We are supposed to be excited about our gifts but we are supposed to use them in ways that build up everybody. If you're the only one being blessed, then you're doing it wrong.

1. Rules, Boundaries and
Limitations
1 Corinthians 14:12–33

2. 1 Corinthians 14:12–33
12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts,
seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13
Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he
may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit
prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome
then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the
mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with
the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit
only, how will the one who fills the place of the

3. ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since
he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are
giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not
edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than
you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five
words with my mind so that I may instruct others also,
rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil
be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law
it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS
OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY
WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.

4. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who
believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign,
not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Therefore
if the whole church assembles together and all speak in
tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will
they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy,
and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is
convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the
secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on
his face and worship God, declaring that God is
certainly among you. 26 What is the outcome then,
brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm,

5. has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an
interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27
If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at
the most three, and each in turn, and one must
interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep
silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to
God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the
others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to
another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31
For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may
learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of
prophets are subject to prophets;

6. 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in
all the churches of the saints.

7. 1 Corinthians 14:36–40
36 Was it from you that the word of God first went
forth? Or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks
he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the
things which I write to you are the Lord’s
commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize
this, he is not recognized. 39 Therefore, my brethren,
desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to
speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done
properly and in an orderly manner.

8. Everybody needs rules
Raising kids
Driving on the road
Training pets

9. #7 The New Testament governed the miraculous
gifts.Whenever the New Testament gifts of tongues was
to be practiced, there were specific rules that were to
be followed. There was to be order and structure, as
well as an interpreter. Paul also lays down rules for
prophets and prophecy. Tragically most charismatic
practice today clearly disregards these commands. The
result is not a work of the spirit but of the flesh.
We are supposed to follow the rules

10. Key Verses
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek
to abound for the edification of the church.
…desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to
speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly
and in an orderly manner.

11. Simply put
Our desire should be to discover our gifts.
We should learn how to use them properly.

12. Follow
the
Chain
1 Corinthians 13:11…When I was a child, I used to speak
like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I
became a man, I did away with childish things.
Childish to use spiritual gifts without love

13. Follow the chain
1 Corinthians 14:20…Brethren, do not be
children in your thinking; yet in evil be
infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Thinking about spiritual gifts

14. Rules
If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at
the most three, and each in turn, and one must
interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep
silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to
God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the
others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to
another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.

15. Rules
For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may
learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of
prophets are subject to prophets;
1 Corinthians 14:27–32

16. General Guidelines
 Must be at appropriate time.
 If you’re uncertain, come and ask.
 Speak loud enough for everyone to hear.
 Think about what is said and make a note.

17. Specific Guidelines
 Two or at the most three speakers.
 Tongues must have an interpretation.
 Orderly, if someone else speaks let them.
 Everything that is said must be judged.
 There should be a response.
 If no one interprets, don’t speak again.

18. I have to do it now!
…the spirits of prophets are
subject to prophets
It’s exciting
A sense of urgency
A sense of
fullness/overflowing
God is not the author of
confusion

19. About tongues
If you speak in tongues pray for the interpretation
 Only you are edified and things in a service must
edify everyone
 Unknowledgeable people may become confused
 Corinthians used the gift to bless the agape feast

20. This is in context of a worship service
What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit
and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the
spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
 Appropriate time
 Appropriate volume
 Appropriately edify others and self

21. It’s all about edification
I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
however, in the church I desire to speak five words with
my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than
ten thousand words in a tongue.
Understanding produces maturity

22. The sign of tongues: context(s)
So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who
believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign,
not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
Babylonian captivity
Day of Pentecost
Church of Corinth

23. Prophecy
For the
believer for
edification
The unbeliever
is not edified
but convicted

24. Prophecy defined
1 Corinthians 14:26…What is the outcome then,
brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm,
has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an
interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

25. Prophecy
A revelation from God in a language understood by the
hearers.
Word of wisdom Scripture reading
Word of knowledge Exhortation
Revelation Spirit inspired song
Prophecy Preaching
A Teaching

26. Our take away
1. We need to discover our spiritual gifts
2. We need to use them to build up each other
3. We have to use them in an orderly fashion
4. We will grow

27. Rules, Boundaries and
Limitations
1 Corinthians 14:12–33