Sermons on Billy Joel:

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

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

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

The Resurrection: It’s Reality And Our Response

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 14, 2015

The resurrection shows us the overwhelming grace of God and the overwhelming humaneness of man. The disciples were afraid and confused after the death of Jesus. Look deep in the tomb and see the reality of the resurrection and the response it requires

Intro: I heard about a church organist who overslept one Easter morning. She said, "The service was scheduled for 6:30. At 6:31, the minister called to see if I was coming. Since I live near the church, I was at the organ by 6:45. Then, a year later on Easter morning my phone rang at 5:45. When I ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Testimony Of A Pagan King Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 20, 2015

There is a great lesson to learn and live in this 4th chapter of Daniel. It is repeated at least 3 times. Heaven Rules! God is able to humble the proud. God gives warnings to offer grace but we must humble ourselves under His Rule.

Intro: Welcome back to Daniel. We are looking forward to the end. I pray that you are excited to someday see Jesus return in the clouds for His church. Some things to remember as we continue our study of Daniel. Daniel answers many questions for us about the past and the future. However, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 4:1-37, Daniel 4:28-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Best Defense The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 21, 2014

The breastplate of righteousness. Faith our trust in God and love our choosing to share with others the hope of the gospel. Paul says, Put it on!!! We find out why and how it protects us from the advances and attacks of the enemy in this message.

Intro: When you read about the breastplate of righteousness you find a discussion and disagreement about whether the righteousness that Paul is speaking about is imputed righteousness or imparted righteousness. Imputed righteousness is what we get when we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior and are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Warfare The Belt Of Truth Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 26, 2014

Government says taxation, environmentalists say population, politicians say legislation, taxation and education. All of their strategies are wrong. The gospel and truth of Jesus says the solution to our problems is transformation.

Intro: The government is looking for ways to save entitlement programs and the only place they look is more taxation. The environmentalists are looking for ways to save the planet and the only thing they can come up with is lower population. Politicians are looking to solve our illegal alien ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Shield Of Faith Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 7, 2014

Faith is taking God at His Word! When you believe what God says is true you behave how God tells you. When we live as like God is telling the truth not one fiery dart of the devil can find its mark! We are protected by our faith and trust in Jesus!

Intro: A preacher an evangelist and a priest went out in a boat fishing on the lake. The preacher needed to go to the bathroom so he got up got out of the boat walked on the water to shore and walked back the same way. The evangelist also had to go relieve himself got up out of the boat and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:16

Denomination: Baptist

The Helmet Of Salvation Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 14, 2014

The devil gets to us most effectively through the gateway of our minds. On the battlefield of life we must have our heads protected to ward of our enemies deadly blows. The helmet protects our thoughts but it also perfects our thoughts.

Intro: Do you ever think about what you think about? No. Usually we just think. Turn to a friend and tell them the last thing you thought about last night before falling asleep and the first thing you thought about this morning. Sometimes we have very little control over our thoughts; they ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah's Song Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 29, 2013

We too often believe the lie that things are meant to destroy us. Whether a violent storm or big fish what we think is meant to destroy us is actually designed by God to develop us.

Intro: Think about this as we look at chapter 2 of Jonah. What did Jonah deserve? He deserved to be a man taco for a big fish. What did he get? God’s mercy. Jonah had already received God’s grace. God did not completely destroy Jonah or the Ship in the violent storm. God as a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist