Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Worship Of Work Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 11, 2011

When our work is done unto Christ it becomes worship. Our entire lives are worship so our lives should characterize God's glory with our excellence.

Intro: The world often disregards the church today. They do the same that Sanballat and Tobiah did here in Nehemiah they say if God loves you so much why are you such a mess. Our church answer is we are forgiven not perfect. The world often disregards us because we focus so much on what is wrong ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer And Planning Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 11, 2011

When God burdens us in our prayer life he is preparing us to do something about that burden in someone elses life. When our prayers connect with God's plans great things happen.

Intro: Tomas A Edison “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed up in overalls and looks like work.” I agree with Mark Driscoll pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle Washington. “We need far less people criticizing and writing books about what is wrong with ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Learning That Service Is Satisfying Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 13, 2012

Oswald Chambers spoke over 100 years ago prophetically of the time we are living in today. He said, “We are moving into a more spiritual but less Godly time.” There is a desperate need for the church today to surrender their life to Jesus. He tells us

Intro: Oswald Chambers spoke over 100 years ago prophetically of the time we are living in today. He said, “We are moving into a more spiritual but less Godly time.” God clearly tells us to be born again in John 3, we are told by Paul if we are in Christ we are a new creation. More people are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Learning God’s Idea Of Greatness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 16, 2012

We as the Church, the called out body of believers, have been distratced from God definition of greatness. God has designed a broom for every believers hands. Your broom my be children’s ministry, homeless ministry, marriage, etc. God as a broom shappe

Intro: There are many things that are fought for in the church today. The type of music that is used during the worship service, the way we use money, the length of time we have a worship service, the way we organize and we could go on. The one thing that usually isn’t fought over is the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Relase Our Lives For The Glory Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 11, 2011

What we do with our money is decison of the heart and not the head. We are challenged by God's word to live by God's principles not our preferences. God's ways lead to blessing our ways lead to burderns. Which do you follow.

Intro: Last week we learned that God is lavishly generous. We know that the goal of God is to place in us the character of Christ. God’s generosity is not without purpose. Remember God is generous toward us and gives us gifts so that the body of Christ can be built up and others can ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Trust God's Principles And Promises Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 26, 2011

The principles of God's word point to God's person. So if we trust His principles it is because we trust Him. If we do not live by His principles we miss out on all there is found in His person.

Intro: Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope.” What truths are found in the Old Testament that will instruct and encourage us to a deeper trust with ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Macho Man Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 2, 2011

God calls us men to be men like Jesus. He doens’t call us to be action heroes full of attitude and anger. He calls us to answer the Question who do you say that I am and what difference does it make in our lives.

Intro: Who do people say that I am? That is the most purposeful question that you will ever be asked in your life. Some people say Jesus was a good teacher, a radical zealot, a miracle worker, a relgion starter. But Jesus never allows us to stay with the purposeful answer he always makes it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Building The City Of God In The City Of Man Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 18, 2011

Nehemiah is often used to encouarge congregations to build a building. What Nehemiah did was encourage the remnant to rebuild the people and the walls of the city.

Intro: Nehemiah has always been used by pastors/teachers to encourage church congregations to build new facilities and buildings. I believe that a major portion of what is going on in Nehemiah is missed if we focus on building physically and miss out on building spiritually. Jesus said in ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Missionary Heart Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 4, 2010

From the beginning God was a missionary God. Creating and man and coming down to walk with Adam and Eve in the Garden. In this message there is God's intiative in missions, God invitation in missions. Finally there is a prayer included to ask God to gi

Intro: What is the one thing missing in most churches today? Is it lively soul moving worship music? Is it powerful spirit filled and led preaching? Is it wise council and wonderful leadership? Is it conferences and confession? Can I make a suggestion to you today? It is the Missionary ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Missionary Hope Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 18, 2010

Hope is not wishful thinking. Our confidence is Jesus. He is our anchor that connects us to God. This sermon deals with how that confidence or joyous expectation changes us and charges us to love God and love people until His return. This is why Jesus

Intro: The Assyrians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans had their many gods—gods of war, gods of industry, gods of agriculture, gods of cities, gods of towns, and various others. But in religions entire galaxy of gods, there never was one called “god of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:13

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

Correction For A Corrupt Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 26, 2012

Paul teaches the Corinthians and us that our position in Christ should have a practical impact on our daily lifestyle.

Intro: The culture of the Corinthians – sexual immorality and cultural diversity. The context (occasion of the letter) – The immoral conduct of the Corinthians was reflective of the culture instead of Christ. (Our culture and context isn’t much different) 1) Paul wanted to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Life With The Father Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 27, 2012

What is the real evidence that we live with the Father? What is the real evidence that we have spiritual eyes that God has revealed Himself to? Is it hands raised in the sanctuary, a hymn sung in quartet harmony, a chorus completed on Sunday morning? N

Intro: What is the real evidence that we live with the Father? What is the real evidence that we have spiritual eyes that God has revealed Himself to? Is it hands raised in the sanctuary, a hymn sung in quartet harmony, a chorus completed on Sunday morning? No. It is obedience to God’s ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Be A Godly Woman In An Ungodly World

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 29, 2012

It is not easy but it is essential today that moms are Godly. Whether stay at home or working women it is necessary that we understand God's way of thinking about the family.

Intro: Tony Campolo says that his wife is a brilliant woman. She has a PHD & is capable of pursuing a very profitable career. But she elected to stay home with her children when they were young. Her decision didn’t bother her at all except when other women would ask, “What do you ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Cure For The Common Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 8, 2012

Don't try to hide the fact you have quarrels and fights. Deal with the fact that there is divisions and disagreement. Divisions distract us. Learn the principles that can be the cure for the common church.

Intro: What is it that causes fights and quarrels or division? We see division in families, marriages, teams, governments, and of course churches? Why? Listen to what James the brother of Jesus has to say. James 4.1-3 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren’t they caused ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist