Sermons on Hawking:

How To Experience The Meaning Of Holy Week--A Palm Sunday Message

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 18, 2002

A Palm Sunday message to prepare people for the Holy Week.

THE MEANING OF HOLY WEEK About 2000 years ago an event occurred in the Middle East that changed the world permanently. We’ll never be the same again. In fact, we date our calendars by this event. Every time you write a date, you’re using the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the focal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:59-68

Denomination: Methodist

The State Of The Church-- What's The Purpose Of Bethany Church?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 19, 2002

The message encourages members to think about what is the purpose of the church.

THE STATE OF THE CHURCH --WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF BETHANY CHURCH? Acts 2:42-47 (TMNT) They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe¡Xall those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 1:10

Denomination: Methodist

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

What About Heaven? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 13, 2002

Some common questions about what heaven is like are addressed.

(Adapted from a message by Tom Holladay at Saddleback Church) There’s a story about a wealthy Christian who somehow got obsessed with the idea of taking some of his wealth to heaven. Now he knew the Bible clearly teaches that you can’t take it with you. But so obsessed was he with this desire that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15, Revelation 21:4-5

Denomination: Methodist

Where Is God In This Crisis?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 14, 2002

A message in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks-spiritual anchors for your soul in a changing world.

Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! 4 A river brings joy to the city of our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:25-29, Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

What About Jesus?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 30, 2002

Some responses are shared to questions people might have about Jesus.

What do we do when you see a police car? Some say "Slow down," some say "Break!" "Scream." Just even when we’re at a stoplight and a police car pulls up behind us how many of us get nervous? You’re already thinking, "What did I do?... Did they see me run that stop sign last week? I’m making ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-10, John 3:16-17

Denomination: Methodist

What I Learned From Jesus' Mothers

Contributed by Don Hawks on May 8, 2002

Today’s lesson for this Mothers day worship service is "What I Learned from Jesus’ Mothers"—yes that’s right Jesus had more than one mother.

(Powerpoint presentation and audience outline accompanies this message). Slide 1 Happy Mothers Day to you from BUMC. If you are a mother or have been like a mother to someone please stand so we can recognize you. Today’s lesson for this worship service is What I Learned from Jesus’ mothers—yes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-5, Matthew 1:16

Denomination: Methodist

What Does God Have To Say

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 4, 2005

Thoughts and suggestions in response to Christmas Tsunami 2004

(Sources listed below) SLIDE 1 WELCOME, ATTENDANCE, PRAYER Hear us Lord as we lift dark circumstances into your holy and perfecting light: (Lift up local concerns and thanksgivings) For all victims of natural disaster, especially those who lives were swept away in the Tsunami in the Indian ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Faith Of A Methodist Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 11, 2004

The first of A 50th Anniversary Preaching Series

(Inspired by a series of sermons by Rev. Adam Hamilton, UM Church of the Resurrection). SLIDE 1 I want to remind you about the 50th Anniversary event tonight—the Ice Cream Social—dinner starts at 6 but come early for fun and social time. You don’t get any ice cream until you eat your dinner. SLIDE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-38

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

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

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