Sermons on Mark 12:39:

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

Attitudes! Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Sep 11, 2017

What type of attitude should we have in responses to the 2 greatest commandments from God?

Let us continue to worship our God by listening to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from the Gospel of Mark. We will finish chapter 12 today, so please open your Bibles there… Read along with me Mark 12:38-43…. In 7 verses, our Lord gives both a word of warning and a word of honor. What is the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In Christ Alone Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 29, 2017

A Reformation sermon focusing on the 5 Solas.

We were introduced to the “5 Solas” one year ago this weekend in a sermon called, “Engage with the Reformation.” The second part of that message will air on Moody Radio (89.3) Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. if you’d like to listen to it. Because the Protestant Reformation began 500 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

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

She Gave Her All Series

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 3, 2018

the widow gave all she had in faith

We just heard Jesus condemn the officials of the church for being pompous, strutting around like peacocks and preying on the poor and defenseless (Mark 12:38-44). In Jesus’ time, a woman who was widowed was the lowest form of humanity. The men owned everything (even any money and property a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Episcopal

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

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

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

What Happened To Volunteerism In Church?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jan 5, 2022

Volunteerism has been on the decline in the church. The need for recognition has become important to the few who do volunteer. We should volunteer to serve Christ

What happened to volunteerism in church? Mark 12:38-40 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Mark 12:38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: United Methodist

Obligations Drawn From The Widow’s Mite

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jan 11, 2022

A NEW message from the Widow's Mite narrative in Mark's Gospel. Understanding the culture of widows gives a new view of an old story.

Obligations drawn from the Widow’s Mite Mark 12:38-41 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-41

Denomination: United Methodist

The Book Of Mark #60

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

In the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, there are over 60 references to the scribes, and over 80 references to the Pharisees.

Most of these references were made by Jesus, Himself. No doubt these people were awkward for Jesus to have to deal with. Jesus had a desire for all souls to be saved from their sins. Nevertheless, Jesus did find Himself having to rebuke the Scribes and Pharisees for the way they lived their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: Baptist