Sermons on Billy Joel:

Devices Of The Devil: Apathy Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 26, 2010

The devices of the Devil are desined to distort, destroy, distract and defeat the follower of Jesus Christ. One of his most powerful devices is the vice of apathy. The devil will put you in it and slowly tighten until you are cold to the things of God.

Intro: Rollo May, “Hate is not the opposite of love – Apathy is.” One of the most powerful devices of the devil is apathy. Of all the attitudes that are given to the seven churches in the book of Revelation this is the one that makes Jesus sick to His stomach. What is the ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Devices Of The Devil: Anger Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 6, 2010

There are two words translated anger in the New Testament one carries the idea of passion and energy, the other irritation and agitation. Anger is sinful when it leads us to a loveless response. There are symptoms of dangersous anger given along with th

Intro: Last week in our study we covered Apathy. Apathy is possibly the second most powerful device of the devil. It is a vice that slowly or tightens its grip on us and causes us to be cold and unconcerned with the things of God. If apathy is the vice that slowly pinches off our emotion or ...read more

Scripture: James 1:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Devices Of The Devil: Apprehension Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 17, 2010

The devil wants us to be afraid. He does not want us to have healthy fear of events and our environment around us. He wants us to be debilitated by fear of life and living. What will set us free from this. Realizing that God does not give a spirit of

Intro: We began our study of the devices of the Devil with deception. Satan is the father of lies and wants to keep you from the truth of salvation in Jesus finished work on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Deception is his chief device and he has had at least thousands of years to ply ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Focused And Going Forward

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 24, 2010

What is the Kingdom of God? It is the place where Jesus is King! This is the main purpose of the Church to be a place where Jesus is King. Jesus Messiah, what a wonderful song. Messiah is the annointed King of Israel. The annointed King is Jesus.

Intro: In the past few weeks we have studied some of the lethal weapons that the devil will direct at us. I have said that these devices or schemes are designed to destroy, divide, distort what God has for us as believers. Jesus offers us life full. The devil offers life fractured. Our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection Isn’t Just For Easter Sunday

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 24, 2011

The resurrection happened so that acts 2 could happen. Not just forgiven people but transformed people. We are forgiven so that we can have with God in Jesus Christ and be remade in Jesus’ image.f

Intro: Someone asked me are we having anything special today? I said no. I have thought about that all week. We are having something special today we are celebrating the resurrection of our savior, Lord, Master, King, friend, and God. Jesus Christ. We do not have to have pageants or special ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Of A Mother In The Face Of A Struggle

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 7, 2011

The family today is in desperate need for parents with faith that can face the struggles of uncertainty, unkindness, and ungodlyness. In Hannah we get a glowing example of a mother that faced her struggles with faith.

Intro: Bill Most of the scholars that you read will look over Hannah and move straight to the last judge of Israel. His name is Samuel in Hebrew means heard of God or God hears. But you cannot bypass one of the most important reasons that Samuel had the relationship with God that he had. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Biblical Calling Of Motherhood

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 9, 2010

Motherhood is a calling to receive not a pefection to achieve. God has called all moms to do somthing he designed them to do.

Intro: I want to share with you ten truths that children learn about life. 1) No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats. 2) When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush your hair. 3) If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the second ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Simple Message Of Salvation

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 23, 2010

The message of the gospel is simple. We accept and communicate the Gospel when we take God seriously.

Intro: The book of Acts is the history book of the church. It was written by a Dr and Historian name Luke. Luke was one of Paul’s many missionary apprentices. This is a record of the early church taking seriously the words of Jesus. You will receive power to become my witnesses in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:24-34

Denomination: Baptist

Seven Significant Signs Of Spiritual Growth

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 23, 2010

Have you ever been told to grow in grace and knowledge of God but not given practical steps to do so? Seven signs or steps to spiritual growth

Intro: From Jeff Hana; the TOP TEN WAYS TO TELL IF A CHURCH IS SPIRIT-FILLED 10) You have to assign numbers to people who want to share their testimony in worship 9) As the pastor closes the sermon, the chant of “We want more! We want more!” erupts. 8) The ushers have to empty the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Dynamic Presence Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 28, 2011

What follows the Holy Spirit taking up residence in those that believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

Intro: What follows the Holy Spirit taking up residence in those that believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ? To find out we turn to the book of Acts. The Acts of the Holy Spirit show us the working of God’s holy Spirit in indwelling, empowering, enabling, and pressing the Apostles and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 11, 2011

Paul said in Gal 2.20 that the life he lived Christ lived in him. He was telling us that we are to allow the Holy Spirit to incarnate Jesus' life in us. Our life is not our own it was bought with a price. If Jesus is living in us then His life should b

Intro: Jesus came into the world at a time similar to ours. The social setting was very complex due to the conflicting religions and philosophies of the day. This led to a very pluralistic social structure in which you could justify anything in the name of a personal god (small g). In other ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Agents Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 15, 2011

We see in Paul's prayer of thanksgiving for Philemon the reality of a forgiven childe of God. He was not only forgiven but Paul points out He is an agent of forgiveness.

Intro: Today across America there will probably be many sermons based around the theme of love. How appropriate that Paul in this personal letter to Philemon commends him for his love having feet and hands. If you remember from last week that Paul was calling Philemon to forgive his run away ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 20, 2011

Paul is directing Philemon, Onesimus and you and me down the Road to forgivenes. We find that unforgivness impacts your physical, and mental health. God is not a fuddy dud but a compassionate father wanting only whats best for us. Forgivenes is the roa

Intro: In the past two weeks we have studied the personal yet powerful letter from Paul to Philemon. It is very interesting to note the word forgiveness is never mentioned in this little letter. However much is said about forgiveness by the apostle Paul. Don’t forget the call to put flesh on ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-18

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 27, 2011

Is there an aswer to the cause of suffering? The worlds philosophys either deny the reality of suffering or say it must be dealt with until the release of death. The Christian worldview provides neither denial of evil nor disability in dealing with its

Intro: There are supposedly more Christians in the world today than ever before. There are more churches, Christian organizations, and ministries. Is our world the better for it? Morally, spiritually, socially it seems every place you turn the world is getting worse. Libya, Egypt, the Middle ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10

Denomination: Baptist

Sufferings Invitation Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 5, 2011

Adam and Eve invited suffering into the world. By disobeying God's direct command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they asked for discipline from God. The discipline "I will greatly multiply your pain." Both for woman and man.

Intro: Gianna Jensen is a survivor of a later term abortion. Her mother was in the third trimester of pregnancy when a saline abortion was performed. Through the grace of God she survived and was taken at 2lbs to a hospital and an incubator. Because of this botched abortion she was not supposed ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist