Sermons on Billy Joel:

A Life Of Faith Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 25, 2012

God desires us to live by faith. The only way to please God is to live by faith. Faith is not a blind leap of faith it is instead a walk in the light.

Intro: What does God want from us? Whether we are successful like the general or a servant like the young girl, or a prophet who shares the Word and will of God in this story God wants us to live a life of faith. Seasons 2 Episode 9 of Bones. Dr (bones) Brennan gives a completely false ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 25, 2012

That is the basis of thankfulness - to remember that we got here with the help of God, & that He is the provider of every blessing we have.

Intro: Alex Haley, the author of "Roots," had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, "Why is that there?" Alex Haley answered, "Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words & think that they are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking To Live Godly In A Spiritual World Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 25, 2012

Sold Out, two of the most powerful words that can describe our life in Christ. It means we are no longer available to be bought by anything. We are not our own.

Intro: Some of the most terrible words that shoppers can hear on black Friday or any day in this shopping season “Sold Out.” What does that mean? It means it is no longer available to be purchased and unavailable to another buyer. That is exactly what Paul is telling his 1 Corinthians ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 2, 2012

Faithfulness has Jesus as it object, obedience as its joy, and eternity as its goal. Faithfulness is the proper response to all of God's gracious giving.

Intro: What is the proper response to the manger which was the doorway for God to be with us? What is the proper response to the cross where God suffered for us? What is the proper response to the ascension where Jesus intercedes for us? What is the proper response to the gift of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Christmas: God’s Glory Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 31, 2012

Our goal should be to reveal and reflect the person and reputation of God in everything we do. To live for God’s glory is to live our lives in such a way that His reputation is enhanced among men. Christmas is about God’s Glory!

Intro: When we think of the birth of Jesus it would be best to think of His entrance into this world as History. Why? It is His story of how God came entered the world and paid for the penalty of mans sin for His glory. Look at Luke 2.14 as the Angelic host proclaimed the theme and ending of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Of Christmas: Salvation Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 31, 2012

During a time of great pressure during Ahaz reign over Judah God promised a sign of deliverance. That sign has its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Christmas promise. Immanuel, God with us.

Intro: God has a promise for every pain, pressure, and problem we face. Ahaz and the southern nation of Judah was in a very pressing situation in this passage. The northern kingdom of Israel ( Ephraim) and the kingdom of Syria (Aram) had formed an alliance to resist Assyria to the northeast. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About Jesus Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 15, 2013

We as Christians have the truth found in the person of Jesus Christ. What is the problem in communicating that truth? Many people in our culture and world today don't even know the question to ask so that we can give the answer in Jesus.

Intro: As the new year approaches we need more than ever to know who we are and what we are supposed to be about. We know in the great commandment we are told to Love God with every fiber of our being, and love each other with every fiber of our being. We also know in the Great Commission we are ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait: Devotion To God's Word Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 15, 2013

From the words of Jesus it is clear that His desire and design for the body of Christ is health. For the church to be healhty there must be rebirth and remodelling. Spiritual health does not happen accidentally. It takes devotion to the health plan God

Intro: If you remember from last time we are called and commanded to experience and share the truth of who Jesus is. There is something that is absolutely necessary if we are going to live the Great Commandment of Love God with everything and loving others with everything. We must be healthy as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait: Fellowship: Cultivating Life In Common Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 20, 2013

Fellowship with believers is not an option. It is in real relationships and connection with other believers that we are built up, encouraged, enriched to grow in relationship to fellows believers and representing Jesus Christ.

Intro: In Paul’s and Peter’s letters we are called living stones and a Holy Tabernacle where the Holy Spirit lives. If you remember from last week the proper and stable construction of that place for the Holy Spirit to live doesn’t happen by accident. Jesus desired then and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait 11: A Healthy Church Is Influential Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 9, 2013

Jesus Christ commanded His church to be influential. We have a commission to impact people, principles and culture for Christ and His kingdom. How do we do this. We respond to His call to follow Him and be salt and light.

Intro: The philosophies or ways of thinking of the world lead to a devaluing. The worldly philosophies of the 19th century led to the idea of a golden era with no more war or rumors of war. There were many that believed that a utopia would result from the right thinking of man. They really ...read more

Scripture: John 5:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing The Best Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 27, 2013

Paul penned this letter to the Philippians from a prison. Yet he was overjoyed at how God was his adverse circumstances to advance the Gospel. Paul's joy was completely centered in His realtionship with Jesus.

Intro: An old dog was watching a young dog chase his tail. The young dog stopped to rest, and told the older dog, “I believe happiness is in my tail, and if I catch it, then I will have happiness!” The older, wiser dog said, “I caught mine once. . . and I found out that happiness ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

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

How To Live Until You Die Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 20, 2013

Paul was in prison and the Philippians were in poverty. How are we to face similar fearful times as followers of Jesus. Paul teaches us the key to this with just a short sentence. "For me to live is Christ."

Intro: Paul was in prison and the Philippians were in poverty. Have you ever wondered how some face fearful times with such faith. Paul is giving clear encouragement to us today. Our faith will overcome fearful times when we discover Jesus doesn’t add to our life He is our life. We as ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Memorial Of A Worthy Walk Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 28, 2013

God is no longer looking for stone memorials that were lifted up in the Old Covenant. He wants living stones as a holy nation of priests lifting up holy lives as a memorial to His greatness.

Intro: A man came to the Baptist Church and asked to see the pastor. “Pastor,” he said, “My dog died and I would like a Christian burial for him.” The Pastor said, “I’m sorry to hear about your dog, but we Baptists don’t do funerals for dogs. You might try ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Together For The Glory Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 3, 2013

Unity in the Body of Christ goes beyond fondness for the people of Christ. It is a supernatural work that results in surrendering our rights for the sake of others. Learn the essentials and the expressions of unity in this message.

Intro: Tonto and the Lone Ranger were riding through a canyon together when all of a sudden both sides were filled with Indian warriors on horses, dressed for battle. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and asked, “What are we going to do?” Tonto replied, “What you mean ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist