Sermons on Billy Joel:

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

The Church Moving Forward With Its Mission

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 10, 2005

When a church is on mission for Christ there are three things the devil wants to do to its members and its body. Embarass, Imprison, and Embalm you. But God will do three things if we are on Mission for Him. Encourage, Empower, and Enrich our lives.

Intro: When a church has seen no one “won” or witnessed to the Lord Jesus Christ it will be left alone by the devil. However, if the church is not fulfilling its mission of sharing its faith with the lost the Lord Jesus Christ will correct it. Whether it is financial difficulty, terrible ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

False Faith/Counterfeit Christianity

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 15, 2005

Simon the sorcerer is an illustration of Counterfeit Christianity or false faith. It begins with a false self perception, and foolish pride. Trying to show folks that the rituals we use in the church do not save, instead it is the life changing presence

Intro: Online Encyclopedia, Wikipedia this to say about Counterfits “Today the finest counterfeit banknotes are claimed to be U.S. dollar bills produced in North Korea, which are used to finance the North Korean government, among other uses. The fake North Korean copies are called Superdollars ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

God's Promises For The New Year

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 9, 2005

New years resolutions are promises most often broken. We as human beings do not in ourselves have the power to keep all our promises. But God as the ever true, just, creator keeps His promises to others and us, always.

Intro: New Year’s resolutions are promises that are more often broken than kept. We as human beings do not in ourselves have the power to keep our promises or covenants. But God as the ever true, just creator, always keeps His promises to others and us. So let us focus on the promise of God on ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9, Philippians 4:19

Denomination: Baptist

Dispelling Discouragement

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 9, 2005

Losing Heart today is easy. What is loosing heart, we today know it better as discouragement. Jesus speaks some things to us to despell discrouagement. Jesus speaks peace, Jesus speaks encouragement, Jesus speaks triuph.

Losing heart in today’s world can be easy. We know losing heart better as discouragement. Discouragement often will come from listening to someone else’s wrong view of reality. Discouragement can also be brought on by ourself. Discouragement is like a disease that can infest our lives. The ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Baptist

Our Attitude For The Lord's Supper

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 5, 2005

There are disputes over how often we observe the Lord’s supper, disputes over what type of bread, what type of wine, or juice to use. But there should be no dispute that we should observe the Lord’s supper in a right attitude!

A.T. Pierson (A pastor in the 1800’s) The link between the cross and the crown is the Table of the Lord. Do not forget when you sit down at the communion, that the bread and cup point back to Christ’s accomplished work, and forward to your accomplished salvation. I. Our attitude should be one of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

Valentine Dreams

Contributed by Billy Blackmon on Feb 14, 2005

This sermon provides five principles necessary to keep love strong in a marriage relationship

Valentine Dreams Philippians 2:1-2 Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and with love in the air, many couples have found themselves saying “I do” to each other. But unlike years gone by, few if any left their reception with a shower of rice. By the mid-1990s, it was common knowledge that the uncooked ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Eating Green Beans

Contributed by Billy Blackmon on Feb 17, 2005

We are commanded to be thankful for any difficulties (green beans) that come our way.

Thanking God for Green Beans Luke 17.11-19 Six green beans sat on his daughter’s plate, untouched. Mike Benson says that sort of thing usually didn’t bother him, but that night it did. “Eat your green beans,” he told the eight-year-old. “Dad, I’m full to the top.” “You won’t pop,” he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Loving God's Way

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 20, 2005

Is it possible to describe the awesome character of God with one Word. All that he was, is, and shall be. Yes!!! 1 John 4.8 "God is love" This examines God as the source of love, our fruit of love, confidence in love, and conviction of love.

How in one word could you sum up all that is God? Can you this morning think of one word or a phrase that completely and adequately tells us who God is? Is it possible you say? Can you so simply state the totality of who God is? Is it possible to communicate the infinite unending; graciousness, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Is Love

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 3, 2006

A Valentines Day sermon. Many today think that love is a word that we use about something we like or desire. However God’s law is love, and it is commanded in His word to no love inward (ourself) but love upward and outward.

Intro: I found a great picture of the problem of man and the church in of all places Wal-Mart. I was walking by jewelry last Friday after lunch time and saw a shirt that was most interesting. It was interesting because of how little it said, but also how much it said. It carried the simple words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-46

Denomination: Baptist

The Potential Of An Unlimited Life Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 12, 2006

To Christian "in Christ" an invitation is given to unlimited life. Unlimited life is a gift from God -- Grace, Unlimited Life comes from the presence of God -- Peace, Unlimited Life comes from our position with God -- Place (standing)

Intro: Life unlimited has Christ as its center. The false teachers in Colosse are trying to move the church from its center. Paul is teaching them how to deal with the false teachers. Colossians 2.20 “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why as if you were ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Identity Of A Carpenter

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 12, 2006

Most important question of our day and our life is who is this man Jesus? Three biblical answers, He is Sovereign, He is Savior, His is Shepard

Intro: It is the most important question of our day. Movies like the Da Vinchi code, Discovery specials, and time magazine articles are all saying who is this man? Are you ready to give them and accurate and timely response? Paul said we should always be ready to give a reason for the hope ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Pattern Of An Unlimited Life Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 23, 2006

The apostle Paul prays a wonderful prayer for the Colossians in Colossians chapter 1. In this prayer we see the pattern for living life unlimited. It is a life that is filled, faithful, fruitful, fearful, and forceful for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Intro: As the pastor’s wife lets out the dog: “Remember, Beauregard, you’re the pastor’s dog; all the other dogs will be watching you.” —Cartoonist Rob Suggs The pastor’s dog will impact the way people see the pastor today and relate to him tomorrow. God’s church will impact the way people see ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-9

Denomination: Baptist