Sermons on Billy Joel:

Agents Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 15, 2011

We see in Paul's prayer of thanksgiving for Philemon the reality of a forgiven childe of God. He was not only forgiven but Paul points out He is an agent of forgiveness.

Intro: Today across America there will probably be many sermons based around the theme of love. How appropriate that Paul in this personal letter to Philemon commends him for his love having feet and hands. If you remember from last week that Paul was calling Philemon to forgive his run away ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 20, 2011

Paul is directing Philemon, Onesimus and you and me down the Road to forgivenes. We find that unforgivness impacts your physical, and mental health. God is not a fuddy dud but a compassionate father wanting only whats best for us. Forgivenes is the roa

Intro: In the past two weeks we have studied the personal yet powerful letter from Paul to Philemon. It is very interesting to note the word forgiveness is never mentioned in this little letter. However much is said about forgiveness by the apostle Paul. Don’t forget the call to put flesh on ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-18

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 27, 2011

Is there an aswer to the cause of suffering? The worlds philosophys either deny the reality of suffering or say it must be dealt with until the release of death. The Christian worldview provides neither denial of evil nor disability in dealing with its

Intro: There are supposedly more Christians in the world today than ever before. There are more churches, Christian organizations, and ministries. Is our world the better for it? Morally, spiritually, socially it seems every place you turn the world is getting worse. Libya, Egypt, the Middle ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10

Denomination: Baptist

Sufferings Invitation Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 5, 2011

Adam and Eve invited suffering into the world. By disobeying God's direct command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they asked for discipline from God. The discipline "I will greatly multiply your pain." Both for woman and man.

Intro: Gianna Jensen is a survivor of a later term abortion. Her mother was in the third trimester of pregnancy when a saline abortion was performed. Through the grace of God she survived and was taken at 2lbs to a hospital and an incubator. Because of this botched abortion she was not supposed ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Sufferings Purpose Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Mar 12, 2011

Is there a purpose in suffering? The earthquake and subsequent tsunami make us ask many questions especially if we have not trusted Jesus. Suffering reveals the good that we ignore before disaster. Suffeing calls us to examine the shortness of our life

Intro: Just three weeks ago we began the suffering portion of this study called incarnate. Today as we draw to a close on our teaching of suffering it is in the face of large scale disaster in Japan that will cause an extended period of suffering for many. If you remember we talked about the ...read more

Scripture: Job 36:15, Job 36:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Significant Life Losing All To Gain Christ

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 1, 2011

Paul's letter to the Philippians has many themes but one of the most important is that of joy. 17 times joy is mentioned and 51 times Jesus. Joy comes in connection with close personal relationship with Jesus. Our churches are called to a hope and a fu

Intro: What a wonderful letter. What a note to begin the New Year on. Rejoice in the Lord! Seventeen times in this letter Paul speaks about joy. In relation to this joy he speaks personally about Jesus Christ at least 51 times. The source of Joy is an ongoing growing relationship with Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Finances Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 14, 2011

Proverbs gives us the proper context for giving. Without saying the word Tithe it reveals to us that we are to honor God with the first and best of all our increase, substance, weath, money. Your faithfulness will never be an issue of percentage it will

Intro: Why should we spend time studying what the Bible says about finances? Because the way we handle our resources is one of if not the clearest indicators of our hearts spiritual condition. Of the 38 parables that Jesus taught 16 are about how we handle our money. So why should we study ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10

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

The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 22, 2011

The Holy Spirit is vital to everything we do as followers of Christ. We as God

Intro: Hosea 6.6 gives us a glimpse from the Old Testament into the heart of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God through Hosea says, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” This book tells the story of Hosea and Gomer. God tells Hosea ...read more

Scripture: John 16:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Dynamic Presence Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 28, 2011

What follows the Holy Spirit taking up residence in those that believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

Intro: What follows the Holy Spirit taking up residence in those that believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ? To find out we turn to the book of Acts. The Acts of the Holy Spirit show us the working of God’s holy Spirit in indwelling, empowering, enabling, and pressing the Apostles and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Missionary Heart Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 4, 2010

From the beginning God was a missionary God. Creating and man and coming down to walk with Adam and Eve in the Garden. In this message there is God's intiative in missions, God invitation in missions. Finally there is a prayer included to ask God to gi

Intro: What is the one thing missing in most churches today? Is it lively soul moving worship music? Is it powerful spirit filled and led preaching? Is it wise council and wonderful leadership? Is it conferences and confession? Can I make a suggestion to you today? It is the Missionary ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Missionary Hope Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 18, 2010

Hope is not wishful thinking. Our confidence is Jesus. He is our anchor that connects us to God. This sermon deals with how that confidence or joyous expectation changes us and charges us to love God and love people until His return. This is why Jesus

Intro: The Assyrians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans had their many gods—gods of war, gods of industry, gods of agriculture, gods of cities, gods of towns, and various others. But in religions entire galaxy of gods, there never was one called “god of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:13

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