Sunday December 27, 2009

Two Turtle Doves

Text:  Luke 2:22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord  23  (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), 24  and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 

Introduction:  Poverty can be defined as living without sufficient material resources.  Many people know both the problem and pain of not having enough.  We must have a theology (knowledge of God) that gives us living ability in times of poverty.   Our theology of poverty must be that we can trust the sufficiency of the Master over any insufficiency of the material.  

Foundational Biblical Realities
Being poor still means that God is our ultimate Provider
Being poor in spirit is the starting point and not the finish line
Being poor is sometimes a choice and oftentimes a crutch
Being poor means we have everything to gain and nothing to lose
Being poor does not excuse us from participating in the process or playing our part
     The angelic visitation did not excuse them from the presentation
     The immaculate conception did not excuse them from the presentation
     The governmental taxation did not excuse them from the presentation
     The prophetic location did not excuse them from the presentation
     The financial situation did not excuse them from the presentation
     The cultural expectation did not excuse them from the presentation
     The uncertain destination did not excuse them from the presentation

The Presentation Of Two Turtledoves 
1.  Two turtledoves represented their destitution (Lowly)
2.  Two turtledoves represented their dedication (Lordship)
3.  Two turtledoves represented their devotion (Lawful)
4.  Two turtledoves represented their desperation (Love)
5.  Two turtledoves represented their declaration (Loyalty)

Closing:  The main issue is not our lack of the material, but our love and loyalty to the Master.  The giving of the treasure in our hand is a reflection of the living treasure that's in our hearts.  While Joseph and Mary were presenting Jesus in the temple and giving their required offering, the Wisemen were preparing to journey their way to present to them their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Only after Joseph and Mary's obedient giving did they come to discover God's abundant provision.  Obedience proceeds Overflow.

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