Sermons on San Marcos 12:38:

It's Really Me, Really

Contributed by Roy Probus on May 17, 2008

We must first love ourselves before we can love others. Looking at our friends should help us define who we are but not at the expense of ourselves.

Nornan, what a mess. Jim burns tells a story of a friend of his named Norman. Some of you know someone like him. Norman was the type of person to change fads and friends very quickly. During his high school years, Norman was a: i. Surfer ii. Punk rocker iii. Football team manager iv. Cross ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:21-39

Denomination: United Methodist

The Power Of Contrast Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2016

There is nothing like a contrast to make the point; Jesus used the idea of contrast to highlight Who He is, and to distinguish external religion from true devotion.

The Power of Contrast (Mark 12:35-44) 1. Illustration … a few years ago,. Trying to tell someone about the Windfarm on I-65 in NW Indiana. This person had never seen the big windmills, and was thinking of a place with 3 tiny windmills on US 31.. or the types farmers use to pump water in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus’ Last Sermon Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 21, 2018

This was our Lords last public message. It is a scathing denunciation of false religion that paraded itself under the guise of truth. Some of the common people no doubt were shocked at his words, for they considered the Pharisees righteous.

-Tuesday- Jerusalem Jesus’ Last Sermon Matthew 23:1-39 (focal passage), Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-4 Matthew 23:1-39 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: Baptist

Confronting The Skeptics Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 4, 2018

Having dealt with many questions, and silencing His accusers, Jesus did not remain silent. He seized the opportunity to ask some questions regarding their view of Him.

Confronting the Skeptics Mark 12: 35-40 Our text today immediately follows the question Jesus was asked by one of the scribes regarding the Greatest Commandment. Having pleased this particular scribe with His answer, the remainder of those present were reluctant to challenge Jesus any further. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of Pride And Hypocrisy

Contributed by David Mende on Jul 20, 2018

The scribes were guilty of pride and hypocrisy. And there is a 'scribe' within us. We must avoid the sins of pride and hypocrisy and pursue humility and integrity. I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.

INTRODUCTION (SECURE ATTENTION) & BACKGROUND OF THE PASSAGE: PRAY before starting the sermon. ILLUSTRATION: {Few of you might recognize this man on the screen. This is Jim Jones, a self-proclaimed prophet who led a cultic church known as the Peoples Temple. He faced several allegations, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45, Luke 14:7-11, Matthew 23:8-12, Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God