The beauty of spiritual language : unveiling the mystery of speaking in tongues

Jack Hayford’s approach to speaking in tongues doesn’t fit the stereotype. Revised and expanded with new content. People often think speaking in tongues is either gibberish or emotional exuberance. They think it is strange, dramatic, or sometimes excessive. Even among Spirit-filled communities, there is disagreement over the importance of tongues. Pastor Jack makes a persuasive case for accepting tongues as a normal part of a Christian’s experience. In sensible, biblical terms he reaches across denominational lines to explain this intimate encounter with the heart of God. This revised and expanded edition includes fourteen never-before published lessons from Pastor Jack. CONTENTS Title Page Copyright Page Introduction - Call It a Risk with Warmth Section One - Discovering the Beauty 1 - The Beauty of Spiritual Language 2 - Seeing the Heart of God Here Was God’s Heart for Lost Humanity Here Was God’s Heart for Aching Humanity Here Was God’s Heart for Practical Purity of Life Here Was God’s Heart for Revelation Here Was a Heart for Intimacy with God 3 - Love’s Language of Praise Step One: Invitation Step Two: Praise Step Three: Decision 4 - Though I Speak with Tongues Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am an Intelligent Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Sensible Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Fallible Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Growing Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Dependable Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Sinful Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Biblical and Christ-centered Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Happy Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am an Average Person Though I Speak with Tongues ... I Am a Hope-filled, Trusting Person 5 - The Light Coming from Above Speak to Him in Tongues Conversion Episodes An Unnecessary Struggle 6 - Historic Landmarks— Broadening Boundaries Broadening Beyond a Restrictive Viewpoint Signs of the Holy Spirit’s Fullness But Then, Too ... Free from an Unrequired Mission Breaking Free in Fullness and Fellowship 7 - For You May All Prophesy The Spirit of Prophecy A Practice Worth Preserving But How Does It Work Now? The Grace in the Gifts Learning about Prophesying But Why Would Anyone Want to Prophesy? But What About the Odd Characters? How Is Prophesying Kept in Perspective? 8 - A Beauty with Blessed Benefits Rivers He Promised 9 - For the Promise Is to You Welcoming Spiritual Language Steps to Take Beginning to Speak in Tongues 10 - The Ultimate Beauty— The Uniqueness of Christ The Conference Message Section Two - Living the Beauty Note to the Reader The Gift of Speech Introduction The Miracle of Speech Why There Are Many Languages? The Redemption of Language Kings Rule through Their Words Conclusion Learning How to Speak in English Introduction We Are Born Again Through Confession Speech is Part of the Maturing Process— We Become God’s Oracles The Word Was There from the Beginning Learning When Not to Speak Conclusion How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Introduction Why Be Baptized with the Spirit? Experience the Personal Miracle The Importance of Spiritual Language Five Steps to Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Take a Leap Earnestly Desire the Best Gifts Introduction Spiritual Language in the Work of the Holy Spirit The Trinity in Action How to Handle Your Gifts A Larger Flow of Ministry The Manifestation of the Holy Spirit The Manifestation of the Spirit Is to Profit Every Man The Manifestation Should be Conducive to Growth The Spirit of the Gifts The Spirit of Love A Spiritual Response is Required The Fundamental Manifestation of Love The Need for Discernment Desire the Excellent, Sincere, and Unpolluted Speak to Him with Tongues Introduction—The Miracle of Pentecost A Historical Overview of Speaking with Tongues Conclusion Enlargement Through Spiritual Language Introduction We Operate in Two Realms—Mind and Spirit Spiritual Language is for Everyone Practicing Gifts Decently and in Order Spiritual Language is Speaking to God Spiritual Language Demonstrates Faith Spiritual Language is Partnering with God Spiritual Language Empowers the Believer Spiritual Language Brings Peace Conclusion Problems in the Spiritual Language Introduction Entering Into the Fullness of the Spirit Problems with Speaking with Tongues Conclusion The Great Psychiatrist: Introduction Overcoming the Hindrance of a Spirit of Fear Overcoming the Hindrance of a Spirit of Doubt Overcoming the Hindrance of Inner Turmoil Conclusion What Church is Supposed to Be About Introduction The Church Is Not Solely About Entertainment or Excitement The Church Is Not Solely About Evangelism The Church Is Not Solely About Education The Church is About Edification Edification from Leaders in the Assembly The General Use of Spiritual Gifts in the Assembly Conclusion Appendix 1 - Receiving Christ as Lord and Savior My Prayer Your Prayer Appendix 2 - A Prayer for Inviting the Lord to Fill You with the Holy Spirit Appendix 3 - Singing Spiritual Songs Appendix 4 - The Bible and the Term “Spiritual Language” About the Author Get Grounded in the Word with Pastor Jack Jack Hayford's approach to speaking in tongues doesn't fit the stereotype. People often think speaking in tongues is either gibberish or emotional exuberance. They think it is strange, dramatic, or sometimes excessive. Even among Spirit-filled communities, there is disagreement over the importance of tongues. Pastor Jack makes a persuasive case for accepting tongues as a normal part of a Christian's experience. In sensible, biblical terms he reaches across denominational lines to explain this intimate encounter with the heart of God. This revised and expanded edition includes 14 never-before published lessons from Pastor Jack. "People often think speaking in tongues is either gibberish or emotional exuberance. They think it is strange, dramatic, or sometimes excessive. Even among Spirit-filled communities, there is disagreement over the importance of tongues. Pastor Jack makes a persuasive case for accepting tongues as a normal part of a Christian's experience. In sensible, biblical terms he reaches across denominational lines to explain this intimate encounter with the heart of God. This revised and expanded edition includes 14 never-before published lessons from Pastor Jack."-- Page [4] of cover