Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Joy Of Humility Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 7, 2013

Paul reminds us there is one reason to be glad, the grace, mercy, and forgiveness purchased by Jesus Christ. He is also calling us to beware. The devil steals, kills, and tries to destroy joy. Be glad about Jesus beware of the joy stealers.

Intro: Alien cover ups, Kennedy conspiracy, Kardashians, Kanye, Beyoncé and royal babies. What we discover is that our world is full of people with itching ears for something new, something they have never heard before. It amazes me that people seem to come to conferences, classes and revivals ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Voice Of Christmas

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 3, 2013

There are so many sounds and voices that bombard us during the thanksgiving and Christmas season. We need to make time to hear the voice of Christmas over the noise of daily life.

Intro: There are so many things we hear at this time of year. Good sayings like “Merry Christmas,” Good songs like “Silent Night,” “I’m Dreaming of a white Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” “Jesus is born today,” Then you come ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Introducing God's Desire For The Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 26, 2013

Paul's letter to the Ephesians is cram packed with powerful theology and practical Christianity. If we allow it to change us the church with grow spiritually and in every other way.

Intro: In light of the confusion about what scripture says and what the church is supposed to be and do this letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians is a great way to end 2013 and begin 2014. In this letter Paul gives clear teaching on how we can get our theology and thinking about the Church right. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait: Unity Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 26, 2013

One accord does not mean the early church was traveling in a Honda. They were moving together as one because they were moved by the same Spirit. Unity in the body of Christ is serious business. Because unity in the church springs from the heart of God

Intro: One accord does not mean the early church was traveling in a Honda. They were moving together as one because they were moved by the same Spirit. Acts 2:44 “Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.” Remember 1 Corinthians 1:10 “I have a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

Character Trait 9: Joy Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 25, 2013

Joy is one of the essential marks of God’s Spirit ruling and reigning in us. Read this sermon to find out how joy will grow in us as we apply the principles taught in God's word about Joy!

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. Joy is a vivid emotion of pleasure or state of being highly delighted. Where does this state or emotion come from? Joy is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

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

Character Trait 11: A Healthy Church Is Influential Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 9, 2013

Jesus Christ commanded His church to be influential. We have a commission to impact people, principles and culture for Christ and His kingdom. How do we do this. We respond to His call to follow Him and be salt and light.

Intro: The philosophies or ways of thinking of the world lead to a devaluing. The worldly philosophies of the 19th century led to the idea of a golden era with no more war or rumors of war. There were many that believed that a utopia would result from the right thinking of man. They really ...read more

Scripture: John 5:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Centrality Of Christ Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 7, 2014

Second week of the Ephesians Series. God designed the Church to Be Christ centered. If we are Christ centered we will speak well of God and fulfill our purpose.

Intro: We said last week that the culture is opposed to the person and principle of Jesus Christ. We must remember that we are chosen in Christ to please and praise God. We are continuing to clear our thoughts about the church with this powerful theology that encourages us to keep our lives ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Knowing God Personally Living For God Powerfully Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 7, 2014

Fourth week of this series. God offers a personal relationship that leads to a powerful life for His glory.

Intro: Andy Stanley tells the story of when he was 13 and learning the meaning of the phrase, "Actions speak louder than words." His dad was the Associate Pastor of First Baptist in Atlanta when the senior pastor was asked to resign. Charles Stanley was asked to preach on Sundays until a suitable ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-19

Denomination: Baptist

Get Together Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 20, 2014

God's purpose in redemption and reconciliation was to make a new race, the human race! It seems discouraging that so many churches are divided. Why is that so and is it possible to become what God designed. Yes find out what hinders and what helps unit

Intro: We began by hearing that this life is not about us. Our life is to be controlled and conformed to the person and principle of Jesus. The church, the body of people that trust Jesus is to be centered on Jesus. We are also called to be holy, different, set apart for God’s purpose on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Prayer For God's Control Of You Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 23, 2014

Paul as we say in the south chases a rabbit of huge importance. He tells of the central importance of the church in God's plan to reveal His wisdom in the Gospel. Then Paul prays that the church will practically live what God has divinely designed.

Intro: Paul was just getting ready to pray for the Ephesian church when he was reminded of the importance of the church and as preachers are often known to do he chases a rabbit. What an important rabbit to chase today. The church would probably not make it into a list of the 50 most important ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-21

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

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

Living By A New Standard Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 3, 2014

Paul called the Ephesians to put off the old and put on the new. He is calling us to live by the new standard of Christ.

Intro: We learned early on of the riches we have in Jesus. We are adopted and sealed as sons. No one can take away our inheritance because God sealed it with His precious Holy Spirit. We have every heavenly blessing in Christ. We are now continuing to learn about our responsibilities in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Baptist