Sermons on Billy Joel:

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

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

Steps To Victory Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 21, 2011

Joshsua the hebrew form of Jesus Christ's name. We are shown that God has given us victory. However as with the Israelites we must step in obedience to the direction and will of God. Merely taking the steps does not gurantee victory. Taking the steps

ntro: Joshua is a book about victory. It is not victory through superiority but through surrender. Surrender to the presence, promises and provision of God. Deuteronomy and Joshua have divisions between them but are written more like a part 1 and 2 of the same story. In Deuteronomy the Children ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Preparation Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 8, 2011

There are steps of preparation for every victory. As the church we must prepare for God to do something, prepare with unity, prepare for conflict. It will take action on our part to take steps to vicory that God purchased for us in christ.

Intro: Paul warned and encouraged the Church that Jesus was coming again. Peter warned and encouraged the church that Jesus was coming again. John warned and encouraged the Church that Jesus was coming again? If you have been saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and sealed by the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Providence: The Active Hand Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 13, 2011

The key to success and significance as a Chrisitan, a Church, part of the Kingdom of God is God active working in your life.

Intro: Remember that the book of Joshua is not about a group of people that were really good at conquering. They were instead at times really good at following the commands of the Living God. They learned to live with God active in their lives. What have we discovered so far? God did not ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Father: Responsibility In Relationship

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 19, 2011

As fathers, men, husbands we need to exchange our point of view for Gods. The cutlural viewpoint is distorted and diseased. Let Jesus show you what it means to be a real man. A real father.

Intro: The question from the Pharisees, the rebuke from the disciples, and the rejection of Jesus by the rich man are clear indications of a great need for changing our point of view. I believe you will see as we teach this passage today that the reason there are so many problems with fathers, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Passage: The Obedient Heart Of The People Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 25, 2011

What is so important about Joshua 3? That God is in the barrier breaking business to take us into new places in our faith and relationship with Him. It is not merely for us to get the best but the best of our relationship with Him.

Intro: What is so important about Joshua 3? That God is in the barrier breaking business to take us into new places in our faith and relationship with Him. It is not merely for us to get the best but the best of our relationship with Him. Don’t forget Joshua is not only about what God has ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Praise: Raising Stones Of Remembrance Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 3, 2011

The preists always led the children of Israel in praise of the living Lord. In chapter 4 they lead in praise to His glory. We are called and challenged to set up memorial stones so that children, and others will ask what does this mean in your life.

Intro: It was always the priests who led in Praise to the living God of Israel. In chapter 3 the priests were the first to step foot into the turbulent waters of Jordan. What do the waters of the Jordan represent to the followers of Joshua or Jesus? It is apparent as God commands Joshua and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Biblical Manhood Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 8, 2011

Sermon outline used to speak to men aobut what real manhood is. It begins first with a proper response to God. Responsility has at its root response. Adam responded with disobedience to God and because of that passivity Adams offspring are born dead to

Intro: When do we become men? What is the standard how is it measured? 1 Corinthians 11.7 A man is the glory and image of God. If we are the image and glory of God what does that men to us as men? (Other cultures rites of manhood) We are men when we deal with sin God’s way! I. Our response to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Biblical Manhood 2 Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 8, 2011

Second sermon given at Moment of truth to communicate the three fold responsibiltiy we have a men. We are called to reflect the Divine nature as Prophet, Priest, Provider/Protector. We can only fulfill these by having a dynamic union with God in Christ.

Intro: We have an at least three fold responsibility if we are to be biblical men of God. 1 Corinthians 13.11 When I was a child I thought, spoke, and reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put those things aside. If we are to be men then we must look to the standard for men. In the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:11

Denomination: Baptist

Passion: Living Under God's Direction Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 10, 2011

As Children and people of the covnenant we are marked in the Old testament by circumcision in the New by God's Spirit. It will be our passion to follow God's command if we are indeed children of the covenant.

Intro: Warren Wiersbe said something profound. “God’s people must be prepared before they can be trusted with victory.” The conquest of the Promised Land was God’s victory not Joshua’s or Israel’s. It was not the expertise of the Jewish army or emotions of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Of The Father Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 16, 2011

The world offers life at its best through what you own, wear, the way you look, the more you get, this selfish mentality promises life at its best but never delivers on the promise. God offers life at its best and it begins with a promise of power. Lear

Intro: A web search or general browsing of TV commercials tells us that life at its best is found in anything from nutrition to air fresheners. Culture tells us that life at its best is looking a certain way physically, wearing certain clothes, having a particular attitude. We are told that life ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist