Sermons on Mary And Martha:

"Did His Feet Smell That Bad?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 16, 2010

John 12 brings us a perplexing situation. Is Jesus giving the green light to personal jets for evangelists who preach the prosperity gospel? Or is there another point altogether?

John 12:1-8 “Did His Feet Smell that Bad?” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN I must admit, this can be a very perplexing passage of Scripture. Wouldn’t it just be easier to ignore it? Of course, if we ignore it… …we loose the incredible insight ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

A Party Pooper At The Party For Jesus Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Oct 20, 2021

This message deals with a dinner party held in honour of Jesus shortly before his death. Both the host of the party, Simon the Leper, and also Judas were not gracious about some of what went on.

A PARTY-POOPER AT A PARTY FOR JESUS John 12:1-11 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ August 08, 2021https: //youtu.be/RI7FzZ51_Ng INTRODUCTION: 1.) Have you ever been all excited about an upcoming party, and really looking forward to it? 2.) What if when you got to the party it wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11, Exodus 19:10-11, Numbers 9:10, John 11:57, Luke 10:40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Selective Hearing

Contributed by Robert Rust on Mar 30, 2001

Mary anoints Jesus at Bethany.

The Shortest Sermon I’ve Ever Preached John 12:1-8 April 1, 2000 I am sure many of you were relieved when you saw my sermon title this morning, The Shortest Sermon I’ve Ever Preached. I even heard someone say, “Boy ! Are we in for a treat today ! We’re about to hear the shortest sermon he’s ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"love Has Its Reasons"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 5, 2019

A sermon about worshiping God with all we have.

“Love Has its Reasons” John 12:1-8 Our Gospel Lesson for this morning is really a continuation of John Chapter 11. If you didn’t read John Chapter 11 this past week—if you didn’t see the email I sent out-- I encourage you, when you go home today or sometime in the next few days, to read ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

But One Thing Is Needful

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 11, 2012

Find out; what is the one thing that we need. Mary found out and we can to because it is in the Bible, and it's the subject of today's message.

But One Thing is Needful Luke 10:38-42 Out text is from Luke 10:38-42, and I want to read it first from the Living Bible, because there it is easier to follow and understand. 38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem they came to a village where a woman named Martha ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:37-50

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus - You're Too Late!

Contributed by Jim Mazzulla on Apr 6, 2004

Here’s the situation Mary and Martha call on Jesus to come pray (heal) their sick brother Lazarus and Jesus says. “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby”. Then Jesus delays his coming to

This is not my typical writing style but I believe the Lord gave me this spiritual meaning to let many of you know that if God has spoken life to you regarding something, then know that it is not over no matter how bad, or impossible the situation looks. Let this devotion minister to you and ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-39, Hebrews 11:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Mary Cared Enough To Give Her Very Best

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 21, 2020

Ever heard the phrase, "no good deed ever goes unpunished"? Mary of Bethany may have felt that way when she showed Jesus how much she loved Him.

Based on a sermon preached at Carrington Baptist Church, Fulton, MO 3-08-2015. (This is not an exact transcription.} Background Many events took place during the last several days before Jesus died on Calvary. He had left the area some time before, according to John chapter 11, and had stayed ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Tale Of Two Sisters

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 14, 2006

Martha and Mary were sisters. They were both close friends of Jesus but they interacted with him, served him and worship him in different ways.

A Tale of Two Sisters Luke 10:38-42 Introduction: Tonight we want to look at two women who were prominent in the life of Jesus: Two sisters named Martha and Mary. They are mentioned in three separate incidents during Jesus’ ministry. 1. When he visited their home in Bethany (Luke 10:38-41), ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Make The Most Of Our Visits With God

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 21, 2025

Abraham and Sarah, and Martha and Mary received the one thing they needed—God’s presence in their lives through his Word. Let’s ask God the Holy Spirit to do the same thing for us today and every day.

God came to visit them. In two of our Scripture readings for this Sunday two pairs of believers hosted God in their homes (well, to be exact one was a tent). Abraham and Sarah welcomed the LORD God who took on a human body to be able to visit them on a personal level. They heard God’s promises ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Preparing For Christ

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Apr 22, 2012

When we build our lives upon the only foundation that can be laid, Jesus Christ, rather than on our own designs, we will find true and lasting life that will not be taken away from us.

Who’s got children, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews? Well, then you know that every child is different, and what pleases one doesn’t please another. My sister’s older boy, ****, is very cautious and hates to get pushed high on the swings. His brother, ****, is fearless and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Anglican

Lazarus (John 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 2, 2025

What happened surrounding the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection? Let's look at John 11.

What happened to Lazarus? Why did Jesus weep? Why did religious leaders plot? Let’s look at John 11. Why did Jesus return to a village where He could be in danger? Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

6th Sunday After Pentecost. July 20th, 2025. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 11, 2022

Year C, Proper 11.

Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Genesis 18:1-10, Psalm 15, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 A). A BASKET OF RIPE SUMMER FRUIT. Amos 8:1-12. This vision and its interpretation is based in a pun: the Hebrew word for “Summer fruit” sounds almost identical with the word translated “the end” (Amos ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:1-12, Genesis 18:1-10, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"I Don't Know How To Love Him"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 14, 2018

A sermon about learning how to express our love for Jesus.

“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” John 11:55-12:11 In Jesus Christ Superstar Mary Magdalene sings the following: “I don’t know how to love him What to do, how to move him I’ve been changed, yes, really changed In these past few days when I’ve seen myself I seem like someone else.” In our Gospel ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

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

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