Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Pattern For Powerful Personal Relationships (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 2, 2014

Paul begins this section of scripture with since you have received all that Jesus purchased and assuming you learned of Him by experience you should have a different lifestyle than the lost. Your life should be characterized by hard work and helpful words

Intro: This week we continue the second part of Pattern for Powerful Personal Relationships. We continue to see the pattern that reveals the resurrection life in us. This is the explanation of John 13:35 “by this they will know that you are my disciples.” If we love the Lord Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

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 Fatherhood Of God Displayed In Earthly Daddies

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 12, 2014

God commands us to train our children. We see in this command a blueprint and recipe for changing our families and our city. The Spirit empowers us to love and discipline our children as a loving Father like God.

Intro: A four-year-old boy was eating an apple in the back seat of the car, when he asked, "Daddy, why is my apple turning brown?" "Because," his dad explained, "after you ate the skin off, the meat of the apple came into contact with the air, which caused it to oxidize, thus ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

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

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

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