k.i.s.s.

Asst. Coach in "The Waterboy"

I loved the passage we read today, I Corinthians 14, in the Verve bible reading plan. One of the things it addresses is speaking in tongues, which is an interesting gift of the Holy Spirit. The first time tongues is mentioned was in Acts when the Holy Spirt came to Jesus' disciples (now called apostles) when they were waiting in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came and they all started talking in different languages so that all the people in the city heard and understood the message of Jesus in their own language.

Anyway, He addresses the practicality of the gift of speaking in tongues. Evidently when the followers of Jesus got together in Corinth, they would all start speaking in tongues, even though there was no one around that could understand it. I guess this is what they thought they needed to do, but, in verse 23 Paul says:

"So if the whole church comes together and
  everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or
  unbelievers come in, will they not say that you
  are out of your mind?"

I think this is a great encouragement for us as we set out to start a church for people that don't like church. Many times, as we hold our church services, we have a tendency to speak about things to the congregation as if they know what we're talking about. Visitors to our churches, that want to check out what Jesus is all about, can easily get lost and feel like they don't belong if they don't understand the big Christian-eese words being spoken.

There is a time and a place for speaking in tongues, but, when it comes to starting a church for people far from God, I Cor 14:23 is a great reminder to - KEEP IT SIMPLE!