Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Matthew 28:1-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:17-22 at morning worship on Easter Sunday 5th April 2026 in First Ards.

Jesus’ resurrection isn’t some nice ending to the gospel story. It’s the decisive event on which the whole Christian faith stands or falls. From Matthew’s empty tomb and Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15, this sermon shows that because Christ has indeed been raised, faith in him is not futile, sins really can be forgiven, those who have died in Christ aren’t lost and all who belong to him will be made alive. Easter means that the risen Jesus can be trusted completely and that all who are in him have a living, certain hope.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches 2 Samuel 12:15-31 at evening worship on Sunday 29th March 2026 in First Ards.

This passage shows what forgiven life looks like when sorrow remains. Though David’s sin is truly taken away, its consequences continue, yet he responds not by withdrawing from God but by pleading, then bowing and worshipping when the Lord’s will is clear. In time, grace brings not only comfort but restoration, as David is returned to the path of obedience. The chapter holds together pardon, discipline and promise, pointing beyond David to the greater Son through whom mercy and justice finally meet.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Mark 11:1-11 at our Palm Sunday all age family service worship on Sunday 29th March 2026 in First Ards.

On Palm Sunday, we see that Jesus is completely in control. Nothing takes him by surprise, not even the cross that lies ahead. He goes to Jerusalem deliberately, knowing he’ll suffer and die, because he came to save sinners. The cross isn’t an accident but God’s plan and through it Jesus makes forgiveness and restoration possible. The question for us is how we will respond: will we simply be near Jesus like the crowd; or will we trust him as our Saviour and welcome him as our King?