Sermons on Billy Joel:

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 Significant Life Losing All To Gain Christ

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 1, 2011

Paul's letter to the Philippians has many themes but one of the most important is that of joy. 17 times joy is mentioned and 51 times Jesus. Joy comes in connection with close personal relationship with Jesus. Our churches are called to a hope and a fu

Intro: What a wonderful letter. What a note to begin the New Year on. Rejoice in the Lord! Seventeen times in this letter Paul speaks about joy. In relation to this joy he speaks personally about Jesus Christ at least 51 times. The source of Joy is an ongoing growing relationship with Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Finances Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 14, 2011

Proverbs gives us the proper context for giving. Without saying the word Tithe it reveals to us that we are to honor God with the first and best of all our increase, substance, weath, money. Your faithfulness will never be an issue of percentage it will

Intro: Why should we spend time studying what the Bible says about finances? Because the way we handle our resources is one of if not the clearest indicators of our hearts spiritual condition. Of the 38 parables that Jesus taught 16 are about how we handle our money. So why should we study ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Of The Father Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 16, 2011

The world offers life at its best through what you own, wear, the way you look, the more you get, this selfish mentality promises life at its best but never delivers on the promise. God offers life at its best and it begins with a promise of power. Lear

Intro: A web search or general browsing of TV commercials tells us that life at its best is found in anything from nutrition to air fresheners. Culture tells us that life at its best is looking a certain way physically, wearing certain clothes, having a particular attitude. We are told that life ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 22, 2011

The Holy Spirit is vital to everything we do as followers of Christ. We as God

Intro: Hosea 6.6 gives us a glimpse from the Old Testament into the heart of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God through Hosea says, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” This book tells the story of Hosea and Gomer. God tells Hosea ...read more

Scripture: John 16:8-11

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

Live Out Loud Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 29, 2010

James tells us that faith without works is dead. He is not saying Paul is wrong. Paul spoke about becoming a believer and follower of Christ, James is talking about behaving as a believer and follower of Christ. Out loud faith is not merely, words, thi

Intro: What does your faith say? That is the question you should ask yourself this morning as you listen to this message. What does your lifestyle say about the God you say you serve? James is clearly pulling no punches as He deals directly with living, abiding full life generating faith. Does ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Tongue: The Power And Purpose Of Our Words

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 13, 2010

James is presenting practical Christianity. He has told us faith without works is dead. In other words a prayer that doesn't change our practices is powerless. Meeting Jesus changes us permanently and continually. This impacts our works and our words.

Intro: We dive in again to the depths of James practical teaching. He has given us tests and teachings on practical faith in a personal Jesus. Remember that James and Jesus want us to not only be born again of the word but have it to take root in our lives and cause us to trust God more fully ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

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

What The Love Of God Looks Like Series

Contributed by Billy Noel on Aug 18, 2009

There is a distinct difference between the way God loves and the way we love, His love is unconditional and full of grace and forgiveness.

We have over the last 5-6 weeks tried to illustrate what love is, and our need to display it through our daily living I have attempted to challenge us to love as God has prescribed Created to love. What love does. Loves evidence. What love looks like. I believe sincerely that we choose whether or ...read more

Scripture: John 8:3-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Steps To Victory Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 21, 2011

Joshsua the hebrew form of Jesus Christ's name. We are shown that God has given us victory. However as with the Israelites we must step in obedience to the direction and will of God. Merely taking the steps does not gurantee victory. Taking the steps

ntro: Joshua is a book about victory. It is not victory through superiority but through surrender. Surrender to the presence, promises and provision of God. Deuteronomy and Joshua have divisions between them but are written more like a part 1 and 2 of the same story. In Deuteronomy the Children ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist