Sermons on Mark 12:39:

Widow's Mite (Revised)

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 17, 2018

God wants us to help those with the fewest of resources, to learn from them and we get blessed.

32B Fr. John Haughey, S.J., notes that Jesus, who spoke Aramaic, has an interesting word for money: mammon, which means “that in which you put your trust." Some people put their trust in their money, others in their looks, others in their muscles, their brains, their careers, house or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:10-16, Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Catholic

From Victim To Victor: The Widows Mite

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 6, 2018

A contrast between acquisitive Scribes, and a gift given out of penury.

FROM VICTIM TO VICTOR: THE WIDOW’S MITE. Mark 12:38-44. In our previous reading, Jesus pronounced one Scribe, ‘Not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12:34). Yet Jesus’ opinion of the Scribes in general was not unlike His opinion of the Pharisees (cf. Luke 11:43). ‘The Scribes and the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disgusted Or Delighted? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

A stark contrast between religious hypocrites and a faithful woman. The religious show-offs were mostly interested in what they could GET out of life. And the poor widow as interested in all she could GIVE.

INTRODUCTION My younger brother, Dan, and I are a lot alike. He serves as a Minister of Education and Senior Adults at a church in Conway, Arkansas. One thing we have in common is that we both have a sense of humor leaning toward puns and groaners. You’ve endured plenty of my groaners through the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Contrast Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2016

There is nothing like a contrast to make the point; Jesus used the idea of contrast to highlight Who He is, and to distinguish external religion from true devotion.

The Power of Contrast (Mark 12:35-44) 1. Illustration … a few years ago,. Trying to tell someone about the Windfarm on I-65 in NW Indiana. This person had never seen the big windmills, and was thinking of a place with 3 tiny windmills on US 31.. or the types farmers use to pump water in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Love In The Dark Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 10, 2010

If we truly love God and people, then we exalt the Savior, not ourselves, and give everything we have even when the days are dark.

A father passed by his son’s bedroom and was astonished to see the bed nicely made up and everything neat and tidy. Then he saw an envelope propped up on the pillow. It was addressed, “Dad.” With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands: Dear Dad, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Widows Mite.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 24, 2010

The Widows Mite. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Mark 12:38-44. This chapter closes with two warnings from the Lord: • A warning against the pride of the teachers of the law or Scribes (Mark 12:38-40) • And a warning against the pride of the rich (vv. 41-44). Quote C.S. Lewis: “A proud man is always looking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Brethren

Two Kinds Of Religion

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 5, 2018

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen?

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen? Let’s discuss the two ways of being, the takers and givers in the context of Mark 12:38-44. Outward Show Mark 12:38-39 In His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

What Brings A Smile To God's Face?

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Nov 8, 2018

A sermon in the character of an observer who was seeing the events that unfolded in Mark 12:38-44, where he see the difference between the religious rulers and the widow, and we explore not only what this means for us but what this story reveals about God.

I will never forget that day. I was sitting near the back waiting to worship and out of the corner of my eye I could the one everyone was talking about. This is the one who was challenging some of the religious authorities, not with violence but with love and something called grace. And there ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Lutheran

True Giving

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Nov 9, 2018

What does Jesus say about giving

Weekend Message/Devotion Mark 12:38-44 November 11, 2018 True Giving Have you given thought – I mean deep thought to what true giving – sacrificial giving really means? A member of our church was murdered on October 30, 2018. He gave his life. The murder made international news in many ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Check Your Motive

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 11, 2018

Jesus contrasts the Teachers of the Law with the poor widow. In the former, we see people more interested in themselves than in God; hypocrites, pretending to be something they were not. In the latter, we see a lady who loved God authentically and completely.

Check Your Motive Mark 12:38-44 In March 2009 Bernie Madoff pled guilty to running the largest Ponzi scheme in history. Bernie’s last name is appropriate, because he literally “made off” with billions of dollars belonging to his investors. A Ponzi scheme is pretty simple in concept: you convince ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Be A Show Off

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Dec 14, 2018

This could be used as a stewardship sermon and hopefully would get people to realize that their is more to being a Christian than just filling a pew. Hopefully this sermon compels people to look beyond the superficial and truly look to their heart.

(a note about the opening illustration; It is not my own but i don't know where I actually found it originally, it is tucked away with some notes I have.) There was a man who called a church and asked if he could speak to the Head Hog at the trough. The secretary said, "Who?" Then ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44, Luke 6:38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Hypocrite Man Helps The Needy They Make Known To All! Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jul 25, 2019

our good deeds should be motivated by a sincere desire to help others. Our responsibility to care for each other....

1. Wicked and hypocrite Christian: our good deeds should be motivated by a sincere desire to help others. Our responsibility to care for each other, especially to care for the poor and needy among us, is all over the place in the bible. Many Christians want public recognition when helping the poor. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-40, 1 Timothy 6:10, Philippians 4:8-9, Proverbs 29:7

Total Commitment Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 7, 2016

Jesus summarizes the law in the Great Commandment, the scribes seek honor, and a poor widow gives all.

Mark 12:28-44 “Total Commitment INTRODUCTION It doesn’t take long, while reading the gospel of Mark, to realize that the kingdom of God is a very different from the nations and societies of the world. When reflecting on the kingdom of God and what it means to be a disciple of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Radical Trust Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 2, 2012

Mark wrote nothing by accident in his gospel. Just prior to the arrest of Jesus, he presents a stark contrast between those who think they have it all and those who have nothing. Which group is which? The answer may surprise you.

As we begin this portion of Mark 12, Jesus has just finished his series of debates with the religious leaders. They’re done, but Jesus isn’t. He came to Jerusalem to first proclaim His hostile takeover—retaking for God the thing man had conformed to his own image. He proclaimed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Devouring You In The Name Of God

Contributed by Gabriel Luigi Bautista on Jan 10, 2021

Misinterpretations of these passages regarding on the poor widow

INTRODUCTION: NGAYONG UMAGA AY GUSTO KONG TALAKAYIN ANG ISA SA MGA BIBLE PASSAGES NA NAMIMISINTERPRET NG MGA CHRISTIANS AT MGA PASTORS. ITO YUNG BIBLE PASSAGES NA KADALASANG GINAGAMIT KAPAG KA TITHES AND OFFERING AT ISANG ENCOURAGMENT PARA TAYO AY MAGBIGAY PARA SA LORD. THESE ARE THE TYPICAL ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44