Sermons on Billy Joel:

The Worship Of Giving Thanks Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 15, 2015

Thanksgiving isn't a day, a holiday or just a meal. It was designed by God to help keep our bodies, souls and spirits healthy.

Intro: A woman had a parrot who always complained about everything. It was Thanksgiving Eve, and she was preparing the Thanksgiving meal. The parrot complained about everything as she worked. Finally, she had heard enough. She took him out of his cage and opened the refrigerator to put him in to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Baptist

The Worship Of A Worthy Walk Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 15, 2015

Good works have a great misunderstanding across the various denominations of the church today. Paul prays that we will live a life worth of God and be fruitful in every good work. He challenges us to live differently than the world around us.

Intro: Today we honor our veterans. If we are to truly honor them then we will follow their example of sacrifice and service for the good of our nation. Psalm 33:12 “Happy is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people he has chosen to be His own possession!” We will never be a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:10

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Seeking Worshipers Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 20, 2015

What an amazing passage. Jesus uses the most unlikely of persons to teach us and His disciples true worship. Come and learn what worship is and that God is seeking those that will bow and serve.

Intro: We come to John four and we find Jesus exhausted. The word translated worn out means to work until totally spent or exhausted. Jesus came in His worn out state to the woman at the well to teach us all what worship really is. A good question to ask ourselves is why this woman? Why this ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Fragrance Of Worship Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 20, 2015

Jesus shows us clearly the result of forgiveness is love and worship. The woman who anointed Him anointed him with her future and her singleness. Ask yourself what is your fragrant oil.

Intro: If you remember from last week Jesus went to place He shouldn’t be to talk to a woman He shouldn’t talk to. He used that woman to teach us what true worship is. Here we go again! It seems like Jesus is completely happy to tear down our ideas and presumptions about who should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Living By A New Standard Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 3, 2014

Paul called the Ephesians to put off the old and put on the new. He is calling us to live by the new standard of Christ.

Intro: We learned early on of the riches we have in Jesus. We are adopted and sealed as sons. No one can take away our inheritance because God sealed it with His precious Holy Spirit. We have every heavenly blessing in Christ. We are now continuing to learn about our responsibilities in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Trust God's Principles And Promises Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 26, 2011

The principles of God's word point to God's person. So if we trust His principles it is because we trust Him. If we do not live by His principles we miss out on all there is found in His person.

Intro: Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope.” What truths are found in the Old Testament that will instruct and encourage us to a deeper trust with ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Macho Man Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 2, 2011

God calls us men to be men like Jesus. He doens’t call us to be action heroes full of attitude and anger. He calls us to answer the Question who do you say that I am and what difference does it make in our lives.

Intro: Who do people say that I am? That is the most purposeful question that you will ever be asked in your life. Some people say Jesus was a good teacher, a radical zealot, a miracle worker, a relgion starter. But Jesus never allows us to stay with the purposeful answer he always makes it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Building The City Of God In The City Of Man Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 18, 2011

Nehemiah is often used to encouarge congregations to build a building. What Nehemiah did was encourage the remnant to rebuild the people and the walls of the city.

Intro: Nehemiah has always been used by pastors/teachers to encourage church congregations to build new facilities and buildings. I believe that a major portion of what is going on in Nehemiah is missed if we focus on building physically and miss out on building spiritually. Jesus said in ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

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

Gratitude Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 26, 2014

We live in a wrecked world politically, emotionally, family, mentally. However we don't have to live with a wrecked attitude. Ungratefulness will sabotage and strangle the full life that Jesus promises us. Begin with being grateful and you will be full

Intro: It is not hard to see that we live in a broken and wrecked world. God told us that this would happen. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12 He said that as the end draws near because lawlessness is increased the love of many will grow cold. It is very obvious we live in a wrecked world. Wrecked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Baptist

Commitment Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 3, 2014

Jesus is calling the church to commitment. We are committed to our sports teams, hunting, fishing, pleasure and entertainment. Jesus calls for commitment and repentance. It is a call for being in the world but not of the world.

Intro: The words that Jesus share with the church in Laodicea are hard words. Sometimes it takes hard words to awaken those asleep. It will help us understand Jesus words if we know more about the city the church was in. The city of Laodicea was founded by Antiochus II in 253 B.C. It was named ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

Courage Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 16, 2014

Courage is not the absence of fear. Biblical courage is facing your fears with the power of God's word and the presence of God's Spirit. These are applied to our lives to give us freedom.

Intro: One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't dear. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Finding God Above Our Heads Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 1, 2017

What was God's real goal for Christmas? Philippians 2:9-11 makes clear that Jesus came so that all knees would bow and all tongues would confess in worship of the God of grace!!

Intro: How many know how many more shopping days till Christmas? Today there are 13 shopping days until Christmas. The goal for many for Christmas has become finding the perfect gift at the perfect price. But what was God’s goal for Christmas? What was the real purpose for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Finding God Through Our Tears Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 1, 2017

The Christmas story isn't neat nor tidy. Along with good tidings of great joy come great suffering and sorrow as Jesus enters the world.

Intro: How many of you like Christmas cards? Perfectly cut with just the right saying or Bible verse. The pictures or paintings seem to be perfect. I love the Christmas story because it is in no way like Christmas cards. The Christmas story is not neat nor is it perfect. It isn’t tidy or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Baptist