Sermons on The Widow:

A Chronicle Of Faith Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on May 30, 2016

This sermon explores Elijah's interactions with the widow of Zarephath, and we learn that God never abandons us, faith requires obedience, and to receive a blessing I must be a blessing. Faith was the key to Elijah's ministry.

Hebrews 11 has been called God’s “Hall of Faith.” Like the Hall of Fame in sports or other arenas of life, Hebrews 11 gives us the names and tells us, if ever so briefly, what God’s people accomplished “by faith.” We hear such profound accomplishments ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

The Parable Of The Unjust Judge & The Friend At Night: Never Give Up Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 5, 2022

The question I want you considering as we discuss the scriptures today is: Am I persistent and determined in my walk with God? Do I pray and never give up?

“In 1972, NASA launched the exploratory space probe Pioneer 10. According to Leon Jaroff in Time, the satellite's primary mission was to reach Jupiter, photograph the planet and its moons, and beam data to earth about Jupiter's magnetic field, radiation belts, and atmosphere. Pioneer 10 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Unexpected Miracle In Zarephath Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 16, 2025

God's miracles do not always come from obvious places or expected methods. In Zarephath, He used a poor widow to provide for His prophet and turned her last meal into a river of abundance.

THE UNEXPECTED MIRACLE IN ZAREPHATH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 17:8-16 Supporting Texts: Psalm 37:19; Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11:6; Philippians 4:19; Luke 4:25-26 INTRODUCTION: When the brook Cherith dried up, God redirected Elijah to a place no one would expect—Zarephath, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Do We Do When Tragedy Strikes?”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 2, 2017

This section of God's Word shows us how two people responded to a tragedy. One example comes from a widow whose son died. The other comes from one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, Elijah.

At some point it will likely happen to most of us. For each of us it will be different and yet the same. It will leave us with tears in our eyes and pain in our hearts. We call them tragedies—something that seems to turn our lives upside down. Because we live in a world stained by sin these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Extravagant Giving

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Nov 5, 2015

The stories of the two widows provide for us to understand and practice the spiritual discipline of giving. We serve a giving God, we are transformed through giving and giving brings balance and harmony in our lives.

Scripture: Mark 12:38--44; 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Hebrews 9:24-28 Subject: Giving - Extravagant Giving Proposition: The two widows stories show us how to be extravagant givers. INTRO: Greetings in the name of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ! This morning, November 8th is a special day ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Nazarene

The Art Of Asking Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 20, 2007

The parable of the unrighteous judge and persistent widow teaches us much about the need for persistence in prayer and how God moves in our lives to answer our prayer and bring about God’s will.

Luke 18:1-8 “The Art of Asking” INTRODUCTION I received an E-mail message that contained a list of questions with no clear-cut answer. • Why do doctors and lawyers call what they do practice? • Why is abbreviation such a long word? • Why is a boxing ring square? • What was the best thing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Death And New Hope Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 25, 2025

Dorcas was a beloved member of the Christian community in Joppa, she was full of good works and charitable deeds. She was a deaconess of the Church. She was a qualified widow as set forth by St Paul (1 Timothy 5:10).

Acts 9:36-42 Death and Resurrection of Dorcas   Greetings: The Lord is good; and His love Endures Forever!   Joppa: Joppa was a seaport town situated on the Mediterranean, in the tribe of Dan, about 30 miles south of Caesarea, and 45 northwest of Jerusalem. A seaport of Palestine. It ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:36-42

Denomination: Methodist

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fields Of The Fatherless

Contributed by Tom Davis on Oct 1, 2007

Ministry to the poor, the orphan, and the widow is about joining the work of God in his favorite field. Meaning and satisfaction in life don’t come from striving, it comes from loving. The gospel message is a message of love. Loving God means loving peop

Something is Missing God is passionate about orphans The scriptures speak of a God who cares for the alien, orphan, and widow. When you look, these passages (like Psalm 68:5 and James 1:27) come jumping off the page. God speaks about orphans and widows as a unique and special group of people. ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tears That Touched Jesus’ Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 15, 2012

Jesus only raised 3 people (that I know of) from the dead. Why didn’t He raise everybody out of the grave? Why just people like this only son of the widow of Nain?

OPEN: One of my favorite radio preachers is a man named Tony Evans. I remember listening to him use an illustration about standing in a cafeteria line – and he made it sound intriguing and almost exciting. What I want to share with you this morning (copying as best I can Evans’ distinctive way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Pattern For Giving

Contributed by Joel Santos on Jun 21, 2006

Does your giving really cost you? How much is left behind? Are you giving out from the heart? Are you demonstrating a trust in God? Are you giving generously as the widow who gave just two lepta?

A Pattern For Giving Mark 12:41-44 The roof of the church hall of a little Swiss church, at the turn of the 20th century, was falling down. So the members of the church held regular prayer meetings in the hall after the service to pray for funds to repair the roof. There was an old man, known to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pray And Believe! Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Sep 7, 2007

Based on the Parable of the Persistent widow, this sermon encourages people to pray and pray and pray again. We preached these sermons in conjunction with the Pray 21 project that brings youth and adults together to pray for 21 days.

BELIEVE AND PRAY! Believe and pray! This may sound backwards. Should we not pray believing that God will answer our prayers? Yes, but this simple little exercise of semantics puts the foundation of faith before the act of prayer. Many of us pray but few of us believe that our prayers will be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Mennonite

Pray Without Ceasing

Contributed by Craig Condon on Oct 7, 2015

Luke included the Parable of the Unjust Judge to encourage the people. The parable is about waiting and not losing hope, heart or faith. If we pray earnestly, faithfully and regularly, Jesus will find faith when he does return.

Have you ever wanted something so much that you kept asking for it time and time again until you finally got what you wanted? If so, you can understand how the widow in the Parable of the Unjust Judge felt. She kept going to the judge until he finally decided to hear her case. In Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Do Not Weep - Jesus Overcomes The Weeping Of This World

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Sep 19, 2009

Sermon Preview: St. Luke portrays the successive healing stories of the Centurion and now the Widow to demonstrate His authority over the suffering and the Weeping of this world. In our sermon time today we will better understand how to overcome our we

“DO NOT WEEP” “finding hope in our suffering” Luke 7:11-17 Fr. Christopher M. Nerreau Illustration: Yesterday I went to the hospital to bless Mark and Tara’s new baby girl. While I was there walking around in the halls I heard several babies crying. God spoke to me in that moment and I realized ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Orthodox

When God Turns On The Light

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Oct 14, 2025

Elijah’s encounter with the widow of Zarephath shows how God uses seasons of loss and exposure to bring healing and faith. When God turns on the light, it isn’t to shame us, but to lead us to confession, forgiveness, and life.

When God Turns on the Light GM. Elijah may almost seem like a superhero when you read through some of the events in his life: He’s the prophet who calls down fire from heaven a number of times, most famously in the Battle on Mt Carmel with the Prophets of Baal. At the end of his life, he ascends ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24

Denomination: Anglican