Sermons on Hawk:

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 We Believe About Baptism Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 21, 2004

Baptism is the symbol for our initiation into the Christian faith and church life.

Romans 6:3-6 (NRSV) SLIDE 1 (3) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:3-6

Denomination: Methodist

I Am A Person Of Power!

Contributed by Don Hawks on Aug 6, 2007

HOW YOU AND I CAN WORK WITH THE HELP OF GOD’S SPIRIT IN BELIEVING OURSELVES TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN WE HAVE THOUGHT IN OUR PAST.

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES—Pastor Don Hawks Bridgewater UMC—August 12, 2007 I AM A PERSON OF POWER! Exodus 3:1-6 ANSWERS: TO REALIZE THAT I AM A PERSON OF POWER, I NEED TO ACCEPT MY GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL. GOD’S SPIRIT WOULD HAVE ME SAY TO MYSELF: (With the Power and help of God’s Spirit) 1-- I am ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Getting A Faith Lift

Contributed by Don Hawks on Aug 14, 2007

No matter what you face if you allow God’s Spirit to work within you, it will ultimately come out all right--God wants to share his divine grace with everyone

One thing I have learned and still am learning is this: An uplifting faith in God will take care of you no matter what you face or what a loved one faces. When you don’t think you have any strength left, if you put your prayers to work for you, if you allow God’s Spirit to work within you, it will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Methodist

Lessons From Humpty Dumpty

Contributed by Don Hawks on Aug 14, 2007

If some area of your life is falling apart, and you need help, you why waste time and energy calling on the king’s horses and the king’s men? Think first–of the King call on the ultimate help and power – call on God. God will put you back together again

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES Bridgewater United Methodist Church Lessons from Humpty Dumpty Pastor Don Hawks 1 Peter 2:1-5, 21-25 This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. (v. 21) "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Methodist

David And Goliath Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 22, 2007

With God’s help it is possible to take on all the giants of life that I face.

(Answers to Blanks at end of outline) INTRODUCTION: • The story of David and Goliath illustrates how to take on the giants in your life. • These favorite Bible stories we have been reading and discussing are more than just children’s stories; they have powerful messages for all of us in our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-51

Denomination: Methodist

Jonah And The Whale Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 22, 2007

Despite his tendency to do all those human things—to run away, to try to avoid responsibility—eventually he gets a new life.

Read Jonah 1:1-17; 2:1, 9-10 from "The Message" God says GO! Jonah says NO! God sends a storm to remind Jonah who is in charge. Jonah is thrown overboard by the others on the ship. Jonah makes the choice to keep trying to run from God. And you know what happens when Jonah is thrown ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Steps To Living Life At Its Fullest Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 22, 2007

DOES GOD DESIRE THAT I HAVE AN ABUNDANT LIFE, THAT I LIVE LIFE AT ITS FULLEST?

Sermon Outline and Notes Bridgewater United Methodist Church October 15, 2006 John 10:9-11 …. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” DOES GOD DESIRE THAT I HAVE AN ABUNDANT LIFE, THAT I LIVE LIFE AT ITS ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Heart Of A Servant Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 12, 2007

Service is a critical tie that binds us to one another in love, and is one of the most vital ways that we can nurture greatness in both ourselves and our community. So how do we go about serving in the loving way that Jesus encouraged?

When you think about serving others—why do you do it? Because I have to is the common response. What if I told you today that you could serve because you want to not because you have to? Serving from the heart is the theme of the study that we are looking at during Sunday School for the next few ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Methodist

Service With A Smile Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 22, 2007

Service with a smile—it makes a difference not only in the person who is served but also in the one who serves.

When you go to a restaurant to eat does it make a difference to you if the server offers a smile or not? I think most of us respond better to service with a smile. One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Johnny was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28

Denomination: Methodist

Put God To The Test Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 30, 2007

The ist in a series of sermons on guidelines to living a more abundant life that God wants us to live. Put God to the test by tithing and observing the benefits of the practice.

Today I am talking about a subject that people don’t like to hear about—I’ll say that up front. Preachers don’t like to talk about tithing and money because we don’t like people’s eyes glazing over or people getting fidgety or you start flip through the hymn book or something. Church members ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10

Denomination: Methodist

How To Build A Complaint Free World

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 25, 2007

An invitation is presented to accept a 21 day challenge, and embark upon a complaint-free life and help build a complaint free church and a complaint free world—one person at a time.

I know how easy it is to complain, to find dissatisfaction with a situation or circumstance. In the 1970s, TV’s Saturday Night Live program, one of their skits involved "The Whiner Family." Anybody remember that skit? The family members spoke with a grating, irritating whine. When they engaged in a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Methodist

Samson And Delilah Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 25, 2007

Take a fresh look at this story and learn the lesson it has to offer about how to claim the spiritual power that God gives you to fulfull your life’s purpose!

(answers to blanks at end of outline) INTRODUCTION: In the Bible story, Samson is famous for his________________. We may spend more money on hair care products than any other part of our body. But think of all the things you can do to your hair—you can shampoo it, condition it, comb it, brush ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-20

Denomination: Methodist

Being A Mother: Living A True Religion

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 25, 2007

A Mothers Day Sermon discussing what the "true" religion of parenting displays.

Mother’s Day John 2:1-12 ANSWERS to BLANKS: B—1—love of God and Neighbor; 2—“I believe in you!”; pain; 3—mother and grandmother. A--Experiments of famed American psychologist Harry Harlow: o Harlow conducted experiments on the nature of love using infant rhesus monkeys. o Harlow’s interest ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Daniel And The Lions" Den Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 26, 2007

Learn the power of prayer and be inspired to learn to access the power of the Spirit of God in every circumstance of your life

ANSWERS TO BLANKS----INTRODUCTION: How powerful God is; I am taught the power of prayer and am inspired to learn to access the power of the Spirit of God in every circumstance of my life What the Story Teaches: 1-- trouble and challenge; IMPORTANT? a. engaging in self-defeating ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-10

Denomination: Methodist