CONCERNING TONGUES – PART 4 OF 4
FROM GIFTS TO FULLNESS
Growing Up Into the Measure of the Stature of Christ
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:13
INTRODUCTION: THE JOURNEY WAS NEVER ABOUT TONGUES
As we arrive at the final section of Concerning Tongues, a remarkable truth begins to emerge.
Many people pick up a book on tongues expecting to learn about a spiritual gift.
Others expect to learn how to receive the Holy Spirit.
Some want to understand Pentecostal experiences.
Others want answers to theological questions.
Yet as Curry Blake brings this teaching to its conclusion, one thing becomes increasingly clear:
The book was never ultimately about tongues.
Tongues are important.
Tongues are biblical.
Tongues are powerful.
Tongues build up the believer.
Tongues strengthen faith.
Tongues increase spiritual sensitivity.
But tongues are not the destination.
Christlikeness is the destination.
The purpose of every gift, every manifestation, every ministry office, every act of service, every prayer, every revelation, and every work of the Holy Spirit is to bring believers into maturity and conformity to Jesus Christ.
The goal is not to become known as someone who speaks in tongues.
The goal is to become someone through whom Jesus can freely live, move, and reveal Himself to the world.
PAUL’S SURPRISING CONFESSION
One of the most important statements in the entire discussion comes from the Apostle Paul:
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.”
Think about who said that.
- The greatest missionary of the New Testament.
- The writer of most of the New Testament letters.
- The apostle who planted churches across nations.
- The man who raised the dead.
- The man who received extraordinary revelations.
- The man caught up into the third heaven.
- The man who changed world history.
Yet Paul openly declared:
“I speak with tongues more than you all.”
That single statement should forever settle the argument that tongues are only for immature believers.
If tongues were merely an entry-level experience, why would Paul still be doing it more than anyone else?
Why would the man with the greatest revelation continue praying in the Spirit constantly?
The answer is obvious.
Paul understood that praying in the Spirit was one of the greatest tools available for spiritual growth, revelation, endurance, wisdom, and communion with God.
PRIVATE TONGUES AND PUBLIC TONGUES
One of the major themes Curry Blake addresses is the difference between private and public use of tongues.
Many believers have confused these two expressions and have therefore misunderstood Paul’s teaching.
Paul never condemned tongues.
Paul regulated public use.
Private tongues strengthen the believer.
Public tongues require interpretation.
Private tongues build up faith.
Public tongues build up the assembly.
Private tongues are fellowship.
Public tongues are ministry.
Paul was not trying to reduce the use of tongues.
He was trying to bring order and understanding to their use.
Even after correcting abuses, he concluded with these words:
“Forbid not to speak with tongues.”
How tragic that many churches have done exactly what Paul said not to do.
THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT TAKE CONTROL OF YOU
One of the most liberating truths in this section is the understanding that the Holy Spirit does not override human will.
Many people wait for God to force them.
Many wait for an overwhelming sensation.
Many wait for God to take control of their tongue.
But Acts 2 says:
“They began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The Spirit gave.
They spoke.
The Spirit inspired.
They cooperated.
The Spirit supplied.
They yielded.
This same principle applies throughout the Christian life.
God works with willing believers.
He does not possess them.
The Holy Spirit is Helper, Teacher, Guide, Comforter, and Strengthener.
He empowers partnership.
He does not remove responsibility.
HOWARD CARTER AND THE LESSON OF AUTHORITY
One of the most fascinating stories in this section concerns Howard Carter.
During World War I, Carter was imprisoned as a conscientious objector.
Rain continually leaked through a crack in the ceiling directly onto his bed.
Unable to move his bed, he repeatedly asked God to stop the problem.
Finally, God spoke:
“You do something.”
Carter replied:
“What can I do?”
God responded:
“You can talk.”
He spoke directly to the rain and commanded it not to enter the cell.
According to his testimony, the rain ceased entering the prison cell even though the opening remained.
That experience became one of the foundations of his understanding of spiritual authority.
Many believers continue praying for God to do things He has already authorized them to do.
Faith often begins where excuses end.
WHY GOD GAVE GIFTS TO THE MOST MESSED-UP CHURCH
Perhaps one of the most surprising observations in this section concerns the Corinthian church.
They were immature.
Divided.
Argumentative.
Carnal.
Yet Paul gave the most complete teaching on spiritual gifts to them.
Why?
Because gifts are not rewards.
Gifts meet needs.
Gifts are tools.
Gifts are expressions of God’s grace.
Fruit is grown.
Character is developed.
But gifts are freely given.
Many believers wrongly assume gifts belong only to spiritual elites.
Paul destroyed that idea.
God gives gifts because people need help.
