Instead we are going to talk about symbiotic relationships. That's right, symbiotic relationships. Specifically symbiotic relationships that are mutually beneficial to both parties (also known as mutualism). In order to talk about it though, we should probably understand what it is. You could read the textbook definition found here, or you could take my word for it. Essentially what we're talking about is a relationship that exists between two living things where they both benefit.
One example of this, can be seen with a bee and a flower. The bee receives nectar, while the flower has its pollen distributed (necessary for reproduction). A second example can be seen in the relationship shared by a rhinoceros and oxpecker. The oxpecker is a small bird that lives around rhinos (also zebras) and eats various parasites off of the rhino. So the oxpecker receives an ample supply of food from the rhino while the rhino has harmful pests removed by the oxpecker.
Obviously this was a sermon, and so you know that the third examples just has to be a "churchy" one, and you are correct! Our third example has to do with spiritual gifts. The pertinent passages may be found here and here. There are other passages in the Bible that speak about spiritual gifts, but these are the two we looked at this past Sunday. Today's message is not a doctoral study on spiritual gifts but rather an introduction to them. It is not important that you understand every aspect, but only a few simple concepts.
First of all, spiritual gifts come from God, and they are not skills or talents. They are gifts. Second, spiritual gifts may be gifts you have for your entire lifetime, or like the apostles at Pentecost, they may only be given for a short period of time. Most people have multiple spiritual gifts (think 2 or 3) and those gifts may or may not be different at different times in your life. Finally it's important to realize that spiritual gifts are given to Christians for the purpose of building up the Church/Body of Christ/Kingdom of God and therefore should be used in harmony with other people's spiritual gifts.
It was at this point that I gave the following list of 19 spiritual gifts that can be found in the bible:
Teaching
Evangelism
Administration
Leadership
Giving
Wisdom
Faith
Prophecy
Servanthood
Healing
Discernment
Discernment
Compassion
Shepherding
Shepherding
Miracles
Exhortation
Exhortation
Interpretation/Tongues
Apostleship
Apostleship
Helping
Knowledge
After giving the list of gifts, I spent a good bit of time pointing out a few members of each congregation who I felt demonstrated various gifts. Then I used the example of those people to better explain a few of these gifts and how they could work together. I won't do that now, but instead I will direct you to this web address (run by the United Methodist Church) that helps to explain spiritual gifts and even helps individuals identify what spiritual gifts they may have.
I also want to be sure to point out that even if you don't remember what a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship is, and even if you can't list the fruit of the spirit (which we weren't talking about anyway), and even if you don't know all the spiritual gifts, that you at least remember this next point. Spiritual gifts are meant to be used and they are meant to be used together. That is to say that whatever spiritual gifts you have, you need to use them in order for them to be any good to anyone. Secondly it is vitally important for you to realize that our spiritual gifts work best when they are used in conjunction with other spiritual gifts.
It's not show and tell, but rather show and share. Show your spiritual gifts off, by sharing them and using them with one another.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
Knowledge
After giving the list of gifts, I spent a good bit of time pointing out a few members of each congregation who I felt demonstrated various gifts. Then I used the example of those people to better explain a few of these gifts and how they could work together. I won't do that now, but instead I will direct you to this web address (run by the United Methodist Church) that helps to explain spiritual gifts and even helps individuals identify what spiritual gifts they may have.
I also want to be sure to point out that even if you don't remember what a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship is, and even if you can't list the fruit of the spirit (which we weren't talking about anyway), and even if you don't know all the spiritual gifts, that you at least remember this next point. Spiritual gifts are meant to be used and they are meant to be used together. That is to say that whatever spiritual gifts you have, you need to use them in order for them to be any good to anyone. Secondly it is vitally important for you to realize that our spiritual gifts work best when they are used in conjunction with other spiritual gifts.
It's not show and tell, but rather show and share. Show your spiritual gifts off, by sharing them and using them with one another.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor John
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