Sermons on Widow At Zarephath:

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

"Do Not Despise The Day Of Small Beginnings.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 29, 2024

This timely message encourages believers to embrace their unique callings, regardless of how small or unnoticed they may appear. It reassures them that every prayer offered and every act of kindness extended contributes to a greater cause when aligned with God's purpose and will.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENECES (Zechariah 4:10) "For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice and and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:10, Luke 21:1-4, Mark 12:41-44, John 6:5-9, John 6:10-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Doers, Not Hearers Only.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 3, 2024

Practical implications of our new birth.

DOERS, NOT HEARERS ONLY. James 1:22-27. We must be careful that we are “doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves” (James 1:22). Having heard and received, we must then put the word into action in our lives. Good works do not make us Christians, but Christians will do good ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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 Elect Are Not Deceived

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 27, 2023

Jesus taught us to pray for free and not all is real that you see. James says why we do not receive.

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Timothy 6:3-8, Mark 12:38-40, James 4:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Out Of Debtor's Prison

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 15, 2002

A biblical widow listened to the advice of Elisha to get out of debt. The techniques that she used can get us out of debt too.

March 18, 2001 2 Kings 4:1-7 “Breaking out of debtor’s prison” INTRODUCTION In the American religion of materialism, there are two words more sacred than any other: "Charge it!" Yet, consider the following two scenarios in evaluating the intelligence of using plastic: 1. Ellin is 30 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

What Did Jesus Do About Money? Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Feb 21, 2009

Jesus drew attention to the faith, trust and sacrificial giving of a poor widow who gave all she had to support the temple ministry.

I stand before you as a former Bank Manager, well aware that some types of ‘Banker’ are not especially popular at the moment; but I think it is the banker in me calculating that in the last 7 years I have probably preached less than 1% of my sermons on the subject of money. A very poor return - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Anglican

A Dead End Short Cut Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 20, 2018

Elimelech takes a spiritual short-cut that ultimately leads to Naomi becoming a widow in a foreign land. Short cuts never work out.

Message Ruth 1:1-5 “A Dead-End Short Cut”. We have all done it haven’t we. You’re driving to a specific destination and someone says, “I know a shortcut!” Do you really? Often your first instinct is to stick with what you know, stay on the regular path. But sometimes you think, “Why not?” Why ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Revivalist-In-Training

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jul 4, 2023

What Jesus did in the gospels should be seen in the Church today, but it's not. A revivalist is a person who restores what is unused. But it starts with recognizing where we are in our walk with Jesus.

Good evening. My name is Barry, and I am a revivalist-in-training. Now, let me explain what I mean. Webster’s dictionary gives two basic meanings for the word revival and the one that, in my view, reflects what I believe the Bible teaches is “restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10, 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, John 16:13, 1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 17:5, 1 Kings 17:10, 1 Kings 17:14-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rut, Rot, Or Revival

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on Jul 7, 2003

Like the widow woman 2kgs 4, many people find themselves in a rut, which can lead to rot, unless they undergo a revival.

Text: 2 Kings 4: 1-7 1A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” 2So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Prepared To Go?

Contributed by Ron Whyte on Feb 10, 2006

Evangelistic funeral message requested by the widow of a lovely Christian man to reach out to unsaved members of the family. Based on John 11:25-26

Rev. Ron C. Whyte Rothiemurchus and Aviemore Church of Scotland Aviemore Funeral message 3.02.06 Reading :- John 11:17-44 Patty (my wife) and I hope to go to Turkey this year, but the things is our going and getting there isn’t based on hope alone, there is a certain amount of preparation ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Beware Of The Scribes Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 30, 2016

Jesus' disapproval of the scribes and approval of the poor widow in Luke 20:45-21:4 warns us about the despotic authority of religious leadership.

Scripture Jesus was in the final week of his life. After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus returned to the temple on Monday and drove out the merchants who were selling their wares and obscuring the people’s access to God. This enraged the religious rulers, who then ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Naomi The Reformer Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 25, 2024

Naomi a poor widow in a foreign land, bounces back with new life through strong determination and courage. She became a wise and righteous woman.

Theme: Naomi – Reformer Text: Ruth 1:16-23   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.   Introduction: The book of Ruth revolves around three personalities namely, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. The aim of this book is to connect the birth messiah back to David and further back to ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-20

Denomination: Methodist

Judith Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 28, 2022

The story revolves around Judith; a daring and beautiful widow upset with her Jewish compatriots for not trusting God to deliver them from their Seleucid monarchs.

The Book of Judith is a deuterocanonical[a] book, included in the Septuagint and the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christian Old Testament of the Bible but excluded from the Hebrew canon and assigned by Protestants to the Apocrypha. It tells of a Jewish widow, Judith, who uses her beauty and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 21:14

Denomination: Baptist