Sermons on Hawk:

Salvation Sunday

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 17, 2008

Salvation is more than words or concepts. Understanding salvation is a matter of experiencing it.

I. Today I have a new sermon, but I have an old message-- the message of salvation. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus - where, he says to Nicodemus— "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." II. What do these words mean—how do you explain ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

What Do I Expect To Hear?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 13, 2008

A Sermon for Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time(A) "As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit" Matthew 13:23

let me ask a question of all you who are here today—What did you come expecting here to hear? In a fascinating story of his journey across the United States with his pet dog, John Steinbeck tells of a Church service he attended during his travels in the State of Vermont. Tongue in cheek, he says, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

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

What Am I Looking For?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 29, 2008

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field...The kingdom of heaven is like ... finding one pearl of great value, .... the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind"

A certain man went to Church one Sunday. He frowned when the organist missed a note during the opening hymn. He gave a mean stare at two teenagers talking to each other when the congregation was at prayer. During the Scripture Readings he kept looking impatiently at his watch. When the collection ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-52

Denomination: Methodist

What To Do With Leftovers

Contributed by Don Hawks on Aug 2, 2008

DO you have an attitude of scarcity or by faith an attitude of abundance?

When I was a boy growing up my mother use to tell me not to leave any food on my plate. She’d encourage me to think about all those poor starving children in some foreign country who didn’t have anything to eat. I loved my mother who has transitioned from this life but I never could understand the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Methodist

Is The World Out Of Control?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Aug 10, 2008

I need not be afraid though all hell should break loose. Why? Because “God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, CEV).

In today’s gospel reading Jesus says to a frightened group of friends: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." It’s from the story of Jesus walking on water. Some people have interpreted the story as giving us a lesson about needing to take risks in life. One preacher made that the topic of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Methodist

We Are Co-Creators With God

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 20, 2008

There is great Biblical emphasis on the reality that God often comes to us most clearly in the midst of our work.

INTRODUCTION: ATTITUDES ABOUT LIFE’S WORK • “Here lies Tammas Jones. Born a man. Died a grocer.”-- An epitaph on an old tombstone in Scotland. • “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” -- Henry David Thoreau • “Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-15

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 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

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