Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Albany, NY Live Stream

Calling apparent spiritual phenomena by their biblical definition, the text clarifies that true tongues are languages meant to be interpreted and that God is not the author of confusion. Revelation must align with the Word; any inward impression or claim to hear God must be tested against Scripture. Spiritual gifts come in many forms—teaching, evangelism, singing, medical skill, memory, compassion—and God gives each gift for a clear purpose: to build others and advance the kingdom, not to elevate personal fame. Natural talents like medical knowledge or teaching ability count as God-given ministry tools when used to help people.

The call to steward gifts stresses staying in one’s assigned lane: gifts should be used where they work, not pursued out of envy. Hoarding titles, roles, or platforms undermines the community; effectiveness measures itself by who was mentored and raised up. Generosity with time, resources, and access proves faithful stewardship; a closed fist blocks further blessing. Service requires humility and perseverance—serving even when tired, criticized, or misunderstood—and often yields unseen fruit that opens doors later. Kindness, consistent greeting, and small acts of care soften hardened hearts and introduce people to Jesus without a gospel word.

Suffering and a persistent “thorn” serve spiritual formation by preventing pride and keeping dependence on grace. Hard places sharpen purpose; pain and trials can prompt spiritual awakening and redirect toward mission. God’s gifts come with an expectation to pour out what has been received: pouring out multiplies blessing, while clinging empties the hand. The divine invitation remains urgent—wakefulness and breath imply a purpose; every gift and every morning is a summons to serve. Practical discipleship includes mentoring successors, ministering with compassion, and using every given ability to meet real needs so that the church bears fruit across generations.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. True tongues require interpretation Genuine tongues function as real languages meant to be understood by someone in the body; without interpretation they confuse rather than edify. Testing claimed utterances against communal clarity protects the church from deception and preserves the purpose of revelation as building others, not mystifying them. [00:13]
• 2. Gifts must align with Scripture Any inward leading that contradicts clear biblical teaching cannot carry divine authority; Scripture anchors discernment and proves revelations. Submission of private impressions to public, tested truth keeps the community unified and prevents idiosyncratic errors. [01:27]
• 3. Steward gifts; don’t hoard God gives abilities to be shared: withholding time, titles, or resources betrays stewardship and stops multiplication. Fruitful ministry measures itself by those trained and served, not by how long a person holds a position. [16:04]
• 4. Serve humbly and persistently Service requires a humble heart and endurance—serve when exhausted, criticized, or unnoticed—because consistent kindness chips away at hardened places. Small acts of welcome and compassion often become the bridge that introduces people to Jesus over time. [38:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:13] - Tongues: meaning and limits
• [01:27] - Unity of Word and Spirit
• [02:04] - Test revelations with Scripture
• [03:05] - What a tongue truly is
• [05:21] - Gifts: diverse and practical
• [08:47] - Stay in your lane
• [16:04] - Share gifts; mentor others
• [38:25] - Compassion wins hearts
• [50:45] - Service requires humility
• [54:24] - Purpose in pain and trials
• [61:00] - Closing prayer and charge

Bible reading
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (ESV) - If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV) - As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (ESV) - So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Observation questions

1. According to 1 Corinthians 14, what are the two specific rules given for the use of tongues in a church gathering?
2. What does 1 Peter 4:10 state is the primary purpose for which every believer has received a gift?
3. In 2 Corinthians 12, what was the purpose of the "thorn" given to Paul, and what was the Lord's specific response to his plea for its removal?
4. The sermon described a genuine spiritual tongue as a real language meant to be understood, not repetitive babbling. [03:40] What biblical principle from 1 Corinthians 14 supports this distinction?

Interpretation questions

1. Why would God allow a "thorn" or a persistent struggle to remain in a believer's life, even after they have asked for it to be removed? What does this teach about the relationship between human weakness and divine strength?
2. The idea of stewardship implies that our gifts are not our own to hoard. [16:04] How does the command to be "good stewards of God's varied grace" in 1 Peter 4:10 challenge a mindset of holding tightly to titles, roles, or platforms within the church?
3. The sermon emphasized that service requires humility and must continue even when we are tired or criticized. [32:40] How does serving "by the strength that God supplies" (1 Peter 4:11) change our perspective on our own capacity and endurance in ministry?
4. If a claimed revelation or spiritual experience contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture, what does that reveal about its source, and why is the unity of the Word and Spirit so crucial for discernment? [01:27]

Application questions

1. A true spiritual gift is meant to build others up and requires interpretation to avoid confusion. [00:13] How can you personally apply this biblical standard to evaluate spiritual experiences you encounter or hear about?
2. God gives abilities to be shared, and fruitful ministry is measured by who was trained and served, not by how long a person holds a position. [16:04] Is there an area where you are holding onto a role or a skill instead of mentoring someone else? What is one practical step you could take this week to begin pouring into another person?
3. Service requires a humble heart and endurance—to serve when exhausted, criticized, or unnoticed—because consistent kindness chips away at hardened places. [38:25] Who in your life has a "hardened exterior" that might be softened by your consistent, humble kindness, even if you never see an immediate result?
4. A persistent "thorn" or struggle can serve to keep us dependent on God's grace and prevent pride. [46:31] What is a recurring weakness or challenge in your life that, instead of merely praying for its removal, you could ask God to use to keep you humble and reliant on His sufficient grace?
5. The gifts we have, whether teaching, compassion, or practical skills, are given so that somebody else can benefit from them. [17:57] Looking at your natural talents and spiritual gifts, who specifically needs to benefit from what God has given you? How will you intentionally use your gift for them this month?
6. Every morning we wake up with breath in our lungs is a reminder that we have a purpose from God. [54:24] How does this truth change the way you view a mundane Tuesday? What is one purposeful, God-honoring action you can build into your daily routine?
7. We are called to introduce people to Jesus, sometimes without a gospel word, through simple acts of welcome and compassion. [33:45] Who is one person in your community (a neighbor, coworker, store clerk) you can commit to consistently and kindly greeting, not to get anything, but simply to be a light?