The gifts reveal God’s goodness, not man’s perfection.
JOHN G. LAKE AND THE DIVINE LIFE
John G. Lake believed Christianity was meant to be much more than occasional spiritual experiences.
He often spoke about Divine Life.
Not merely divine power.
Not merely divine manifestations.
Divine Life.
He taught that believers should become carriers of God’s life.
As believers mature, they become less dependent upon occasional bursts of power and more accustomed to living from continual union with God.
The goal is not merely visiting God’s presence.
The goal is living in His presence.
The goal is becoming so yielded that Christ is naturally expressed through every area of life.
THE TUNING FORK OF THE SPIRIT
Curry Blake shares several testimonies involving John G. Lake, David Hogan, and others who developed unusual spiritual sensitivity through extensive prayer in the Spirit.
He compares this to a tuning fork.
The more time believers spend praying in the Spirit, the more sensitive they become to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Guidance becomes clearer.
Promptings become easier to recognize.
Discernment increases.
Spiritual awareness deepens.
This does not make someone special.
It simply makes them available.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
One of the strongest teachings in this section comes from Ephesians 4.
Christ gave:
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Evangelists
- Pastors
- Teachers
Why?
To equip the saints.
To prepare believers for ministry.
To strengthen the Body of Christ.
To bring maturity.
To bring unity.
To bring believers into the knowledge of the Son of God.
The ultimate objective is clear:
“The measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
Nothing less.
Not church attendance.
Not religious activity.
Not merely surviving until heaven.
The goal is becoming like Jesus.
THE WORLD IS WAITING
Romans declares that creation is groaning.
Waiting.
Longing.
Expecting.
Not merely for another conference.
Not merely for another sermon.
Not merely for another church program.
The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.
The world is waiting for believers who:
- Love like Jesus.
- Serve like Jesus.
- Pray like Jesus.
- Heal like Jesus.
- Walk in authority like Jesus.
- Reveal the Father like Jesus.
The world is waiting for mature sons and daughters.
LIFE APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
Daily
- Pray in tongues every day.
- Read the Word every day.
- Acknowledge the Holy Spirit every morning.
- Pray for at least one person daily.
- Practice hearing and obeying God’s voice.
Weekly
- Share your faith.
- Encourage another believer.
- Study the ministry of Jesus.
- Journal spiritual lessons learned.
Monthly
- Review your spiritual growth.
- Evaluate your prayer life.
- Identify areas requiring maturity.
- Set new spiritual goals.
- Commit to serving someone intentionally.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What challenged me most in this study?
- How has my understanding of the Holy Spirit changed?
- How consistent am I in praying in the Spirit?
- Am I pursuing gifts more than character?
- Where do I need greater maturity?
- What areas of my life need to look more like Jesus?
- What practical changes will I implement immediately?
- What is the Holy Spirit saying to me now?
DECLARATIONS
🔥 I am filled with the Holy Spirit.
🔥 Rivers of living water flow through me.
🔥 I walk in wisdom.
🔥 I walk in revelation.
🔥 I walk in faith.
🔥 I walk in love.
🔥 I walk in peace.
🔥 I walk in divine strength.
🔥 I build myself up in my most holy faith.
🔥 I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.
🔥 Christ is being formed in me.
🔥 I grow daily into the fullness of Christ.
🔥 I will fulfill God’s purpose for my life.
🔥 Jesus Christ is revealed through me.
FINAL COMMISSIONING PRAYER
Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit.
Thank You for every lesson learned through this journey.
Thank You for every truth revealed.
Thank You for every burden lifted.
Thank You for every believer who will be strengthened through these pages.
Teach us to walk with You daily.
Teach us to pray in the Spirit.
Teach us to hear Your voice.
Teach us to live from Your presence.
May we never settle for spiritual mediocrity.
May we never stop growing.
May we never stop pursuing Christ.
Raise up believers who reflect Your character.
Raise up disciples who carry Your power.
Raise up leaders who serve with humility.
Raise up intercessors who know Your heart.
Raise up evangelists who reach the lost.
Raise up sons and daughters who reveal Jesus to the nations.
And may we grow into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Until the world sees Jesus through us.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THE JOURNEY COMPLETE
Part 1 — The Promise of the Father
Part 2 — The Spirit-Filled Life
Part 3 — The Dynamo of the Spirit
Part 4 — From Gifts to Fullness
The final message of the book is simple:
Praying in tongues is not the goal.
Becoming like Jesus is the goal.
Shalom!
Ambassador Godseagle Monday Ogbe
Find the books via the links https://shop.otakada.org/product/concerning-tongues-the-promise-of-the-father-and-the-power-of-the-saints-by-curry-r-blake/
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