17 December – 120, 9 and 3000: Numbers about Pentecost (Acts 1-2) In the opening chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, several numbers come together to make 3000. Initially, twelve names are specifically mentioned, but there are several others as well, who gather together in what...
16 December: 77 times – the number of forgiveness Matthews 18:21-25 and 1 John 1:1-10 A multimillionaire businessman living in our neighbourhood was fast approaching bankruptcy and in a measure of desperation wrote a pleading letter to the bank. To his absolute astonishment, an immediate reply wiped...
15 December – 153: The Number of Fish (John 21) They had been fishing all night, but their nets were empty. As dawn broke, they must have felt weary and frustrated. These disciples had been alongside Jesus, but had deserted him when he needed him the most...
14 December: Feeding of the 5000 (John 6:1-35) It all became possible because a hungry boy was generous enough to offer his entire lunch. Yes, it’s true that we’re not specifically told that he was hungry, but it’s generally impossible to fill someone of his age! And...
13 December: 38 years an invalid (John 5) It’s a good chunk out of anyone’s life. For 38 years this man had been an invalid. He had taken up residence at the Sheep Gate pool in Jerusalem along with many others who were blind, lame and paralysed....
12 December: 6 Stone Jars of Water turned into wine! (John 2:1-11; Hebrews 12:1-3) Over the years I’ve made my fair share of mistakes at weddings. I have mixed up names and vows, even referred to a husband as a wife. I’m not very good at paying...
(Luke 17:11-19; Matthew 6: 5-15) 10 December – 9 or 10 lepers healed I am not sure if we are looking at a nine or a ten today, or even a one. Ten men who had leprosy encountered Jesus and urged him to have pity on...
9 December – Zacchaeus gives away ½ (Luke 19:1-10, 1 John 3:1-10) One of my favourite organisations in our Church is the Sycamore Club, which cares for adults with additional needs. An outstanding annual highlight is the evening service they conduct, full of refreshing honesty, uninhibited joy...
8 December - 12 Tribes of Israel and 12 Disciples (James 3:13-18; 1 John 4:7-21) Today we’re highlighting the tribes of Israel and the disciples of Jesus. Enough material here for twenty-four separate sermons, but I am going to single out one from each category. The tribe of...
7 December – 70 years (Psalm 90) Life is incredibly short! The Psalmist reminds us that “The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly...