Sermons on Billy Joel:

Living In The Will Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 22, 2012

Jesus said His food was to do the will of His Father. It is what moved, motivated and mattered to Jesus. God’s will was what engergized Jesus. If we are filled with His Spirit our desirses should be His. What is the will of God? We will learn for the

Intro: The centerpiece of the gospel is the crusifixion. It stands between life for ourselves and life surrendered to God. If we are to follow Jesus we must be crucified with Him. In this daily crucifixion that Paul talks about our will, emotions, and mind are no longer our own we were bought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:50

Denomination: Baptist

The Will Of God For Individuals Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 22, 2012

God's will for each individual is to say yes to Jesus. How does that play out though. God's primary will for everyone is for each individual to konw Him. Read on to find out how that is practically lived out.

Intro: Many of us as believers can take a test and answer yes to questions like, did Jesus die for your sins, did he rise from the dead, is Jesus coming back to earth? Pastor and author Bruce Larson says that he grew up saying yes to these types of biblical doctrines. But eventually he sensed that ...read more

Scripture: John 17:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Will Of God For The Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 29, 2012

God's will for the church is for us to be the bride and body. As the bride we experience Him. As His body we exalt Him.

Intro: Paul was very clear that the redemption, adoption, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the church was to bring glory to God. Ephesians 1:6,12,14. (Read) Our main goal and vision is to 1 Corinthians 10:13 “whether then you eat or you drink do all to the glory of God.” That ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Will Of God For The Lost Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 6, 2012

Should we say "lost" is it another one of those words that are archaic and out of date? No the parable ofthe lost sheep, coin, and son show that God's heart is in seeking, desiring to find the lost. God's will for the lost is clear. His will for the c

Intro: God’s will for the lost is that none should perish that all should come to repentance. This is 2 Peter 3.9. God’s Word translation gives a wonderfully clear picture of God’s will for people that are separated from Him by sin. “The Lord isn't slow to do what he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Bring The Reign Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 6, 2012

What results does the Lord ship of Jesus bring to the life of His followers? Are their priorities and practices that come from the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus' saints/disciples.

Mark Driscol “Men are prone to chauvinism or cowardice, too little or too much.” What we need to be prone to is Christlikeness. How do we do that? Make the kingdom of God, the reign of Christ your priority. Matthew 6:33 “but seek first His kingdom (reign/rule) and His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing God In 3d Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 16, 2012

God clearly reveals Himself. We as those called to seek Him with all our hearts need to look for His clear revelation not our own personal opinion as to how He is revealed. Our biblical heart is made up of our intellect, emotions, and our will. We were

Intro: One of the greatest things about the Bible is that it never argues God. It clearly communicates and reveals the God of History. This God who is revealed in the Bible is bigger, more intelligent, more powerful, and definitely a lot better than we are. Augustine of Hippo said in his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Filled Life Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 2, 2014

The Spirit filled life is not simply about spouting Spiritual garbage. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to control every area of your life. Come and see how that works out practically

Info: Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, "Why do we need this 'Mr. Moody'? He's uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?" A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, "No, but the Holy ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Strategy: Learning God’s Way To Win Spiritual Warfare Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 8, 2014

We are at War! When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are commissioned to stand in a battle. Victory only comes when we know who and how we face the battle.

Intro: Video intro from sermon Spice – Spiritual Warfare What are the three biggest mistakes you can make in warfare? 1) Not knowing you enemies strategy 2) Not having a strategy of your own 3) Not knowing you are at war. Paul has told us about riches of being in God’s family and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Not To Respond To God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 22, 2013

Be careful when you read the story of Jonah that you are not distracted by the big fish, the big city, or the popular prophet. The story ks about the God who is bigger and above yet completely involved in the story of grace.

Intro: Top 10 THINGS TO DO INSIDE A BIG FISH 10) “Can you hear me now?” 9) Pray the fish is ….. bulemic 8) Bonfire and a fish fry! 7) Open a sushi bar 6) “Consider it pure joy” 5) Floss . . . the whale 4) Finally get motivated to read Moby Dick 3) Listen to tapes of ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Powerful Display Of God's Plan Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 10, 2013

Difficulties are not designed to destroy us. God's plan is to glorify Himself. Whether that includes suffering or success or significance is up to God. It is up to us as how we respond to what we face.

Intro: When Trouble Strikes (Our Daily Bread) Dave Dravecky had pitched with remarkable success for the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants baseball teams. But his pitching arm developed an unusual soreness. Medical tests identified the problem--cancer. Surgery and months of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah's Song Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 29, 2013

We too often believe the lie that things are meant to destroy us. Whether a violent storm or big fish what we think is meant to destroy us is actually designed by God to develop us.

Intro: Think about this as we look at chapter 2 of Jonah. What did Jonah deserve? He deserved to be a man taco for a big fish. What did he get? God’s mercy. Jonah had already received God’s grace. God did not completely destroy Jonah or the Ship in the violent storm. God as a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Point Of Prophecy Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 26, 2015

The point of prophecy is to point us toward God. The point of Daniel's prophecy isn't necessarily profound but it is very practical. No matter what happens go you way until the end. It is a call to be faithful in the face of all circumstances in Christ

Intro: When we began this study on Daniel you were encouraged that because God is in control you can live righteously or Godly in this wicked world. You should also remember that the prophecies were written not to satisfy your curiosity but to strengthen your faith. God is in control and ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Emotional Freedom Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 26, 2015

There is a great disconnect today between faith and a vital relationship with Jesus. You don't have to look far to see the results. Riots, rage, racial division. When our emotions control us we miss out on the freedom Jesus promised.

Passion: The Holy Spirits Power to Handle your Emotions Emotional Freedom Intro: What do you think of to fill in the blank when I say, Emotions are out of __________ today. In 2002 George Barna conducted various studies that showed how much Americans identified faith as a key factor in their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:3

Denomination: Baptist

Dreaming Dreams And Seeing Visions

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2007

What should be the vision for a congregation that is pleasing to the Lord? The answer is given in a study of the first message preached by Peter following the Resurrection of the Lord.

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

An Example Of A Great Church Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Sep 20, 2004

A look at the church in Antioch of Syria and what made it a great church

SERIES: “LESSONS FROM THE EARLY CHURCH” TEXT: ACTS 11:19-29; 12:25-13:3; 14:26-28; 15:1-3 TITLE: “AN EXAMPLE OF A GREAT CHURCH: 9 Marks of a Great Church as Exemplified in the Church at Antioch” INTRODUCTION: A. What does being “great” mean? 1. The ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