Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Joy Of Peace

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 19, 2013

Paul gives clear instruction to teach us how to be free from worry and wrapped in the blanket of God's peace. If we want wholeness or victory and advance in our spiritual life it begins and is governed by our thought life.

Intro: David Jeremiah gave a list of how not to have joy and peace. In his book on joy he said I guarantee that if you follow these guidelines you will have unhappiness. 1) Make little things bother you: don’t just let them, make them. 2) Lose your perspective of things, and keep it ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Praying For God's Intervention

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 7, 2013

Have you ever known someone who needs an intervention to prevent damage or destruction? This describes what will happen if God's people in America do not wake up from our sleep and repent of our wicked ways. We need an intervention.

Intro: This is an excerpt from the Daily Chronicle December 13, 1904 William Stead reports, “Employers tell me that the quality of the work the miners are putting in has improved. Waste is less, men to go their daily toil with a new spirit of gladness in their labour. In the long dim ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

How Not To Respond To God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 22, 2013

Be careful when you read the story of Jonah that you are not distracted by the big fish, the big city, or the popular prophet. The story ks about the God who is bigger and above yet completely involved in the story of grace.

Intro: Top 10 THINGS TO DO INSIDE A BIG FISH 10) “Can you hear me now?” 9) Pray the fish is ….. bulemic 8) Bonfire and a fish fry! 7) Open a sushi bar 6) “Consider it pure joy” 5) Floss . . . the whale 4) Finally get motivated to read Moby Dick 3) Listen to tapes of ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

How To Live Until You Die Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 20, 2013

Paul was in prison and the Philippians were in poverty. How are we to face similar fearful times as followers of Jesus. Paul teaches us the key to this with just a short sentence. "For me to live is Christ."

Intro: Paul was in prison and the Philippians were in poverty. Have you ever wondered how some face fearful times with such faith. Paul is giving clear encouragement to us today. Our faith will overcome fearful times when we discover Jesus doesn’t add to our life He is our life. We as ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Memorial Of A Worthy Walk Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 28, 2013

God is no longer looking for stone memorials that were lifted up in the Old Covenant. He wants living stones as a holy nation of priests lifting up holy lives as a memorial to His greatness.

Intro: A man came to the Baptist Church and asked to see the pastor. “Pastor,” he said, “My dog died and I would like a Christian burial for him.” The Pastor said, “I’m sorry to hear about your dog, but we Baptists don’t do funerals for dogs. You might try ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Together For The Glory Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 3, 2013

Unity in the Body of Christ goes beyond fondness for the people of Christ. It is a supernatural work that results in surrendering our rights for the sake of others. Learn the essentials and the expressions of unity in this message.

Intro: Tonto and the Lone Ranger were riding through a canyon together when all of a sudden both sides were filled with Indian warriors on horses, dressed for battle. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and asked, “What are we going to do?” Tonto replied, “What you mean ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Decisions Daddies Make

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 3, 2013

The decisiosn we make define our life and determine our destiny. Genesis three shows us the decisions of two daddies. We see Adams destructive decision and Gods redemptive decision.

Intro: Genesis is a wonderful book of beginnings. It carries some amazing truths. We find out what sport God likes best. In the big inning God created the heavens and the earth so he must like baseball best. We find His favorite state Noah looked out of the Arkansas. Really God is no respecter ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Responsibility Of The Redeemed Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 3, 2013

As followers of Christ acting naturally will lead to falling and failing. Our old nature tends toward rebellion not obedience. Paul is encouraging us to fuflill our responsiblity and cooperate with God to grow and mature in Christ.

Intro: There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her, "Little girl, don't you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn't beautiful like the one you're wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing." To which ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Up Joy Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jul 16, 2013

God has given us everything to face this life with the joy of His presence and promises. Living in Joy comes no more naturally than not murmuring or grumbling. God offers us joy it is up to us to live in joy and peace.

Intro: At St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, there is only one door into the sanctuary. Over that door is a hand lettered sign that reads, “Servant’s Entrance.” There isn’t any way in or out of that church except through the servant’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Partnership: Be Careful Who You Covenant With Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Sep 12, 2011

What is the biggest issue we see in Joshua 9? Trust! Everything in our life comes down to what and who we trust. We need to be reminded that what we see is the smallest portion of reality. We are involved in a spiritual reality that cannot be seen by

Joshua: Steps to Victory Partnership: Be Careful who you covenant with Intro: What is the biggest issue we see in Joshua 9? Trust! Everything in our life comes down to what and who we trust. We need to be reminded that what we see is the smallest portion of reality. We are involved in a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Genereous: Discovering The Generous Character Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 4, 2011

If you examine the Bible from Genesis to Revelation we find that again and again God is giving. He is generous in creation, salvation, and sanctification. If His character is so generous shouldn't ours be? God is lavishly generous as we identifiy with

Intro: What is it that will cause us as Christians, followers of Christ to give in a manner that glorifies God? It will not be capital campaigns, it will not be gimmicks. Instead it will be when we understand the depths of God’s character and His goal to spread His kingdom by seeking and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:11

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Relase Our Lives For The Glory Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 11, 2011

What we do with our money is decison of the heart and not the head. We are challenged by God's word to live by God's principles not our preferences. God's ways lead to blessing our ways lead to burderns. Which do you follow.

Intro: Last week we learned that God is lavishly generous. We know that the goal of God is to place in us the character of Christ. God’s generosity is not without purpose. Remember God is generous toward us and gives us gifts so that the body of Christ can be built up and others can ...read more

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

The Best Defense The Breastplate Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Aug 21, 2014

The breastplate of righteousness. Faith our trust in God and love our choosing to share with others the hope of the gospel. Paul says, Put it on!!! We find out why and how it protects us from the advances and attacks of the enemy in this message.

Intro: When you read about the breastplate of righteousness you find a discussion and disagreement about whether the righteousness that Paul is speaking about is imputed righteousness or imparted righteousness. Imputed righteousness is what we get when we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior and are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist