Sermons on Martha:

This One Thing I Do Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Mar 8, 2006

The stories of the Rich Young Ruler and of Mary and Martha show that Christians need the discipline of denying self, learning of Christ and following HIm in order to find peace.

THIS One Thing I DO Philippians 3__13 If a person is even remotely interested in the world around him, has an occupation and a family, his responsibilities and interests quickly out grow his ability to accomplish all that need be done or that he would like to do. Only a few people can do more ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-23

Denomination: Anglican

Devoted Or Distracted?

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 17, 2016

Sometimes we get so busy for the Lord that we lose what is most important: that quiet time before the Lord. Mary and Martha show us a contrast in devotion and distraction, and challenge us to keep Christ first.

Luke 10:38-42 Devoted or Distracted? My internet went out Friday, so I went through all the troubleshooting. And then it asked me, “Do you want me to reboot the router?” And I hit the “yes” button. By all means, reboot the router, if that will reconnect me with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

Afflicted By Affluence

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jul 31, 2007

If we put Jesus first, then others, and then ourselves, we will be able to spend time at his feet, learning his Word in our lives. Otherwise, we become like Martha in today’s Gospel passage: busy, but not blessed.

Other Scriptural passages: Genesis 18:1-10a(10b-14) Colossians 1:21-29 Psalm 15 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. (Psalm 19:14) Two years ago, on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Loving Jesus First

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 10, 2022

Martha was working in the kitchen to earn Jesus’ approval, while Mary was sitting in the living room listening to Him teach. But Jesus had no problem with Mary. Why? Because our love of Him must come before our service.

The living room intimacy Mary enjoyed with Jesus will never come out of the busyness of Martha’s kitchen. Busyness . . . breeds distraction. - Joanna Weaver(1) One time a counterfeit bill made it into circulation and no one knew it was fake for quite some time. It was spent hundreds of times on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

You Will See, If You Believe

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Feb 25, 2025

Mary and Martha told Jesus it's over, it's too late for Lazarus. But Jesus basically said, it's never too late if you can believe.

John 11:1-6 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) [3] Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:22-23, John 11:40

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The Holiday Season Stress Factor”

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Nov 19, 2001

Martha is a classic example of how we undertake projects for God with good intentions and blow them all out of proportion. Sometimes the things we set out to honor God with we end up dishonoring God with.

“The Holiday Season Stress Factor” Luke 10:38-42 Intro: I was reading this past week an article titled, "Christmas Pressures." In it they gave these statistics. · 80% of the families interviewed (80 families in all) experienced stress at Christmas. · 83% of those interviewed experienced ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Attitude Counts

Contributed by Bruce Hadley on Mar 17, 2021

Many of us concern ourselves with the outward approach to sin, but are attitudes have not changed. Well, attitude counts tremendously in our walk with the Lord.

The other day, I was in the grocery store, and I noticed a lot of gloomy faces. I began thinking about my mother, who a year ago lost my father, her husband of over 60 years, and she seemingly has been in a funk ever since. I have tried cheering her up, but her mood stays the same. Now, I know ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7, Ephesians 4:23, Nehemiah 8:10, Matthew 18:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Choosing The Good Portion

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Jul 19, 2007

A slightly different twist on the familiar story of Mary and Martha. Using an analogy of Kentucky Fried Chicken, how do we act when life treats us to chicken wings? Have faith in God because He is bigger than our problems.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, when was the last time you brought home a family-size bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken? I imagine more people will be buying those again since KFC announced they no longer use partially hydrogenated fats for frying. What portion do you usually choose from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Lutheran

Four Days Late And Still On Time

Contributed by James May on Apr 2, 2003

Jesus was four days late in reaching Lazarus’ tomb in order to prevent death but he was on time to bring his resurrection power and answer the prayer of Mary and Martha.

FOUR DAYS LATE AND STILL ON TIME John 11:39-40, "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest ...read more

Scripture: John 11:39-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Listen To Me! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 17, 2009

Samuel was to replace Eli as God’s priest because Eli wasn’t listening to God anymore. God is looking for people who’ll listen to Him... how can we make sure we are those kinds of listeners?

OPEN: A businessman who needed several million dollars to clinch an important deal and sensing the need for divine help, he went to church to pray for money. By chance, he knelt next to a man who was praying for $100 to pay an urgent debt. The businessman took out his wallet and pressed $100 ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lessons Learned At The Feet Of Jesus

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Apr 19, 2008

HERE WE HAVE A CONTRAST BETWEEN TWO SISTERS, MARTHA AND MARY. WE KNOW IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR TWO SISTERS TO DISAGREE, OR HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS OF WAYS TO DO THINGS; ESPECIALLY IF ONE IS DOING ALL THE WORK. ORDINARILY, WE WOULD DEFEND THE ONE WHO IS SADDLED

LESSONS LEARNED AT THE FEET OF JESUS LUKE 10: 38--42 INTRODUCTION: HERE WE HAVE A CONTRAST BETWEEN TWO SISTERS, MARTHA AND MARY. WE KNOW IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR TWO SISTERS TO DISAGREE, OR HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS OF WAYS TO DO THINGS; ESPECIALLY IF ONE IS DOING ALL THE ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

I Was Dead But Now I'm Alive Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 16, 2025

Can you imagine Mary and Martha pacing the floor, waiting for Jesus? They were at the deathbed of their beloved brother. Can’t you see Lazarus struggling to breathe? The whole time, they’re looking out the window expecting to see Jesus arrive.

What if I told you that surveys suggest that nearly three-quarters of doctors in the United States believe in miracles? And what if I told you that over half of the physicians surveyed noted that they had witnessed what they considered to be miracles?1 Find John 11 with me, if you will. Ed ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

A Living Witness

Contributed by Larry Grant on Oct 1, 2023

Martha – Still serving, but now with a spirit of worship! Mary – Still at His feet, but now she is also working! Lazarus – Still with his family, but now alive and well!

John 12:1-11 (NKJV) A LIVING WITNESS October 1, 2023 The Family (v.2 but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table) Martha – Still serving, but now with a spirit of worship! Mary – Still at His feet, but now she is also working! Lazarus – Still with his family, but now alive and sitting at ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Three Tokens Of Love For Christ

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Feb 3, 2011

Six days before Jesus offer His life on the cross, three people among his friends gave three tokens of love to Jesus. Martha offered the token of Service, Mary the token of worship and Lazarus the token of Testimony for Christ.

THREE TOKENS OF LOVE FOR CHRIST John 12:1-11 A week before Jesus Crucifixion is saga of popularity to rejection, of friendship and betrayal, of love and hate. On that same week, Jesus is about to face the peak of His mission. He will be offered as a sacrificial lamb. He will bear the sins of the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Resurrection Foundations

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 4, 2017

Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." This is the foundation of the Christian faith and is full of hope for the future whateve

Resurrection foundations (John 11:17-44) The whole meaning of Easter is summed up in what Jesus said to Martha: I am ‘the resurrection and the life’ and because He is who He is, we pray that He will so raise us, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness’ When Jesus said that He was the ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44, Romans 8:10-11, Job 19:25-27, Romans 8:35-39