up and hurting inside. It is not "counseling" although counselors certainly could be led of the spirit. It is not "training" or "education" that these men of Israel relied upon. They spoke by the spirit of God. This ability to speak in "tongues" can be manifested in various ways, just as a hammer can be used in a variety of ways for specific tasks. But it represent the ability to speak to anyone, anywhere, of any background, of any language, of any culture, of any past, and speak to their heart. To speak truth. To achieve brokenness and peace. This is the greatest miracle here.... Not that they spoke in languages they did not know, but that they spoke truth in a way that each listener could grasp and respond. This is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. And it is available to all saints, not just preachers. Anyone seeking God is commanded to wait for Holy Spirit power before trying to reach the world. Do you walk in the anointing of Christ, the filling of the tongues of fire? If not... Seek God. He will show you the path to this great blessing. But count the cost! Only when you are willing to "take up your cross", " die to self", "become broken and humble" will the Holy Spirit move through you. Pentecost brought the power that Jesus walked in to man, to those repentant, washed in Jesus blood, and willing to live for Christ no matter the cost. He calls you now, will you wait for power from on high?
