Sermons on Hawk:

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

You Get What You Order Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 15, 2007

What is the best way to get what you want? Ask for it! Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you!" In many ways life is like a restaurant, because YOU GET WHAT YOU ORDER! The second guid

Matthew 7:7-8 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. INTRODUCTION: You’ll decide what you want and it will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8

Denomination: Methodist

Fulfill Your Divine Purpose

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 21, 2007

You were made to fulfill your divine purpose

For we are what God has made us….. Ephesians 2:10 INTRODUCTION: "We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works ...." • Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." Think about it--there is no one in the world like you. We all compare ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Methodist

Complaint-Free World Reprised Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 28, 2007

Today is Celebration Sunday for the year 2007 here at Bridgewater United Methodist Church. This fall we’ve been talking about and studying guidelines to living a more abundant life.

INTRODUCTION: Review of guidelines to an abundant life: • I must tithe all that I receive to the person, place, or institution where I receive my spiritual food. • I must set clear-cut, tangible goals. • I must forgive everyone all the time, including myself. • I must seek, discover, and follow my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Methodist

I Love The Commercialism Of Christmas--No Joke!

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 9, 2007

I don’t think any of us are really ready to give up the traditions of this holiday season. So why not think about what we love about this time of the year? (Based on an article by Rev. Thomas Shepherd) ________________________________________

How do you like this time of the year? Shopping center parking lots clogged with car headlights like a starry night sky in the country. Mindless, but welcoming music drifting over hordes of harried, hopeful, hesitantly happy holiday hunters. Shop ’til you’re top-heavy, arms full of packages, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

What A Gift!

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 25, 2007

A Christmas Eve sermon reflecting on the greatest gift given to humanity.

A re-writing of I Corinthians 13 from a Christmas perspective (source: online) If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strings of twinkling lights, and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator? If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

Have An Audacious Christmas

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 30, 2007

A sermon for the 4th Sunday in Advent

Jack Shea, writer and theologian shares his thoughts about how to send out Christmas greetings. Shea writes: “Some Christmas I am going to send out a Christmas card that will look like this. On the cover there will be three images. The first image will be a star brightly shining but it will be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

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

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

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