Sermons on Billy Joel:

Character Trait 10: A Healthy Church Is A Worshipping Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 30, 2013

Worship is announcing and affirming God’s worth. Why is Jesus worthy of bowing our lives before Jesus in worhsip? He is God and He alone died for our sins, defeated death, hell and the grave and invites us to worship Him alone!

Intro: Have you heard about the recent experience of a pastor who changed the order of worship so that the sermon was given before the offering was taken. This upset a four year old who asked her mother, "Why is he talking before he gets paid?" (The child had a misunderstanding of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-46

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Christmas: God’s Glory Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 31, 2012

Our goal should be to reveal and reflect the person and reputation of God in everything we do. To live for God’s glory is to live our lives in such a way that His reputation is enhanced among men. Christmas is about God’s Glory!

Intro: When we think of the birth of Jesus it would be best to think of His entrance into this world as History. Why? It is His story of how God came entered the world and paid for the penalty of mans sin for His glory. Look at Luke 2.14 as the Angelic host proclaimed the theme and ending of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Of Christmas: Salvation Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 31, 2012

During a time of great pressure during Ahaz reign over Judah God promised a sign of deliverance. That sign has its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Christmas promise. Immanuel, God with us.

Intro: God has a promise for every pain, pressure, and problem we face. Ahaz and the southern nation of Judah was in a very pressing situation in this passage. The northern kingdom of Israel ( Ephraim) and the kingdom of Syria (Aram) had formed an alliance to resist Assyria to the northeast. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About Jesus Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 15, 2013

We as Christians have the truth found in the person of Jesus Christ. What is the problem in communicating that truth? Many people in our culture and world today don't even know the question to ask so that we can give the answer in Jesus.

Intro: As the new year approaches we need more than ever to know who we are and what we are supposed to be about. We know in the great commandment we are told to Love God with every fiber of our being, and love each other with every fiber of our being. We also know in the Great Commission we are ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait: Devotion To God's Word Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 15, 2013

From the words of Jesus it is clear that His desire and design for the body of Christ is health. For the church to be healhty there must be rebirth and remodelling. Spiritual health does not happen accidentally. It takes devotion to the health plan God

Intro: If you remember from last time we are called and commanded to experience and share the truth of who Jesus is. There is something that is absolutely necessary if we are going to live the Great Commandment of Love God with everything and loving others with everything. We must be healthy as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait: Fellowship: Cultivating Life In Common Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 20, 2013

Fellowship with believers is not an option. It is in real relationships and connection with other believers that we are built up, encouraged, enriched to grow in relationship to fellows believers and representing Jesus Christ.

Intro: In Paul’s and Peter’s letters we are called living stones and a Holy Tabernacle where the Holy Spirit lives. If you remember from last week the proper and stable construction of that place for the Holy Spirit to live doesn’t happen by accident. Jesus desired then and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait: Devotion To Prayer Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 28, 2013

God has offered to us intense intimacy and amazing power through prayer. The key to our churches being kingdom minded and eternally effective is are we willing? Are you willing to invest in the most the chruch can do.

Intro: Remember that the church is not built strong and healthy by accident. It is also no accident that there are so many churches that are not strong or healthy in the 21 century. I believe there is one major reason that the church in the west is so weak and unstable. It is a lack of prayer. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

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

Correction For A Corrupt Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 26, 2012

Paul teaches the Corinthians and us that our position in Christ should have a practical impact on our daily lifestyle.

Intro: The culture of the Corinthians – sexual immorality and cultural diversity. The context (occasion of the letter) – The immoral conduct of the Corinthians was reflective of the culture instead of Christ. (Our culture and context isn’t much different) 1) Paul wanted to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist