Sermons on Billy Joel:

Building The City Of God In The City Of Man Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 18, 2011

Nehemiah is often used to encouarge congregations to build a building. What Nehemiah did was encourage the remnant to rebuild the people and the walls of the city.

Intro: Nehemiah has always been used by pastors/teachers to encourage church congregations to build new facilities and buildings. I believe that a major portion of what is going on in Nehemiah is missed if we focus on building physically and miss out on building spiritually. Jesus said in ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Battlefield Communication: Prayer Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 13, 2014

Prayer is personal constant communication with our heavenly Father and holy Commander in chief. We cannot stand as Paul tells us unless we are connected in communication by prayer.

Intro: A man’s wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to our six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I wouldn't know what to say," she replied. "Just say what you hear mommy say," the wife said. The daughter bowed her head and said: "Dear ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

All To The Glory Of God

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 15, 2014

The biggest problem in churches today is not personnel, property, potential or financial. It is that we are too self consumed that we are not consumed and concerned with the Glory of God.

Intro: Dr. S.M. Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego CA from 1953 - 1993. He entered heaven in 2000. He is well-known for a passage out of his sermon titled “He’s My King”: “He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Denomination: Baptist

Gratitude Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 26, 2014

We live in a wrecked world politically, emotionally, family, mentally. However we don't have to live with a wrecked attitude. Ungratefulness will sabotage and strangle the full life that Jesus promises us. Begin with being grateful and you will be full

Intro: It is not hard to see that we live in a broken and wrecked world. God told us that this would happen. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12 He said that as the end draws near because lawlessness is increased the love of many will grow cold. It is very obvious we live in a wrecked world. Wrecked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Baptist

Commitment Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 3, 2014

Jesus is calling the church to commitment. We are committed to our sports teams, hunting, fishing, pleasure and entertainment. Jesus calls for commitment and repentance. It is a call for being in the world but not of the world.

Intro: The words that Jesus share with the church in Laodicea are hard words. Sometimes it takes hard words to awaken those asleep. It will help us understand Jesus words if we know more about the city the church was in. The city of Laodicea was founded by Antiochus II in 253 B.C. It was named ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

Courage Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 16, 2014

Courage is not the absence of fear. Biblical courage is facing your fears with the power of God's word and the presence of God's Spirit. These are applied to our lives to give us freedom.

Intro: One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't dear. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

This Is The Way Walk In It

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 3, 2015

Sermon preached before VBS 2015

Intro: This passage comes from a promise to the people of Judah (The southern kingdom of the nation of Israel) they are told that when they were comfortable they would not hear God’s word or the voices of their teachers. God knew the tendency of the heart of the Children of Israel. He ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:21

Denomination: Baptist

Choose The End Is Near Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 9, 2015

God has his hand firmly on history. Prophecy calls us to choose what we trust in. Do we trust the God of money, such as retirement, investment. Do we trust the God of comfort etc. We are called by the still small voice of God to trust and obey Him.

Intro: Bob Deffinbaugh tells a funny memory about chapter 11. He opened up an old Bible he had from Bible college and was reading notes in chapter 10 and finally got to 11 and one of his daughters had scribbled all over the pages of chapter 11. He wondered when the Lord returned if all of the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 11:2-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Point Of Prophecy Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 26, 2015

The point of prophecy is to point us toward God. The point of Daniel's prophecy isn't necessarily profound but it is very practical. No matter what happens go you way until the end. It is a call to be faithful in the face of all circumstances in Christ

Intro: When we began this study on Daniel you were encouraged that because God is in control you can live righteously or Godly in this wicked world. You should also remember that the prophecies were written not to satisfy your curiosity but to strengthen your faith. God is in control and ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Emotional Freedom Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 26, 2015

There is a great disconnect today between faith and a vital relationship with Jesus. You don't have to look far to see the results. Riots, rage, racial division. When our emotions control us we miss out on the freedom Jesus promised.

Passion: The Holy Spirits Power to Handle your Emotions Emotional Freedom Intro: What do you think of to fill in the blank when I say, Emotions are out of __________ today. In 2002 George Barna conducted various studies that showed how much Americans identified faith as a key factor in their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Pattern For Powerful Personal Relationships Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 28, 2014

If you have ever wanted to know what it looked like to live a resurrected life Paul gives the pattern here. God not only redeems and restores our relationship with Him but also with others. Live this pattern to powerfully display Jesus.

Intro: Tomorrow is Memorial Day. We will celebrate those that have served in the United States Military because their service and many their sacrifice purchased the freedom to stand or sit or sing or speak today. There are many ways we could come up with to honor their memory, service and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Pattern For Powerful Personal Relationships (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 2, 2014

Paul begins this section of scripture with since you have received all that Jesus purchased and assuming you learned of Him by experience you should have a different lifestyle than the lost. Your life should be characterized by hard work and helpful words

Intro: This week we continue the second part of Pattern for Powerful Personal Relationships. We continue to see the pattern that reveals the resurrection life in us. This is the explanation of John 13:35 “by this they will know that you are my disciples.” If we love the Lord Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Fatherhood Of God Displayed In Earthly Daddies

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 12, 2014

God commands us to train our children. We see in this command a blueprint and recipe for changing our families and our city. The Spirit empowers us to love and discipline our children as a loving Father like God.

Intro: A four-year-old boy was eating an apple in the back seat of the car, when he asked, "Daddy, why is my apple turning brown?" "Because," his dad explained, "after you ate the skin off, the meat of the apple came into contact with the air, which caused it to oxidize, thus ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Celebrating Our Independence By Imitating God

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 4, 2014

How should we celebrate our independence from sin? Paul gives us the way in Ephesians 5 as beloved children Imitate God." If this were our focus as churches we would see revival, lives filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and transformation in lives

Intro: This Friday was the Fourth of July. The Fourth celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 and freedom from the cruel rule of the British Empire. It is marked with Bar B Que, fireworks and going to the lake. Paul is calling us to a similar celebration in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

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