Sermons on Hawks:

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

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

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

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

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 Should I Behave In Worship? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 1, 2002

Worship is the way we live everyday—that we do here on Sunday morning is only practice—it is only the warm-up to way life is to be lived in relationship with God and other people in the everyday world.

(Main ideas in this message from Ed Young of Fellowship Church) Today I am concluding this series of talks on worship. I thought about calling today’s message--www.godon-line.com. The www stands for the wonderful world of worship. Because this series has been about connecting with the Lord. God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3, Isaiah 6:5

Denomination: Methodist

"How To Make My Church A House Of Bread” (Sourdough Spirituality)

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 31, 2002

A Communion message with Discussion on how to build a strong church family so that the church might be the body and blood of Christ for the world.

[This sermon ws inspired by Lonard Sweet’s "Sourdough Spirituality" and Rick Warren’s article on building a stronger church] (Have bread baking in church kitchen before service as people are entering building sot hey can smell the aroma of fresh baked bread.) Bring a sourdough starter into ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35, Matthew 13:33-34

Denomination: Methodist

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

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

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