Sermons on Billy Joel:

Contentment The Solution For Our Fears Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 6, 2016

Hebrews tells us that Jesus is better. When we are content in Jesus our fears fade and our faith is fortified. Find out what amazing results happen when we learn to be satisfied with Jesus!

Intro: A man said to his wife just before an important engagement, "I'm so nervous, I've got sweaty palms and a dry mouth." His wife replied, "Then why don't you lick your palms?" - See more at: http://hotsermons.com/sermon-illustrations/sermon-illustrations-fear.html#sthash.TkVMYHyc.dpuf That ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8

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

The Breakthrough Of The Resurection Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 6, 2010

We all too often have a religious experience easter, christmas, other holy holidays. However what you need more than anything is a righteous encounter with the person of Jesus Chrsit. The breakthrough of the resurrection is afull life.

Intro: What a wonderful passage its fast paced, filled with espionage, excitement and the supernatural. Sounds like something Hollywood dreamed up doesn’t it? However as we look at this passage it is not filled with lights and sounds but the light of the world and the darkness of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 6, 2010

It is the burdern of cross that the Son of Man carried. Not the wooden beam. It is the godless attitudes that result in Godless living that caused Jesus to go to the cross. Jesus took the burden so we could expereience the break through of the resurrec

Intro: How can we bring Christianity, or being a Christ follower to its most basic components? How can we simplify it to the point that children can understand? We do as the Bible does. In Genesis there is no argument for God merely a statement of truth. “In the beginning God ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing Of The Ascension Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 15, 2010

Why did Jesus bear the burden of the cross, why the resurrection the breakthrough? So that we coud experience the blessing of God. The best definition of the Holy Spirit is Christ in us. Easter is over but the word and work of Jesus are still ongoing.

Intro: Thus far we have examined the burden of the cross, the breakthrough of the resurrection, now we come to the blessing of the ascension. How can it be that I would say that Jesus, the embodiment of God leaving this planet would be a blessing? Because the bodily incarnation of God cannot ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

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 Cross: Where Jesus Died

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 6, 2009

Has the cross become too cultural. Is it more popular than powerful. The cross is where jesus died.

Intro: Is it possible that we have become too familiar with the cross? Is it possible that it has become more popular than powerful? Is it possible that the cross is more cultural than critical to the salvation of people separated by from the life of God? The cross doesn’t seem to be as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Curse: Why Jesus Died Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 6, 2009

We see in the Bible that the curse is why Jesus died. To remove the curse of sin and death. We will also see the cross where Jesus died and the Crown why Jesus lives.

Intro: Paul’s letter to the Galatians is addressing what man seems always to do. Either add to or take away from God’s word. It began in the garden with Adam and Eve. Adam disregarded God’s word and Eve added to it. I’ve got to quote John Piper, “Satan is continuously at work tempting us to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:9-14

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