Sermons on louis armstrong:

An Excellent Reputation Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 26, 2009

The power of the gospel in the world and especially in the lives of the Colossian saints.

Imagine writing a letter to a pigmy living in the deepest, darkest parts of Africa. In your letter you must describe life in the Lower Blue Mountains. What would you say? How would you describe the fabric of our society? What is our reputation?   There’s lots of good things to write about: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Teach Me To Pray Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 26, 2009

The purpose of prayer complemented by a model on how we should pray.

I hope you remember the Peanuts cartoons. One day Lucy and Linus had a chicken wishbone and were going to pull it to make a wish. Lucy was explaining to Linus that if he got the bigger half his wish would come true. Linus said to her, ‘Do I have to say the wish out loud?’  Lucy said, ‘Of course, if ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Life That Counts Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 26, 2009

The atttributes of a meaningful Christian life.

Almost everyone is determined to make their life count for something. Steve Fossett was a well known adventurer who was the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in a balloon. He also sailed around the world five times non-stop, he also a powered aircraft license. On September 3, 2007, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:10-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Truth That Leads To Godliness Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Nov 21, 2010

Introduction to the Letter to Titus.

Culture is constantly knocking at our door. ‘Which bank’? ‘Oh what a feeling’! ‘It puts a rose in every cheek’, ‘The fresh food people’, ‘My Dad picks the fruit to make the cordial, that I like best’, ‘Oh what a feeling’, ‘My store’, ‘For the most important person in the world’, and ‘Aussie kids ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Leadership That Matters Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Nov 21, 2010

Talk 2 in a series from Titus. The importance and characteristics of church elders.

Mark McCrindle is social researcher from the University of NSW who is interested in the changing face of our country. Recently he sampled 5,000 people for their views on leadership (report 16 September 2010). Who is the leader you most admire in history? Winston Churchill was on top with 8.2% of ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:5-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Elders On The Run Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Nov 21, 2010

Talk 3 in series. Strong leaders are needed to deal with false teaching.

‘I am certainly not one of those who need to be prodded. In fact, if anything, I am the prod’, says the most popular of all leaders. During World War II, Winston Churchill was forced to make a painful choice. The British secret service had broken the Nazi code and informed Churchill ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:8-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Power Of Sound Doctrine Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Nov 21, 2010

Talk 4 in in series. A look at how sound doctrine orders relationships within the church family.

It’s amazing what persistent teaching and training can do. Geoff Huegill (a successful Australian swimmer) lost 40 kg to win the 100m butterfly at the recent Commonwealth Games. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that ‘Huegill had feared disappearing under a pile of beer cans and pizza boxes before ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Grace That Empowers Us Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Nov 21, 2010

Talk 5 in series. A further exploration of church relationships in the light of the gospel.

What is the thing you most want in life? Perhaps its that new car or long overdue holiday. Lower interest rates on your home loan. Maybe a short break from the children or the prospect of a stress free Christmas. One researcher, Max-Neef, classifies fundamental our human needs as follows: ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:6-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Invisible. Inspiring, Instructing Icon

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on May 16, 2008

Three adults in John’s Gospel are the product of a very dedicated and devout mother. Although never named in the Bible, this mother cast a big shadow.

John 11:1-5 INVISIBLE, INSPIRING, INSTRUCTING ICON I. IDENTITY: A. Invisible. B. Industrious. C. Influential. II. ISSUES: A. Imitators. B. Inclusiveness. C. Inspiring. III. IMPACT: A. Immeasurable. B. Immortal. C. Imitational. My Mother’s Day sermon is different from any ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Problem Prophet's Pitiful Plight Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Jan 31, 2008

Saying no to God was the start of a donward descent by the Prophet Jonah. God had called him for one specific place-but he said no and ran from God. He is typical of many who do likewise and as Jonah, all rebelious people pay a heavy price for their stubb

PROBLEM PROPHET’S PITIFUL PLIGHT I. PRONOUNCEMENT: A. Preach! B. Place. C. Portraiture. II. PROBLEMS: A. Particular. B. Perplexing. C. Painful. III. PERFORMANCE: A. Perceived. B. Postponed. C. Procured. God’s longsuffering is amazing. How many of us would have given up on Jonah ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

Contumacious Cleric Circumvents Clear Compliance Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Feb 7, 2008

Jonah refuses to follow God’s call and starts a steady downward trip away from the only One who could save him. He finds a city of escape; pays for his way of flight and winds up with the wrong crowd.

JONAH 1:3 CONTUMACIOUS CLERIC CIRCUMVENTS CLEAR COMPLIANCE I. CITY: A. Convenient. B. Cosmopolitan. C. Commercial. II. CRAFT: A. Costly. B. Construction. C. Connotation. III. CREDULITY: A. Company. B. Confident. C. Calamitous. If w one word could describe one person then Jonah ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

Crafty Clergyman Challenges Compassionate Creator Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Feb 15, 2008

Jonah 1:3 and 4 present quite a contrast. In Verse three it is all "man" man flees from God, man sails the ship, man has no place for God. In verse four, the table is turned and it is all God. God seeks man; He sends the storm; and, in the end-God wins.

JONAH 1:4 CRAFTY CLERGYMAN CHALLENGES COMPASSIONATE CREATOR I. CRAFT: A. Course. B. Confidence. C. Credibility. II. CONTRAST: A. Creator. B. Concern. C. Control. III. CONSEQUENCES: A. Caldron. B. Consternation. C. Carrier. Jonah is safely on board the ship and he feels enough ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:3-4

Denomination: Methodist

Pursuing Perfection Produces Protection Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Aug 23, 2007

The writer of the book of Hebrews gives us good reasons to stay a Christian. It not only helps us in our journey to heaven, but helps keep us safe from falling away.

HEBREWS 6:9 PURSUING PERFECTION PRODUCES PROTECTION I. THE POSSIBILITES: Hebrews 6:1-8 A.Permanence. 6:1-3 B.Prevaricating. 6:4-7 C.Perishing. 6:8 II. THE PERSPECTIVE: Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

What In The World Are We Doing?

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Sep 1, 2009

Designed as a short, punchy talk to challenge Christians about mission.

What in the world are we doing? Sometimes I catch the start of the Ray Hadley show on 2GB. He usually begins by summing up the major news of the day. Last Thursday (28 August, 2009) wasn’t a good day. A family tragically killed on the F3 after a large semi-trailer ploughs into the back of the car. ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I'm Too Proud To Be Humble Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Dec 17, 2018

A simple Christmas Day sermon around the theme of humility. A little shorter than normal and I tried to be jargon free.

Introduction—humility. Someone once said, “Swallow your pride occasionally, it’s non-fattening”. I wish on a day like today that fruit cake, chocolate and pavlova were non-fattening. One of my favourite humility sayings is, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, its thinking of yourself ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed