Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Responsibility Of The Redeemed Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 3, 2013

As followers of Christ acting naturally will lead to falling and failing. Our old nature tends toward rebellion not obedience. Paul is encouraging us to fuflill our responsiblity and cooperate with God to grow and mature in Christ.

Intro: There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her, "Little girl, don't you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn't beautiful like the one you're wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing." To which ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Up Joy Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 16, 2013

God has given us everything to face this life with the joy of His presence and promises. Living in Joy comes no more naturally than not murmuring or grumbling. God offers us joy it is up to us to live in joy and peace.

Intro: At St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, there is only one door into the sanctuary. Over that door is a hand lettered sign that reads, “Servant’s Entrance.” There isn’t any way in or out of that church except through the servant’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

'tis The Season To Be Expectant And Jubilant Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 2, 2016

Our expectations can bring limitations on people or on God. Jesus works in the realm of faith. He freely limits Himself based on our expectations of Him. It is our expectations of His faithfulness that create and sustain Joy in us.

Intro: Harvard social psychologist Robert Rosenthal’s classic did a study of children to see how they responded to expectations. All the children in one San Francisco grade school were given a standard I.Q. test at the beginning of the school year. The teachers were told the test could ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Let Jesus Build Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 3, 2016

Jesus promised to build His church not out of brick and mortar but out of flesh and blood. He builds HIs using living stones. What tools does Jesus use in order to build His Church. Are we helping or hindering the master builder. Find out inside.

Intro: Jesus promised to build His church. Matthew 16:13-18 He made it clear that He would build His church. He builds it on the confession that He is Lord. But what type of building is He building and what type of materials is He using? Jesus is building a spiritual temple and a holy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Let Jesus Build Part 2 Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 14, 2016

Part 2 of Jesus promising to build His Church. We are dead dirt what tools does Jesus use to make us living stones?

Intro: A little bit of review. The big thing we were told last week is that Jesus made a promise. We already know that Jesus is a promise keeper. Our God is a promise keeping God. He promised in the moment that you chose to rebel and sin you will die. Every single day almost every minute that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Disarming Our Fears Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 1, 2016

Fear has a way of consuming and controlling our lives as humans. Perfect love is the only thing that casts out fear. When we discover that we were chosen by God in Christ fear may be real in our lives but it will never rule our lives.

Intro: Fear has been a part of the human struggle since Adam and Eve first disobeyed God in the beginning. The first thing they did when God called them was to hide. Genesis 3:10 I hid because I was afraid! Everyone that is honest is afraid of something. Our fears may be reasonable or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Baptist

Contentment The Solution For Our Fears Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 6, 2016

Hebrews tells us that Jesus is better. When we are content in Jesus our fears fade and our faith is fortified. Find out what amazing results happen when we learn to be satisfied with Jesus!

Intro: A man said to his wife just before an important engagement, "I'm so nervous, I've got sweaty palms and a dry mouth." His wife replied, "Then why don't you lick your palms?" - See more at: http://hotsermons.com/sermon-illustrations/sermon-illustrations-fear.html#sthash.TkVMYHyc.dpuf That ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence: God's Replacement For Our Anxiety Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 21, 2016

God wants to replace our anxiety with confidence. God wants us to trust Him more than we fear people or circumstances.

Intro: According to the February 10, 2015 Huffington Post blot Valentine’s Day is big business. It grosses 17 Billion dollars. That is somewhere near 140.00 per person. I am so glad that God didn’t just buy us chocolate and flowers to show that He loved us. When we hear the most ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Church And Its Purpose: Make Disciples Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 14, 2012

Our purpose as a body of believers is not missions. As John Piper said our purpose is worship. We are commanded to make disciples by Jesus. Disciplees should be followers, learners, worshippers.

Intro: There is a call for a moral revival and change in congress and the white house that people believe would turn the nation of the United States around. Don’t get me wrong please I believe we are to be Salt and light. Salt slows down the decay of things and light reveals things. As ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

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 Result Of Worship Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 1, 2015

Worship is bowing down our lives before Jesus. This bowing of our lives before Him should make us like Him. Find out how.

Intro: We learned a few weeks ago that the chief business of the church is to worship God. I want to remind you that the main words used to speak of worship in the New and Old Testaments carry the idea of bowing down. Our lives as individuals and as a whole as a church body are to be bowed down ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist