Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 6, 2010

It is the burdern of cross that the Son of Man carried. Not the wooden beam. It is the godless attitudes that result in Godless living that caused Jesus to go to the cross. Jesus took the burden so we could expereience the break through of the resurrec

Intro: How can we bring Christianity, or being a Christ follower to its most basic components? How can we simplify it to the point that children can understand? We do as the Bible does. In Genesis there is no argument for God merely a statement of truth. “In the beginning God ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God Wants Your Heart Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 25, 2012

The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God in the heart of His people. God wants your heart. It is from the heart that the issues of life flow.

Intro: Jesus told a group of people if I force or cast out demons by the power of God then the kingdom of God has come to you. What is the kingdom of God? It is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ over all areas of life. Jesus doesn’t just wish to rule over the fallen angels. He desires ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:6

Denomination: Baptist

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 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

Remember Him! Series

Contributed by Billy Noel on Dec 6, 2009

We are so caught up with the sights and sounds of Christmas and we often forget who it is about.

Luke 22:14-20 Illustration: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington Va.) In life everyone wants to be remembered, but many people live and are forgotten when they die Traveling 288 on any given Saturday you will see a hearse and maybe a family car which may suggest that the deceased was unknown ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

Denomination: Christian Church

Gifts Of Recognition

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 21, 2007

The wise men came to Jesus bearing gifts. The gifts recognize who Jesus was. They recognized him as divine, king, with their gifts. How do you recognize Jesus with what you give to Him and others?

ntro: The background of this story would make any modern day soap opera, or prime time drama writer drool. The wise men meet with a self-absorbed, psychopath by the name of Herod the Great. He was a level headed, friend of the Romans who brought stability to the economy of Judea and built for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Word Six: Life Is Precious Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 13, 2008

Thou shall not kill. In this word we learn that life is precious to God. He never talks about quality of life, young or old. All human life is precious to God almighty. He Gave His only son that in Him we might have life. Not life qualified by adject

Intro: We have learned that the ten words call us not to mental acknowledgement but moral agreement. If there was one of the ten that would be a no brainer it would be the sixth. In the King James it merely says don’t kill. Almost every other version translates these two words in Hebrew thou ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:13

Denomination: Baptist

Word Seven: Faithful Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 13, 2008

God gave all good things for us to enjoy. However God gave boundaries for all the good things. Sex and sexaual intimacy were divinely desinged to be enjoyed within the confines of the covenant commitment of marriage. This commandments is clear be faith

Intro: If you were to talk to the normal person on the street about marital faithfulness they would probably laugh you off the sidewalk. Yet God shows us again and again that the roadway to a healthy marriage must be paved with sexual fidelity. It is amazing to me that God can take math and turn ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Ready For Great Things

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 29, 2007

Are you tired of merely making it. Do you wish to do great things? We must realize that Jesus said we would do great things. He clearly tells us in John 14 that great things come from a personal, practical, patterened, powerful faith in a great God.

Intro: This is a wonderful passage. It is a passage that is full of Jesus. Jesus is comforting His disciples who are just beginning to realize he is going to die. Thomas says we don’t know the way Lord and Jesus says I am the way. Philip is looking for a spectacular sign and Jesus just wants ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Filled Life Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 2, 2014

The Spirit filled life is not simply about spouting Spiritual garbage. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to control every area of your life. Come and see how that works out practically

Info: Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, "Why do we need this 'Mr. Moody'? He's uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?" A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, "No, but the Holy ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Strategy: Learning God’s Way To Win Spiritual Warfare Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 8, 2014

We are at War! When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are commissioned to stand in a battle. Victory only comes when we know who and how we face the battle.

Intro: Video intro from sermon Spice – Spiritual Warfare What are the three biggest mistakes you can make in warfare? 1) Not knowing you enemies strategy 2) Not having a strategy of your own 3) Not knowing you are at war. Paul has told us about riches of being in God’s family and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist