In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 49

Taxing Times

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jul 24, 2011

The tax collector as a model of saving faith

Count Leo Tolstoy was a man who unashamedly called himself ‘Christian’. He once penned these words into his diary: ‘I have not yet met a single man who was morally as good as I. ... I do not remember an instance in my life when I was not attracted to what is good And was not ready to sacrifice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Glory In Suffering Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jul 24, 2011

The servant who suffered for his people.

Here’s some INTERESTING advice to parents, ‘People get very upset by the idea that their children might have to suffer. Well, why? […] are you having children? You want them to be Christians, don’t you? If they are going to be Christians, they are going to suffer. That is ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Anatomy Of A Servant Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jul 24, 2011

Responding to the faithfulness of the servant

This SIGN was recently spotted in the airport lounge of an INDIAN airport (slide): We request all passengers not to hand over their mobile phones / personal belongings to any member of our staff. If any passenger may choose to do so, it will be at their own risk as to the cost and consequences ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Remarkable Testimony Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jul 24, 2011

The servant who labours under the burden placed upon him.

Being involved in gospel ministry is the GREATEST thing you can do with your life. There will be days when you say to yourself, ‘Praise the Lord! I love making an ETERNAL difference in the lives of people! I love TEACHING Bible lessons to the kids. I love SINGING in the choir. I love helping ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Servant, My Chosen One Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jul 24, 2011

The servant who will bring justice to the nations.

I really enjoy DESIGN and construction. Civil Engineering. Lost assignment (but don’t tell the outcome). I know that when we build a home there are THREE things needed: foundation, brick walls and a roof. Just can’t have a house with foundation, walls and a roof. Here’s a picture ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Big God, Big Message Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jul 24, 2011

An overview of Isaiah with the aim of putting the servant songs in context

‘I’d like to inform the congregation this morning that, from now on, we’ll no longer be having a Sunday sermon. I’ve noticed that my messages have been making so little difference that it really isn’t worth all the hours it takes for me to prepare them or for you to sit there and listen to them. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rising To The Occasion Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Nov 21, 2010

Talk 6 in series. How the gospel shapes our relationship with the world. Dealing with a divisive person.

It hasn’t been all good news for QANTAS lately. There was the A380 incident with an uncontained engine failure. Other incidents include another engine failure, smoke in the aircraft, a bird strike and one aircraft hit by lightening. These incidents have hurt the QANTAS brand and how the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-15

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

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

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

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

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

Trinity In Relationships

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 10, 2010

How the Trinity shapes our relationships.

Today we come to our last study on the Trinity. Three things we shall be doing (1) looking at the Trinity as a model for understanding ourselves; (2) then the Trinity as the foundation for building godly relationships; (3) the priority of trinitarian love.   opening prayer   ‘I’m not a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trinity In Worship Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 10, 2010

After considering some reasons why the Trinity is not always central in our tradition, discussing how the Trinity shapes liturgical substance.

‘Glory be to God the Father’, sings the church, ‘glory be to God the Son, glory be to God the Spirit, great Jehovah, Three in One’. What is this? we ask—praise to three gods? No, praise to one God in three persons. This is the God whom Christians worship—God in three persons. At the heart of  the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trinity In Salvation Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 10, 2010

The persons of the Trinity working for our salvation.

On Saturday May 15, 2010, Jessica Watson arrived in Sydney after sailing around the world. It was a wonderfully inspiring effort. I once got sea sick sitting on a surf ski waiting for waves off Warriewood Beach. So you can imagine how I feel even thinking about sailing through huge seas on a yacht ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed