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

Dare Series

Contributed by Greg Lindsey on Mar 15, 2020

When it comes to stewardship, giving, generosity, our finances, our money it really isn't truth or dare with God it's truth and dare.

So hey there, good to see you and to have you with us. So we are wrapping up a series today, but before we talk about that let’s spend a second or two talking about this, that means that we are starting a brand new series next week, a series called Inside Out. We have spent the first two months ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44, Malachi 3:8-10

Core 52 Week 31 - All You Need Is Love Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Aug 4, 2020

Maybe the Beatles were right. In a world that shifts constantly, what principle do we rely on to guide us? A classic question with a timeless response. Love God and love one another.

You can hear the sermon on my podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4831982 • Our world is full of contradictory direction giving. Particularly now. o Mask, no mask? o Go out in public, stay home? o Kids go to school or not? o The problem with this situation is that deciding which ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Deuteronomy 10:12, John 14:15, Mark 12:38-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Genuine Truths Revealed Inside The Temple Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Jan 23, 2014

It was Tuesday before Jesus' crucifixion. Notice how He spent His last days. He condemned the self-righteous scribes and commended the selfless giving of one poor, destitute widow,

Countdown to Calvary Mark 12:38-44 Genuine Truths Revealed Inside the Temple Intro - 38 Then He said to them in His teaching… Outside the Temple in courtyard of women 13 shophar shaped receptacles (according to Mishnah - new shekel dues, old shekel dues, bird offerings, young birds for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:23-44

Denomination: Baptist

Loving God

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 28, 2014

True love for God demonstrates itself when we exalt the savior (not ourselves) and give everything we have.

In the Broadway play My Fair Lady, Eliza is courted by a man named Freddy, who writes her love letters every day. But that’s not enough for Eliza. Take a look (show video clip from My Fair Lady, “Show Me” song). Eliza's cries out in frustration: “Words! Words! I'm so sick ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Seeing Properly Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 19, 2014

Jesus cares how we view him, ourselves and our possessions.

• We value our vision. Seeing is important. • Many have had to experience, either for a temporary period, or in an advancing stage, life without good vision. • Part of that is getting old, I am learning. Just another inconvenience of living to be older. • A pastor went to a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-43

Denomination: Baptist

What Can We Offer?

Contributed by Malcolm Chester on Jan 5, 2010

What can we offer to God

I’m not allowed to eat at Mc Donald’s, except on very special occasions, once a year. When you go into McDonald’s you usually find that those who serve behind the counter are spotty kids who can only just bring themselves to mumble words asking you what you want. But they always manage to ask if ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Methodist

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

The Widow's Mite Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 30, 2018

The story of the widow's mite has been used to show Christians what their attitude toward giving should be. This message challenges that traditional and longstanding teaching.

Growing up I don’t think I heard a teaching about the widow’s mite that did not take the widow and make her the standard by which all of us are to give when it comes to our giving. “This poor widow woman came to the altar and gave her last mite. She did that for the Lord! What an example she is to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44, Leviticus 19:17-19, Matthew 6:1-2, Luke 20:39-47, Luke 21:1-5, Matthew 22:34-46, Matthew 23:1-14, Micah 6:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

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

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

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

Blessed Are The Poor Widows

Contributed by Craig Condon on Aug 10, 2015

God measures giving not by what we give, but by what we keep for ourselves. He measures the gift by the sacrifice involved. That is why Jesus valued the widow’s gift. She sacrificed her well-being in order to show her love for God.

When I was preparing my message for today, I came across a story about a little boy who went to church one Sunday morning to get out of the cold. He had been trying to sell newspapers, but no one had passed by. He entered the church, hoping to pass an hour unnoticed in the back row. The minister ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Anglican