Sermons on Louis Armstrong:

Everything Held Captive Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 23, 2009

Introduction to Colossians plus exposition of Col 1:1-2.

The game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ first came to light in 1974. Players of D&D create characters which they live out in an alternative reality. And so D&D is a fantasy role playing game where players embark upon imaginary adventures in a created world. Although there’s a few variations of the game, a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Truth About The Resurrection

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 6, 2010

An Easter Sunday message on the resurrection from a worldview perspective.

[play mini-movie called 'Spiritual Cafeteria' produced by Floodgate Productions]. One time at University I spent all night finishing an assignment despite having a major exam the next day. So I hadn’t done an ounce of study. All my friends had a good night sleep and were in the library ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Faith That Lasts Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jun 1, 2009

The necessity of ongoing faith in Christ Jesus.

Imagine going into a BANK, innocently filling out a withdrawal slip, and within MINUTES being arrested by the police. When RON SCHATZ filled out a withdrawal slip in an American bank, he had no idea that HANDCUFFS would soon be place upon him. It took a while to straighten out the story. The teller ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:19-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lord, My King Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jun 1, 2009

The absolute supremacy of Christ means we are safe in his arms.

We all like to feel safe and secure. When I was a young lad, I had this dream that has stayed with me for 45 years. I dreamt about a large house with a flight of external stairs. For some reason I was scared, I couldn’t work out why. Then I felt compelled to climb the flight of stairs—step by scary ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

United In Love Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jun 2, 2009

Setting a purpose for Christian living.

Christians without goals are a little like Alice in the fairy tale ‘Alice in Wonderland’. In a conversation between her and the Cheshire Cat, Alice asked, ‘Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here’? ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to’, said the cat. ‘I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Hope Of Glory Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jun 10, 2009

Learning from Paul’s personal testimony to the Colossian CHurch

When I was at university—I sweated and groaned and struggled to get through my studies. One day a mate left an major project we were working on in the train. He rang every station from Hornsby to Campbelltown hoping it was handed in. Alas, our major assignment was gone forever! After the lecturer ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Pain Of Truth Decay

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Sep 2, 2019

Understanding Biblical truth in a post-truth world

The 2018 notable quote of the year came from Rudy Giuliani, an American politician who said, “Truth isn’t truth”. He meant that there are lots of versions of the truth, different versions called “alternative facts”. We live in a post-truth world. Unfortunately “truth” in the 21st century has a very ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Scripture And Truth

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Sep 2, 2019

A talk intended to increase confidence in Scripture, regarding it as a source of truth and considering its historical features.

There’s a saying that goes like this, “A Bible in the hand is worth two in the bookcase”. C.H. Spurgeon wrote: "I would recommend you either believe God up to the hilt, or else not to believe at all. Believe this book of God, every letter of it, or else reject it. There is no logical standing ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lord Is Good

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jan 6, 2019

A short sermon for a funeral service. I wrote this talk for the funeral of a Christian person.

In Nahum 1.7—a book in the Bible not often heard—the prophet Nahum says, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7). It may seem counter-intuitive to consider this verse at a funeral when death is clearly on our minds. How can we say that the ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Big Wake Up Call Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Feb 17, 2019

The Book of Joel is a wake up call. God is good but he is not safe.

The challenge of national tragedy. In his poem, The Four Quartets, T.S. Eliot writes, Go, said the bird, for the leaves were full of children, Hidden excitedly, containing laughter. Go, go, go, said the bird: human kind Cannot bear very much reality. People can only accept reality in very small ...read more

Scripture: Joel 1:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Sort Of Day? Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Feb 17, 2019

The Day of the Lord is a day to prepare for and this is done by trusting in Jesus.

Clear and present danger. When there’s danger, the alarm usually sounds—more than once. Sydney has a CBD emergency warning system. There are 98 speakers throughout the city and 13 messaging signs at key transport hubs. The system is designed to manage lots of people needing to be moved in the ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Spirit Is Coming! Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Feb 17, 2019

Joel promises restoration through his Son and the sending of his Spirit. God promises to renew people who repent and turn to him.

For all the talk about forging our own brave, new world, the evidence seems to the contrary. People are despondent and the world seems a mess. Every day the ideological battles play out in the public square are they are prising apart public opinion and fragmenting society. Climate change—gender ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:18-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Swing The Sickle Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Feb 17, 2019

God's judgement is fearful. God will call to account those who reject him. Don't say you weren't warned. Return to the Lord.

The great and terrible day of the Lord. Are you afraid of God? Do you secretly harbour a fear of him? Maybe in your upbringing you were introduced to a god who scared you and this was reinforced as you read those violent stories in the OT. Does a fear of God turn you away him? The language that ...read more

Scripture: Joel 3:1-21

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

Subversive Christianity Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 30, 2020

This is Talk 1 in a 13 talk series from Colossians. Alternative philosophies, learning thankfulness, a letter to our church.

I’d like to read to you a letter written from prison written in 2004. From a father to a son …. “Hi my boy. Thankyou for coming to see me. It made me feel so good to see you that it hurt because I really do miss you. I am proud of you, Nolan. Please be good at school and listen to your mother, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed