Sermons on Mary Martha Lazarus:

God Has Something Better

Contributed by Marie Tombow on Feb 2, 2009

Abraham was willing to give God that which was the object of his love … He’s asking you to do the same ….. offer Him the object of your love….

GOD HAS SOMETHING BETTER…. TEXT: GENESIS 22:1-18 A SMALL BOY, CLUTCHING A WELL-WORN TEDDY BEAR DAD HAD BROUGHT HIM A BETTER GIFT ME, CAUGHT UP IN MY WELL-WORN LIFESTYLE OFFERED TO GIVE IT UP ON THE CONDITION …. I. Listen to His Call V.1 God spoke to Abraham. He called him by name and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gentle Servant

Contributed by Marie Tombow on Feb 2, 2009

As the Gentle Servant with God’s stamp of approval, Jesus works quietly, gently and victoriously; yet He impacts the entire world.

Isaiah 42:1-4 Intro: God owns Him: v.1 1. As one employed by Him He is my servant a. He learned obedience to the Will of God. b. He practiced it. c. He laid Himself out to advance the interests of God’s Kingdom. 2. As one chosen by Him He is mine elect (KJV) a. He did not thrust ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

One Is Bigger Than Many Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 7, 2009

Idea: THE ONLY WAY TO REACH GOD’S GOAL IS TO REACH IT TOGETHER

[INTRODUCTION] The Olympic contestants line up in the starting blocks for the hundred-meter dash. Anticipation has the crowd suspended on the edge of their seats. The starter raises his gun and fires. The athletes spring out of the starting blocks. As they do, it becomes obvious this is no ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Descending Into Greatness Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 7, 2009

Jesus example of humility

Introduction What does it take to be a success? When Benito Mussolini, the fascist dictator of Italy for over 20 years, was asked that question by a New York journalist, his reply was, “Above all, keep your heart a desert!” According to Mussolini, having a heart which cared for no one was the key ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In The Waiting Room

Contributed by Marie Harvin on Sep 14, 2006

This sermon tells us that while we are here on earth we are in God’s waiting room and we should make our time useful and joyful.

If you ever had an appointment with a doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc, you have notice when you arrive at their office, usually the first thing the receptionist say is, have a seat. We will be with you soon. The offering of a seat is an invitation to rest while you are waiting. While you are waiting ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Methodist

The Superficial Thanksgiving

Contributed by Marie Harvin on Oct 9, 2006

This sermon is about examining ourselves when we celebrate Thanksgiving this year. For many this day will be a time of praise, for others a time for pretext, for some a spiritual time and for others a superficial time.

Introduction: Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States and Canada. It is a day set aside to give thanks for the blessings of the year. Thanksgiving Day is usually observed with religious services and with families celebrations. A large dinner featuring turkey, cranberries and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Methodist

Handing Over The Keys

Contributed by Mari Larson on Sep 7, 2014

The authority to forgive (The Office of the Keys) has been given to us, but we don't use it.

Church life on the prairies of the Midwest is often quite different from church life here (in Arizona). Small congregations of Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, and German origins are slowly dying out, and since we no longer preach in the languages of our mother-lands (Thank God!), and because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Are All Sparrows Equal?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 15, 2014

Bad things do happen to good people. In Matthew 10, Jesus warns the disciples what will happen to them on their mission and then he reminds them that they were, are, and will be precious to God!

It is clearly in our nature to rate and rank others. When Jesus tells us today that we are of more value than sparrows, we’re probably not surprised, but we may wonder about the hierarchy of creation. We’re worth more than sparrows, and sparrows are certainly worth more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

The Meal, The Message, And The Miracle

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 28, 2014

The Feeding of the 5,000 is a great miracle story, but it wasn't the only miracle that happened that day.

The Meal, the Message, and the Miracle Proper 13A – Matthew 14:13-21 -- August 3, 2014 Food! Be it blessed or tempting, it is filled with meaning that may not have anything to do with the food itself. Kringla, with its subtle hint of nutmeg, reminds me of grandma, who not only made these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Good Things Happen On The Sabbath

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 3, 2018

While we can agree with Jesus that "the sabbath is made for humankind and not humankind for the sabbath," we are wrong to disregard it.

In 1986, the good people of Bismarck, North Dakota, thought it was time to overturn or at least soften the blue laws which closed businesses on Sundays. Amid great controversy, Dayton’s Department Store, Target, and many stores and restaurants were to open at noon. Dayton’s and Target were both ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Lutheran

A Little Faith And A Breath

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 3, 2018

With A Little Faith and A Breath, God Reaches Everyone (This was preached the weekend after the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas -- that is mentioned near the end of the sermon)

Dear friends in Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Creator, Jesus our Savior, and from the Unpredictable and Unquenchable Holy Spirit whose presence we celebrate this day. Amen Imagine yourself in the time of Ezekiel. It is about 600 BC. Nebuchadnezzar was about to destroy what ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Radical Hospitality

Contributed by Mari Larson on Feb 19, 2017

Launching from Jesus' call to love our enemies and be perfect, this sermon speaks of love and welcoming.

In 1979, Tim Hansel published a book entitled "When I Relax I feel Guilty". Included in the book is this raw and provocative tidbit. "I would like to buy three dollars’ worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Lutheran

More Than A Slogan

Contributed by Mari Larson on Feb 19, 2017

We all know Micah 6:8, but there's a lot more to the message than just a T-shirt slogan.

In the marathon subculture, T-shirts are everything. As a runner, you become a billboard for 26 miles, or 13, or 6, or in my case 3 miles. When I participated in my first 5K, I had to wear the shirt provided by my gym (since they paid the registration fee), but most of the time, each runner ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Happily Ever After?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Oct 4, 2015

In a society where half of marriages end in divorce, what do Jesus' words mean for us? And what's heaven going to look like when most have been married multiple times?

A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked, "Ma'am, what are the grounds for your divorce?" She replied, "About four acres with a nice house in the middle." "No," he said, "I mean what is the foundation of this case?" "Concrete, brick and mortar," she ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16, Mark 12:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Spirit-Filled

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 25, 2015

An invitation to be Spirit-filled rather than just Spirit-marked.

A barber in a small town was busy cutting hair one day when the local law enforcement officer walked in to get a haircut. And the barber was feeling a bit generous that day, so he said to the cop, "Since you do such a good job protecting us, and watching over us, today’s haircut is free." ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran