Sermons on Billy Joel:

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

Gifts Of Recognition

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 21, 2007

The wise men came to Jesus bearing gifts. The gifts recognize who Jesus was. They recognized him as divine, king, with their gifts. How do you recognize Jesus with what you give to Him and others?

ntro: The background of this story would make any modern day soap opera, or prime time drama writer drool. The wise men meet with a self-absorbed, psychopath by the name of Herod the Great. He was a level headed, friend of the Romans who brought stability to the economy of Judea and built for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Ready For Great Things

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 29, 2007

Are you tired of merely making it. Do you wish to do great things? We must realize that Jesus said we would do great things. He clearly tells us in John 14 that great things come from a personal, practical, patterened, powerful faith in a great God.

Intro: This is a wonderful passage. It is a passage that is full of Jesus. Jesus is comforting His disciples who are just beginning to realize he is going to die. Thomas says we don’t know the way Lord and Jesus says I am the way. Philip is looking for a spectacular sign and Jesus just wants ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Making The Most Of The New Year

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 6, 2008

As you transition into the new year are there questions on your mind. There are on mine. What I believe to be a very important question for my life and the life of the church. Did I make the most of 2007. 2 terific truths from God’s word show us how w

Intro: As we transition into this new year a question has been on my mind. Did I make the most of the last year. It is not a question for the faint at heart. It is an examining question, it is a difficult question. Will I be honest enough with myself about this hard question? As I look over ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

Live Out Loud Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 29, 2010

James tells us that faith without works is dead. He is not saying Paul is wrong. Paul spoke about becoming a believer and follower of Christ, James is talking about behaving as a believer and follower of Christ. Out loud faith is not merely, words, thi

Intro: What does your faith say? That is the question you should ask yourself this morning as you listen to this message. What does your lifestyle say about the God you say you serve? James is clearly pulling no punches as He deals directly with living, abiding full life generating faith. Does ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Tongue: The Power And Purpose Of Our Words

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 13, 2010

James is presenting practical Christianity. He has told us faith without works is dead. In other words a prayer that doesn't change our practices is powerless. Meeting Jesus changes us permanently and continually. This impacts our works and our words.

Intro: We dive in again to the depths of James practical teaching. He has given us tests and teachings on practical faith in a personal Jesus. Remember that James and Jesus want us to not only be born again of the word but have it to take root in our lives and cause us to trust God more fully ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Patience: Waiting On The Activity Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 24, 2011

There is constant spiritual conflict. There are spiritual foes that fight with untruth, half-truth, distraction, division, apathy, etc. In the challenge and conflict we face there is a loud and clear voice of God telling us of the ultimate reality. We

Intro: “You are a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting and suppose you can have the crown without conflict.” These words were spoken by Syrian preacher John Chrysostom (647-407 AD) He was loudly and clearly stating what Paul said hundreds of years ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Perspective: The Destructive Power Of Sin Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 14, 2011

God never planned for defeat to be the rule of the Christian life. God planned for the Holy Spirit to be the ruling principle of our life. Victory is to be the rule defeat the exception. When sin is ruling in our life God called for us to deal with it.

Intro: What does God want from the people that make up this local body of believers called Immanuel? Does he want new buildings, more children for VBS, more bible study classes, what does He want? First he wants us to get our perspective right about we exist for the purpose of God living in us ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Positional Thinking: Victory From Defeat Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 14, 2011

The world wants us to think positive. This leads to separation from God and others. God wants us to think positionally. We are seated in Christ Jesus according to His finished work. Joshua and his generals were positive they could take AI. However, t

Intro: An interesting way to begin this morning is to talk about Ai and its meaning. I believe last week I informed you that Ai means heap of stones or heaping ruin. It was first mentioned in Genesis 12.8 and 13.3 in regard to the place that Abraham chose to pitch his tent. We are told that ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection Isn’t Just For Easter Sunday

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 24, 2011

The resurrection happened so that acts 2 could happen. Not just forgiven people but transformed people. We are forgiven so that we can have with God in Jesus Christ and be remade in Jesus’ image.f

Intro: Someone asked me are we having anything special today? I said no. I have thought about that all week. We are having something special today we are celebrating the resurrection of our savior, Lord, Master, King, friend, and God. Jesus Christ. We do not have to have pageants or special ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Of A Mother In The Face Of A Struggle

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 7, 2011

The family today is in desperate need for parents with faith that can face the struggles of uncertainty, unkindness, and ungodlyness. In Hannah we get a glowing example of a mother that faced her struggles with faith.

Intro: Bill Most of the scholars that you read will look over Hannah and move straight to the last judge of Israel. His name is Samuel in Hebrew means heard of God or God hears. But you cannot bypass one of the most important reasons that Samuel had the relationship with God that he had. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Authority Of The Servant King

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 2, 2012

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as the Greatest Servant. This servant has the authority to forgive sin, free people of disease, force demon to flee. Most of us have some type of reistance to authority. Jesus made it clear the real and eternal life is

Intro: Illustration about “God is watching you.” My first thought was an old angry man in the sky pointing His finger at me saying look out I’m going to get you. My second thought was of the heavenly father I know. Jesus is the only one capable of watching over me, you, every ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-23

Denomination: Baptist