Sermons on Stephen Hawking:

You Get What You Order Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 15, 2007

What is the best way to get what you want? Ask for it! Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you!" In many ways life is like a restaurant, because YOU GET WHAT YOU ORDER! The second guid

Matthew 7:7-8 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. INTRODUCTION: You’ll decide what you want and it will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8

Denomination: Methodist

Fulfill Your Divine Purpose

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 21, 2007

You were made to fulfill your divine purpose

For we are what God has made us….. Ephesians 2:10 INTRODUCTION: "We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works ...." • Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." Think about it--there is no one in the world like you. We all compare ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Methodist

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

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

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

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

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

Have An Audacious Christmas

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 30, 2007

A sermon for the 4th Sunday in Advent

Jack Shea, writer and theologian shares his thoughts about how to send out Christmas greetings. Shea writes: “Some Christmas I am going to send out a Christmas card that will look like this. On the cover there will be three images. The first image will be a star brightly shining but it will be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Methodist

Window Of The Soul

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 20, 2008

You can be more than you think in the present moment by opening your heart to the Spirit of Christ who has taken away the sin of the world.

Today I want you to hear this from the opening pages of the Scripture: Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness… So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Gn. 1:26, 27). According to an ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-36

Denomination: Methodist

Prescription For A Meaningful Life

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 20, 2008

The Baptism of Jesus and his calling provides a model for responding to our calling through our baptism.

And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ – v .17 ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ (Lk. 3:11). The story of Jesus’ baptism raises questions meaningful to my own baptism: • "What ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Methodist

In Less Time Than The Blink Of An Eye

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 3, 2008

A sermon for Transfiguration Sunday about the transforming power of Christ’s Spirit

In today’s Gospel Lesson, on the Mount of Transfiguration, the awesome power and glory of God was mysteriously revealed in Jesus Christ. That scene is described in this way in The Message version of the event: Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Methodist