Sermons on Billy Joel:

Character Trait: Humility Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 3, 2013

Humility goes hand in had with a healthy church. A church that makes little of themselves can make much of God. What is humilty and how can we practically be humble?

Intro: On Christmas afternoon, the Pastor’s wife dropped into an easy chair saying, "Boy! Am I ever tried." Her husband looked over at her & said, "I had to conduct two special services last night, three today, & give a total of five sermons. Why are you so tired?" "Dearest," she replied, "I had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-42

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 Cure For The Common Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 8, 2012

Don't try to hide the fact you have quarrels and fights. Deal with the fact that there is divisions and disagreement. Divisions distract us. Learn the principles that can be the cure for the common church.

Intro: What is it that causes fights and quarrels or division? We see division in families, marriages, teams, governments, and of course churches? Why? Listen to what James the brother of Jesus has to say. James 4.1-3 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren’t they caused ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross God's Power To Live Wisely Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 15, 2012

Wisdom is the God given ability to apply God's truth to our daily living in obedience. If we are truly wise we will live Godly lives

Intro: Remember what we have learned about the Corinthians. They were arrogant and prideful. They tucked their thumbs under their suspenders and bragged about things they had no control over. Who baptized them, what their gifts were. We must always remember that as Paul said in 1 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdoms Work: Maturity Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 22, 2012

Paul gives a roadmap to maturity. God's desire and goal that is revealed throughout the New Testament is maturity. Maturity is likeness to Jesus Christ. We as the church need to ask is wisdom working are we becoming more like Jesus.

Intro: What signs are the Corinthians showing? Division, arrogance, an extreme focus on what they can do? They are immature believers. Paul desires that they will grow and mature. God also wants us to grow and mature and the way that happens is God’s wisdom and the working of His Holy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Favor Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 3, 2012

God gives us grace to forgive our sins. But how many of us miss out on His favor for daily living because we ignore His promises and principles revealed in the Bible. We need to see God clearly and apply His truths daily.

Intro: I remember my brother in law Curtis coming up with the best app of all time. There was a bug on the wall and he grabbed his phone and said “I got an app for that,” and proceeded to smash the bug with his phone. With the introduction of the I Phone, I Pad and all the smart phones and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Peace Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 14, 2012

There is a great misunderstanding of true peace. Peace is not the absence of problems. It is instead God's power to live through and above those problems. God gives us wholeness when He indwells believers with His Holy Spirit.

Intro: A therapist told their patient the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what they start. So far today, they finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake. They said, “I feel better already.” There are lots of people giving advice and writing books about peace today. ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 17, 2012

There is a misunderstanding of joy. Joy is not giddy or goofy Christians. Instead Joy is the pleasure of the presence of God in your life. The world may work against but if God is for you the Joy of the Lord is your strength! Explains what is needed f

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. Psalm 16:11 “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Denomination: Baptist

Selfcontrol: The Discipline Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 25, 2012

We are told that we are more than victorius through Christ. If that is so then why do so many Christ followers seem to have defeat and not victory. Because the only place victory comes before work is in the dictionary. A forgotten or ignored fruit of t

Intro: Have you ever looked for victory in your spiritual life but had it vanish like a mist of fog? Are you searching for what it means to be more than a conqueror but feel conquered most of the time? Do you sing victory in Jesus and really don’t believe that it’s possible. If you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance: The Forgotten Fruit Of God's Grace

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 31, 2008

People look at the church and cry superficial. Why is that? I believe because it is we have forgotten that saving faith leads to repentant lives. One fruit that has fallen off the faith tree is repentance.

Intro: There are people that look at the church today and cry hypocrites. One reason is they don’t understand we are sinners that are saved by grace. It is the grace of God that makes us saints not the acts of men. Another reason is that the church has become superficial! Paul told timothy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17

Denomination: Baptist