Sermons on Billy Joel:

What Do These Stones Mean?

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 24, 2008

When God took the children of Israel across the river Jordan he called them to set up memorial stones. The stones caution us to remember, they challenge us to recount, and they call us to respond.

Intro: There was a rumor circulating in Washington some time ago that Osama Bin Laden had died and gone to Heaven. As the story goes, when he arrived in Paradise, Osama was greeted by George Washington who slapped him across the face and yelled, "How dare you attack the nation I helped conceive!" ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Our God Of Above And Beyond

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 25, 2005

When we expect great things from God and are prepared to be part of His kingdom work of seeking and saving that which is lost. He will do things beyond our imagination to enable and propel us for His Glory.

Intro: Writing Ephesians probably from a place of house arrest Paul is trying to encourage the Christians in Ephesus to love God and love one another. The reason is that the love of God and love of the brethren will unify the body of Christ. In this letter we see that the first prayer for the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Truth About Idol's: Tearing Down Americas False Idols

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 28, 2005

Idolatry is not just bowing down or offering sacrifices to a false God. It is anything that takes your trust and or loyalty away from the true living God. Idolary is at oppostion and inconsittent with Jesus, Idolatry is participation with demons, Idolatr

Intro: When we think about Idol worship in America I would think that most people think of Native American Totem poles, Buddhists, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greeks and Romans. Idolatry is not limited to simply bowing down before graven images, or burning incense or offering gifts to a physical ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Condition, The Cure, & The Crowd

Contributed by Billy Short on Sep 29, 2005

The greatest need of the church is revival. Are we willing to press through the crowd and place our selves at the feet of Jesus to receive it.

ƒ²ƒâƒßƒßƒÛƒØƒÙƒÜƒÜƒnƒ²ƒÑƒàƒäƒÙƒãƒäƒnƒ³ƒØƒåƒâƒÓƒØ ¡§The Condition, the Cure, the Crowd¡¨ Mark 5:24-34 Pastor Billy T. Short - October 2, 2005 Exciting day for us. Prayers have been answered. We needed a Spanish ministry. God has answered that prayer by bringing New Dawning Baptist Church to merge ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Center Of Your Universe

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 1, 2005

Our society says that we should focus on our self. Reaching our highest potential, getting all we can out of life. Paul however tells us that life should be Son centered. 3 types of people with 3 different Goals only one fufills lifes purpose centering

Intro: Something about Copernicus and goals. Aristotle and Ptolemy among others (including the RCC) adhered to the Earth centered model of our galaxy However when someone gets comfortable there is always called in (it seems) an agent of change. Along comes Copernicus he was not willing to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

Stephen: Giving His Life And Death For Christ Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 1, 2005

Stephens character was shown by Dr Luke in Acts 6. In Acts 7 we see that character lived out as he lives for Christ and because of his witness becomes the first to die for Christ.

Intro: Last week we learned about the character of a Godly man. We learned about Stephen. Stephen was the first martyr for Christ and what an example to follow! Stephen was not only the first martyr for Christ, but many Scholars and preachers also credit him with being the first Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Baptist

Principles For Applying Our Freedom For God's Glory

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 2, 2005

We are created to give God glory. In the perfect law of liberty our ability to choose to give glory to God and honor Him or reject Him. A simple look at how we can use our liberty for His glory.

Intro: How many can remember Patrick Henry’s words? “Give me Liberty or Give me death.” There is much tied up in His words. Most often we think of liberty as something that allows us to choose to do the things we want. But we will find in the passage tonight liberty is also given to us so that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Death In The Eye

Contributed by Billy Short on Oct 6, 2005

We will all face death. How do we prepare for it.

ƒ²ƒâƒßƒßƒÛƒØƒÙƒÜƒÜƒnƒ²ƒÑƒàƒäƒÙƒãƒäƒnƒ³ƒØƒåƒâƒÓƒØ ¡§Looking Death in the Eye¡¨ Hebrew 9:27 Billy T. Short, Pastor ¡V October 9, 2005 Christopher Short was 2 months old when it happened to him. Kevin Lott was 7 years old, riding a bike with his sister in the yard when it happened to him. Mike Black, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Baptist

To Love Honor And Obey Series

Contributed by Billy Noel on Dec 12, 2006

Keys to a successful marriage

To Love, Honor, and Obey? Ephesians 5: 21-28 What is the Primary Source of problems in the Marriage? As Paul wrote these words family life in the Roman Empire was in a shambles, divorce and adultery were running rampant and marriage was in danger of a complete and utter breakdown. Men didn’t want ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-28

Denomination: Christian Church

Identity: Live Like You Mean It Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 8, 2009

After having learned who we are in christ in the first three chapters now we know right belief. Paul begins the last three chapters of Ephesians with right behavior. It begins with unity and leads to maturity.

Intro: Bruce Howell tells of “I Can’t Change Jesus” Bill Irwin, a man who is blind, has a talking computer he uses to study the Bible. He’s had a few chuckles over some of the pronunciations. "For a long time," Bill says, "the computer pronounced Holy Bible as ’holly bibble’ until I figured out ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross: Where Jesus Died

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 6, 2009

Has the cross become too cultural. Is it more popular than powerful. The cross is where jesus died.

Intro: Is it possible that we have become too familiar with the cross? Is it possible that it has become more popular than powerful? Is it possible that the cross is more cultural than critical to the salvation of people separated by from the life of God? The cross doesn’t seem to be as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Curse: Why Jesus Died Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 6, 2009

We see in the Bible that the curse is why Jesus died. To remove the curse of sin and death. We will also see the cross where Jesus died and the Crown why Jesus lives.

Intro: Paul’s letter to the Galatians is addressing what man seems always to do. Either add to or take away from God’s word. It began in the garden with Adam and Eve. Adam disregarded God’s word and Eve added to it. I’ve got to quote John Piper, “Satan is continuously at work tempting us to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Big Deal About Worship?

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 2, 2008

The church culture of today has so allowed the culture around us to shape the way we do things. The customer satisfaction mentality has invaded our churches. We have to be sure not to offend anyone and worship is all about them. Here in Isaiah we see t

Intro: In Isaiah 6 we see the call and commissioning of Isaiah the prophet. We do not know but we assume that Isaiah was in the earthly temple. However, the temple described in verse 1 is the heavenly temple. In the year King Uzziah died. It would be like saying in the year Pearl Harbor was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Call To Worship

Contributed by Billy Noel on Dec 4, 2006

This a challenge to believers to bring God Back to the center of our lives

A Call to Worship I Chronicles 15-16 Create/Prepare a Place for worship 1 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. He acknowledged the presence of God For the first time the service of praise was now ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Garments Of Righteousness

Contributed by Billy Noel on Dec 4, 2006

The garment of Righteousness protects us from the tactics of the evil one

The Garment of Righteousness Ephesians 4: 17-32 Syrianna……Arabs Righteousness Position-State of being Rom.4:6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Christian Church