Three Pictures of Greatness
Pastor Kirk
Part of The Gospel of Mark
March 31, 2025

Introduction

This sermon from Mark 12 focuses on three depictions of greatness: God’s patience, the command to love, and the widow’s giving. The pastor challenges us to reflect on these themes by emphasizing the profound nature of God’s patience, the dual commandment of loving God and neighbor, and the heart of sacrificial giving as demonstrated by the widow.

The Greatness of Patience

  • The parable in Mark 12:1-12 illustrates
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    . Despite repeated rejection, God continually reaches out to us.



“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” —Romans 2:4

Additional Notes:

The Great Commandment

  • In Mark 12:28-34, Jesus highlights the greatest commandment: to
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    with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to
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    as ourselves.


  • Genuine worship involves not just
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    , but true love lived out towards God and others, encompassing even those who might be difficult to love.


“The true worship of God does not consist of sacrifice, but consists of loving God and loving man.”

Additional Notes:

The Widow’s Great Dependence

  • The story of the widow’s mite teaches us about
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    : the widow gave everything she had, demonstrating her complete reliance on God.


  • True giving is measured by
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    , not the amount. The widow’s two
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    were more significant than the contributions of wealthier donors.


“Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury.” —Mark 12:43


Additional Notes:

Conclusion

In summary, this sermon encourages us to appreciate God’s patience, adhere to the call to wholeheartedly love God and others, and to practice sacrificial giving that reflects true dependence on the Lord. These lessons challenge us to re-examine how we live out our faith daily.

Reflection Questions


How do you see God’s patience at work in your life, and how can this understanding affect your behavior and decisions?


How can you cultivate a love that fulfills the great commandment in your interactions with both God and others?


Reflect on your own giving. In what ways can it become more sacrificial and less about the amount, resembling the widow’s example of faith?