Sermons on Hawking:

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

Life Is For Living (Not Dying)

Contributed by Don Hawks on Nov 6, 2007

The issue of life after death touches all of us -- sometimes with enormous intensity. What are some Biblical passages that might address this issue?

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES Life Is for Living (Not Dying) Luke 20:27-38 V. 36 -- Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. If we humans die, will we live again? That’s my question. All through these difficult days I keep ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Methodist

Words And Wisdom For Doomsday Believers

Contributed by Don Hawks on Nov 24, 2007

What about the end of time? When is the second coming? Are we seeing signs of it today with all the wars and troubles in the world?

“…for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.” V. 15 INTRODUCTION: Are we seeing signs today of the end of time with all the wars and other troubles in the world? MAKING SENSE OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING • Does this discussion of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

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

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

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

Jesus—the Man For All Seasons!

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 26, 2007

On this Easter morning, we have come here to remember, to rejoice and to re-tell all over again the greatest story ever told. It is the old, old story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago, which continues to be told.

INTRODUCTION: We come to worship on Easter morning, to remember, to rejoice and to re-tell the greatest story ever told: The ancient story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a story which continues to transform the world today… …the name…which is above every other name, so that every knee should ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

Remember: The Worst Things Are Never The Last Things

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 27, 2007

A Pastoral Response to the Virginia Tech Events of April 16, 2007

INTRODUCTION: Common Questions about tragic events-- • Why is there so much evil in the world? • Why do innocent people suffer? • Where was God when this happened? A--TRUE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED TRAGIC EVENTS IN THEIR LIVES AND THEIR ULTIMATE RESPONSE TO THE TRAGEDIES THEY FACED. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1

Denomination: Methodist