Sermons on Billy Joel:

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

Character Trait: Seeing And Living The Supernatural Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 22, 2013

The supernatural is not always spectacular. Sometimes God works supernaturally in the natural. Some examples are marriages restored, addictions undone, attitudes remade. Character and conduct are conformed to Jesus.

Intro: The supernatural is not always spectacular. Sometimes God works supernaturally in the natural. Some examples are marriages restored, addictions undone, attitudes remade. There is something that is very dangerous today. The supernatural has become twisted to be vampires, zombies, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-43

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

The Worship Of Work Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 11, 2011

When our work is done unto Christ it becomes worship. Our entire lives are worship so our lives should characterize God's glory with our excellence.

Intro: The world often disregards the church today. They do the same that Sanballat and Tobiah did here in Nehemiah they say if God loves you so much why are you such a mess. Our church answer is we are forgiven not perfect. The world often disregards us because we focus so much on what is wrong ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer And Planning Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 11, 2011

When God burdens us in our prayer life he is preparing us to do something about that burden in someone elses life. When our prayers connect with God's plans great things happen.

Intro: Tomas A Edison “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed up in overalls and looks like work.” I agree with Mark Driscoll pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle Washington. “We need far less people criticizing and writing books about what is wrong with ...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

Living In The Will Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 22, 2012

Jesus said His food was to do the will of His Father. It is what moved, motivated and mattered to Jesus. God’s will was what engergized Jesus. If we are filled with His Spirit our desirses should be His. What is the will of God? We will learn for the

Intro: The centerpiece of the gospel is the crusifixion. It stands between life for ourselves and life surrendered to God. If we are to follow Jesus we must be crucified with Him. In this daily crucifixion that Paul talks about our will, emotions, and mind are no longer our own we were bought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:50

Denomination: Baptist

The Will Of God For Individuals Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 22, 2012

God's will for each individual is to say yes to Jesus. How does that play out though. God's primary will for everyone is for each individual to konw Him. Read on to find out how that is practically lived out.

Intro: Many of us as believers can take a test and answer yes to questions like, did Jesus die for your sins, did he rise from the dead, is Jesus coming back to earth? Pastor and author Bruce Larson says that he grew up saying yes to these types of biblical doctrines. But eventually he sensed that ...read more

Scripture: John 17:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Will Of God For The Church Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 29, 2012

God's will for the church is for us to be the bride and body. As the bride we experience Him. As His body we exalt Him.

Intro: Paul was very clear that the redemption, adoption, and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the church was to bring glory to God. Ephesians 1:6,12,14. (Read) Our main goal and vision is to 1 Corinthians 10:13 “whether then you eat or you drink do all to the glory of God.” That ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Will Of God For The Lost Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 6, 2012

Should we say "lost" is it another one of those words that are archaic and out of date? No the parable ofthe lost sheep, coin, and son show that God's heart is in seeking, desiring to find the lost. God's will for the lost is clear. His will for the c

Intro: God’s will for the lost is that none should perish that all should come to repentance. This is 2 Peter 3.9. God’s Word translation gives a wonderfully clear picture of God’s will for people that are separated from Him by sin. “The Lord isn't slow to do what he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Bring The Reign Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 6, 2012

What results does the Lord ship of Jesus bring to the life of His followers? Are their priorities and practices that come from the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus' saints/disciples.

Mark Driscol “Men are prone to chauvinism or cowardice, too little or too much.” What we need to be prone to is Christlikeness. How do we do that? Make the kingdom of God, the reign of Christ your priority. Matthew 6:33 “but seek first His kingdom (reign/rule) and His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

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

Life With The Father Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 27, 2012

What is the real evidence that we live with the Father? What is the real evidence that we have spiritual eyes that God has revealed Himself to? Is it hands raised in the sanctuary, a hymn sung in quartet harmony, a chorus completed on Sunday morning? N

Intro: What is the real evidence that we live with the Father? What is the real evidence that we have spiritual eyes that God has revealed Himself to? Is it hands raised in the sanctuary, a hymn sung in quartet harmony, a chorus completed on Sunday morning? No. It is obedience to God’s ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist