1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Exodus 39:24-26 NLT

They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attached them to the hem of the robe. They also made bells of pure gold and placed them between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe, with bells and pomegranates alternating all around the hem. This robe was to be worn whenever the priest ministered before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

“If you only have the bells (gifts) you’re just making noise! And if you only have the Pomegranates (fruit) you lack the power available to you to minister.” Paul Willis

“Hearing from God: knowing, hearing, seeing, feeling.” Havilah Cunnington

1. Interpret encouragement from God

1 Corinthians 12:10

He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

“A message of encouragement from God, delivered through a human vessel, to another person or persons.” Robert Morris

1 Corinthians 14:3 NKJV

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

1 Corinthians 14:1

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians. 14:5a

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied.

1 Corinthians 14:24a

But if all prophesy and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.

1 Corinthians 14: 31

For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

Acts 2:17-18 NLT

‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:29

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

1 Corinthians 14:3 NLT

But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

1 Corinthians 14:31-33

For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

2. Share messages from God you don’t understand

1 Corinthians 12:10b

To another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

“The gift of tongues is a message from God to others in a language unknown to the person through whom the message comes.” Robert Morris

“If the God who loves us and gave his beloved Son to die for us to have this gift, why would we be afraid of it?” Robert Morris

1 Corinthians 14:2-3

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

1 Cointhians 14:4-5

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Tongues + interpretation of Tongues in function = prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:23

Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

1 Corinthians 14:13

Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

3. Interpret messages from God you couldn’t understand

1 Corinthians 12:10b

To another the interpretation of tongues.

“Understanding and expressing the thought or intent of the message in tongues.” Robert Morris

Questions for reflection/discussion

1. What have your thoughts/attitude toward the vocal gifts (prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues) been in the past? Why?

2. Which of these gifts makes you the most uncomfortable? Why?

3. Do you believe God could use you to release any of these three gifts? Why or why not?

4. Do you want God to use you in these three giftings? If not, why not?