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

Character Trait: Seeing And Living The Supernatural Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 22, 2013

The supernatural is not always spectacular. Sometimes God works supernaturally in the natural. Some examples are marriages restored, addictions undone, attitudes remade. Character and conduct are conformed to Jesus.

Intro: The supernatural is not always spectacular. Sometimes God works supernaturally in the natural. Some examples are marriages restored, addictions undone, attitudes remade. There is something that is very dangerous today. The supernatural has become twisted to be vampires, zombies, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-43

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait: Unity Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 26, 2013

One accord does not mean the early church was traveling in a Honda. They were moving together as one because they were moved by the same Spirit. Unity in the body of Christ is serious business. Because unity in the church springs from the heart of God

Intro: One accord does not mean the early church was traveling in a Honda. They were moving together as one because they were moved by the same Spirit. Acts 2:44 “Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.” Remember 1 Corinthians 1:10 “I have a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait 9: Joy Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 25, 2013

Joy is one of the essential marks of God’s Spirit ruling and reigning in us. Read this sermon to find out how joy will grow in us as we apply the principles taught in God's word about Joy!

Intro: Joy is not syrupy or sappy, sentimental or seasonal. Joy is not happiness, because happiness depends on what happens to you. Joy is also not the absence of sorrow. Joy is a vivid emotion of pleasure or state of being highly delighted. Where does this state or emotion come from? Joy is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait 10: A Healthy Church Is A Worshipping Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 30, 2013

Worship is announcing and affirming God’s worth. Why is Jesus worthy of bowing our lives before Jesus in worhsip? He is God and He alone died for our sins, defeated death, hell and the grave and invites us to worship Him alone!

Intro: Have you heard about the recent experience of a pastor who changed the order of worship so that the sermon was given before the offering was taken. This upset a four year old who asked her mother, "Why is he talking before he gets paid?" (The child had a misunderstanding of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-46

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

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

Hot Dog Song

Contributed by Billy Blackmon on Feb 19, 2010

We must get excited about worshiping God

Pastor Tom Wallace shares an event that took place in his church, Bible Baptist Church in Elkton, Maryland. "The Sunday morning service was just ready to begin when in came a man who had never attended our church before. He looked around with awe and amazement at the great number of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of The Lord

Contributed by Billy Blackmon on Feb 19, 2010

Four occasions when the Joy of the Lord is my strength

A young couple arrived in Kenya as newly appointed missionaries, and very quickly, the wife found out that the comforts of home were non-existent there. They lived in a village hut with no running water or electricity. They had to take a bath in a nearby creek. There was no air conditioning. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Baptist

Living In God's Presence Following God's Guidance

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 8, 2010

There is a promised provided in this proverb. If we take God at HIs word and live in HIs presence, we can take advantage of His promises, and take serious HIs direction.

Intro: What is the greatest promise in the entire Bible? The greatest promise in all the Bible is the one that we take the most for granted. It is the promise God’s presence. Many read the Bible but not to hear God’s voice. Many pray but not to bathe in God’s presence. Many ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

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