O. S. Hawkins Quotes & Sayings

What makes a church great in the eyes of God? Participation, proclamation, preservation, and propagation. Every church ought to exhibit all four. — O. S. Hawkins

Proclamation, the preaching of the Gospel, should be central to Christian worship. The sermon is the central dynamic in the worship experience. It is the fulcrum upon which the entire service of worship hinges. Everything that comes before it should point to it, and everything that comes after it should issue out of it. Because of this, the pastor is the worship leader of the church. In too many places and in too many circumstances, worship is only identified with something we do before the sermon. That is, we think the worship leader is one who leads choruses or spiritual songs. The dynamic of the worship experience is a complete package, and it is the sermon, the preaching of the Gospel, that must be central to it. It is the poastor himself who sets the tone for worship. — O. S. Hawkins

Divine opportunities are all around you every day. Make a conscious effort today to show kindness to someone. — O. S. Hawkins

The principal hindrance to the advancement of the kingdom of God is greed. It is the chief obstacle to heaven-sent revival. It seems that when the back of greed is broken, the human spirit soars into regions of unselfishness. I believe that it is safe to say there can be no continuous revival without 'hilarious' giving. And I fear no contradiction: wherever there is 'hilarious' giving there will soon be revival! — O. S. Hawkins

Our minds are like a hotel. The manager can't keep people from coming into the lobby, but he can keep them from getting a room. It is the same with our thoughts. It is not a sin when an impure thought goes through our minds. The sin comes when we give it a room and let it settle down there. — O. S. Hawkins

The great, God-blessed churches in the world today have one common characteristic: an insistence upon an exposition of God's infallible Word. — O. S. Hawkins

The motivating factor behind God's redemptive plan for every man and woman is His love for us. He not only loves us, He so loves us! — O. S. Hawkins

Real Christianity is lovely. There is a quality about a Spirit-filled, radiant Christian that draws and attracts others and causes them to enjoy favor with all the people. The truth is that the gospel is not nearly as offensive as some of its proponents! — O. S. Hawkins

There are stark differences between as "achieved ministry" and a "received ministry." An achieved ministry seeks the applause and amen of men. A received ministry sees the applause and amen of God. An achieved ministry may succeed even though it fails. A received ministry may fail (in the eyes of men) even though it succeeds (in the eyes of God). Pastor, one of the most liberating discoveries you will ever make is to discover, or perhaps rediscover, that, like Paul, you have "received a ministry" from the Lord. The pastor's calling is to "serve God's purpose" and glorify hus holy name in the process. — O. S. Hawkins