Sermons on Hawks:

Valuing Relationships Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 14, 2002

Part 3 of series based on Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol"

Matthew 1:18-25 [18] Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. [19] Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

What Have I Learned? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 14, 2002

Celebration Sunday of Bethany Church’s 40 Days of purpose campaign

(stories at end of sermon) It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of 40 days. We are here to celebrate. I have been asking you to write your stories about what have you learned during 40 Days of Purpose. Those are compiled in today’s Celebration Packet unless you asked me not to print yours. And ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:2

Denomination: Methodist

Get In The Game: Preview Of Coming Attractions At Bethany Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 28, 2002

This is a "preview" of the National Campaign of the 40 Days of Purpose, a spiritual growth campaign in which Bethany Church will participate.

(PowerPoint presentation available--email author) Slide 1 GET IN THE GAME: Preview of Coming Attractions at Bethany Slide 2 What are the best things about the arrival of fall? Its crisp air, brisk breezes, and dipping temperatures? Its radiant colors and ravishing smells? The picture on the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14, Habakkuk 3:2

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

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

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

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 Is God's Plan For My Finances? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 25, 2003

First in a series on Getting a Grip on My Finances looks at the meaning of stewardship.

(Powerpoint slides available) SLIDE 1 [Opening Activity Begin The following items are needed: 1. An empty, old bottle 2. A large key made of cardboard and spray painted gold. The key will have the verses of Matthew 6:19-21 printed and attached to one side. "Don’t store up treasures here on earth, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-31, Romans 14:12

Denomination: Methodist

How To Avoid A Financial Crash Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 25, 2003

Part 2 of series Getting a grip on my Finances focuses on how to avoid a financial crash.

(powerpoint available) SLIDE 1 SLIDE 2 A recent poll revealed that only 26% of the people surveyed are satisfied with their finances. That means 74% of the people are not satisfied with their finances. It seems that no matter how much you make it’s never enough. Gallup released a poll recently ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10, Luke 16:11

Denomination: Methodist

Warning Signs That I Am Entering The Debt Zone Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 25, 2003

Part 3 of the series Getting a Grip on My Finances focuses on warning signs over overextending one’s finances.

(Power point available) SLIDE 1 A recent government report with a boatload of statistics reveals people owe for a lot of big things other than houses. These debts all need to be repaid, and meanwhile finance companies are pulling in a lot of interest payments from the loans, which total well over ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:27-28, Malachi 3:8

Denomination: Methodist

Harry Potter Or The Stone?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Aug 26, 2002

This outline is based on a sermon by Sermon Central Contributor William Groover on Harry Potter. I have added video clip suggestions and presented the message in more of a "life-changing" format, with Biblical passages to reinforce each point.

Harry Potter or the Stone? (Don’t Be a Muggle!) [Expanded powerpoint available based on this outline: don_hawks@hotmail.com] Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-5, Psalm 37:4

Denomination: Methodist

What Does 9.11 Make Of Us?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 6, 2002

In spite of the tragedy, what “man meant for evil, God used for good”, thus how will Christians and American citizens be a part of the reshaping of culture since 9.11.01?

(Power Point available--email author) SLIDE 1 “WHAT DOES 9.11 MAKE OF US?” 8:30 with Video presentation (adapted from Leonard Sweet’s message on 9.11) Slide 2 “Night fell on a different world.” These are some of the first words President George Bush used to reflect on September 11, 2001. Slide ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Romans 13:8-10

Denomination: Methodist