Sermons on Stephen Hawking:

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

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

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

The Secret Of Success

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 8, 2007

What is the ultimate secret of success in business, in your career, in sales, in school, in sports, in all relationships, in life, in everything?

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES Bridgewater United Methodist Church -- Pastor Don Hawks 07. 15.07 THE SECRET OF SUCCESS Colossians 3:1-17, 23-24 Pew Bible, NT pp. 190 ANSWERS TO BLANKS--- INTRODUCTION: Don’t hold your nose! QUESTIONS TO ASK: 1--hold back; go all out; 2-- real Master, God CONCLUSION: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-24

Denomination: Methodist