II. IT WAS BETTER TO PROPHESY THAN TO SPEAK IN TONGUES.

1. To prophesy or preach was better than speaking in tongues. Verses 1, 5. It is greater in usefulness. 

2. Prophesying far outweighed tongues. It was 2000 times better, 18-19.

3. That intended for the blessing of sinners took on the appearance of a curse. 20-23. As the sound of the unknown and foreign tongues of the nations to which God had removed His people were a token of God’s judgment upon the Jews in the days of Isaiah, so the sound of unintelligible words would appear as a sign of God’s judgment upon the unbeliever who came into their church. 

4. The benefits of prophesying. Prophesying was a preaching of God’s word. The benefits it brings is seen in verses 24-25.

1. Convinced of the truth of the gospel. John 16:8. The Word is the Spirit’s instrument to reprove sinners. Acts 9:20-22.

2. His own heart is made manifest to him. Hebs 4:12.

3. He is broken and humbled.

4. Openly confess the truth of the gospel. Rom 10:10.

Thus we have the end we should be seeking in our worship. Sinner, what of you. Have you seen your heart and fallen down before God and worshipped Him and gone out to confess the truth of the gospel?