Sermons on Hawk:

5 Benefits Of The Bethany Church Family

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 19, 2002

If somebody asked you, “Why are you a part of the church family? Why do you participate in church services?” what would you say? What would you tell them?

Last week I told you that on a typical Sunday morning, all over America, more than 100 million Americans will go to church. But most of those people have never clarified, Why? They’ve never figured out, Why do I do this? Some people go to church out of guilt. Some people go out of pressure. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Peter 1:3

Denomination: Methodist

Who Is Jesus? -- A Palm Sunday Lesson

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 20, 2002

Biblical claims about Jesus are presented to refute popular myths about JESUS.

(Power point and outline available) Begin message by inviting children to platform: Have on hand a bucket full of rocks and stones. Read scripture passage and direct children to spread palms and join in the shouting of the crowds in v. 38. After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Denomination: Methodist

A Model For A Memorial Or Funeral Message

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 16, 2002

This is a generic model for a funeral message for someone who died after struggling with an illness, using the autobiography of Morrie Schwartz who died of ALS to craft the message.

MESSAGE FOR A MEMORIAL OR FUNERAL SERVICE ___________________________ I’ve been in a funk for a couple of weeks now. But I think I’m coming out of it now. Strange that I could say that on the occasion for which we have come together here. It all started a couple of weeks ago as I anticipated ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8, Philippians 1:20-21

Denomination: Methodist

What Is God's Plan For My Finances? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 25, 2003

First in a series on Getting a Grip on My Finances looks at the meaning of stewardship.

(Powerpoint slides available) SLIDE 1 [Opening Activity Begin The following items are needed: 1. An empty, old bottle 2. A large key made of cardboard and spray painted gold. The key will have the verses of Matthew 6:19-21 printed and attached to one side. "Don’t store up treasures here on earth, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-31, Romans 14:12

Denomination: Methodist

How To Avoid A Financial Crash Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 25, 2003

Part 2 of series Getting a grip on my Finances focuses on how to avoid a financial crash.

(powerpoint available) SLIDE 1 SLIDE 2 A recent poll revealed that only 26% of the people surveyed are satisfied with their finances. That means 74% of the people are not satisfied with their finances. It seems that no matter how much you make it’s never enough. Gallup released a poll recently ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10, Luke 16:11

Denomination: Methodist

Warning Signs That I Am Entering The Debt Zone Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 25, 2003

Part 3 of the series Getting a Grip on My Finances focuses on warning signs over overextending one’s finances.

(Power point available) SLIDE 1 A recent government report with a boatload of statistics reveals people owe for a lot of big things other than houses. These debts all need to be repaid, and meanwhile finance companies are pulling in a lot of interest payments from the loans, which total well over ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:27-28, Malachi 3:8

Denomination: Methodist

Touch And Remember--An Easter Lesson

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 30, 2002

It has been said that we should forget our mistakes, but remember the lessons they taught us. The women at the tomb learned this simple truth that first Easter morning.

(Graphic Slides are available to accompany the Biblical stories in this message from Lumicon Digital Production: Lumicon.org) A reading from the good news of Jesus Christ according to Luke from the Message translation: At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8, Luke 24:34

Denomination: Methodist

Touch And Remember--An Easter Lesson Outline

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 30, 2002

This outline is for the congregation to follow to accompany the full text of the message by the same title.

TOUCH AND REMEMBER The 2002 Easter Lesson Pastor Don Hawks Bethany Church (All Bible readings from The Message Translation unless indicated) Luke 24:1-8: At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Doing The Miraculous With God—potential Results From The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 4, 2002

What would it take to step over the boundary of my comfort zone to respond to the destiny That God has planned for me?

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10 1. AN ANCIENT “JABEZ” ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

What Is The Purpose Of My Worship? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 10, 2002

A message about the purpose of worship. Do you ever wonder why you come to church and do this thing called worship week after week?

John 4:4-30 4He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7Soon a Samaritan ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-30, Matthew 4:10

Denomination: Methodist

Having The Children Of Your Dreams

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 19, 2002

A father’s Day Sermon -- How to be a blessing to your children in order that they may be a blessing to you. Based on Smalley and Trent’s book--The Gift of the Blessing

Having The Children Of Your Dreams A Fathers’ Day Lesson Pastor Don Hawks (Based on a sermon by Joel Smith on Sermon Central.com--How to Have the Children of Your Dreams) June 16, 2002 Bethany Church THE STORY IS TOLD OF A FATHER OF 5 WHO CAME HOME WITH A TOY, HE SUMMONED HIS CHILDREN AND ASKED ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:26-29, Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Methodist

Why We Share Communion

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 2, 2002

Message discusses what this practice is about and who is invited to the Lord’s Table, particularly from a Weslyean perspective.

(Thanks to Bob Hostetler for ideas for this message. I’ve added a Methodist twist to the message. Powerpoint and audience outline available). A little girl asked her mother, “Mommy, why do you cut the ends off the meat before you cook it?” The girl’s mother told her that she thought it added ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, 1 Corinthians 11:1-52

Denomination: Methodist

The Way Of The Cross

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 17, 2008

A Confirmation sermon for Palm/Passion Sunday

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES The Way of the Cross Matthew 26:36-46 (Jesus): “I am deeply grieved, even to death… My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Vv. 38 -39 "This sorrow is crushing my life out... My Father, if there is any way, get me ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Methodist

E.a.s.t.e.r.--What Does It Mean For Me?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 23, 2008

What difference could it make in your life if every day you knew, without a doubt, that you were a part of something that is much bigger than yourself? What could Easter mean for you this year?

E.A.S.T.E.R. What does it mean? What could it mean for you this year? A Sunday School teacher asked her class to write one sentence each on "What Easter Means to Me." One pupil wrote: "Egg salad sandwiches for the next two weeks!" The first words of Jesus Christ were, “Did you not know that I ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

Speaking Of The Devil

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 20, 2008

The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one. (Matthew 13:37-38)

Speaking of the devil ... There was a young seminarian who was taking an oral examination for his ordination process. During the questioning, one of the examiners asked him if he believed in a personal devil. "No," he replied, "I do not believe in the devil." Hearing this, the examiners began ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Methodist