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?

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches 2 Samuel 12:1-14 at evening worship on Sunday 22nd March 2026 in First Ards.

The Lord refuses to leave David hidden in his sin. Nathan’s parable draws David into condemning the rich man, only for the prophet to turn and say, “You are the man.” We trace the movement from exposure to confession to mercy. David is brought to say, “I have sinned against the Lord” and immediately hears the astonishing word, “The Lord has taken away your sin.” It’s a sobering passage about the seriousness of sin, the reality of God’s discipline and the wonder of grace that points us beyond David to David’s greater Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Riaan Boer preaches James 3:13-18 at morning worship on Sunday 22nd March 2026 in First Ards.

Far from being just knowledge or spiritual appearance, biblical wisdom is revealed in a life shaped by humility, purity and peace. Contrasting earthly wisdom with the wisdom that comes from above, we see that genuine faith is demonstrated in everyday conduct, especially in how we treat others. The call is to examine our hearts, to turn from self-centred living and to seek from God the wisdom he generously gives, wisdom that leads to a life of righteousness, mercy and Christlike character.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 9:28-36 at morning worship on Sunday 15th March 2026 in First Ards.

The transfiguration gives a glimpse of Jesus’ glory before the road turns fully towards the cross. On the mountain, as Jesus prays, Peter, James and John see his glory, Moses and Elijah appear and the Father’s voice declares, “This is my Son… listen to him.” The sermon shows that the Transfiguration isn’t a detour from the cross but a confirmation of who Jesus is and where he is going. Before the disciples see his suffering, they’re shown his glory, so that they will learn to trust him, hear him and follow him on the road to Jerusalem.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches 2 Samuel 11 at evening worship on Sunday 8th March 2026 in First Ards.

As we come back to our series on the Life of David, this chapter marks a dark turning point in his story. While his army fights, David remains in Jerusalem and begins a chain of sin that moves from lust to abuse of power, deceit and ultimately murder. The chapter shows how hidden sin grows, how quickly conscience hardens and how even the best of men can’t bear the hopes of God’s people. David is exposed and the contrast with Christ becomes clear, where David took and ruined, Jesus gives and saves. The sermon ends by urging us not to cover sin, but to bring it into the light before the true and better King.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 9:18-27 at morning worship on Sunday 8th March 2026 in First Ards.

Jesus asks the question that has been building through Luke, “Who do you say I am?” When Peter answers, “The Christ of God,” Jesus immediately reshapes what that means, explaining that the Messiah must suffer, be rejected, be killed and rise again. The cross, not worldly triumph, stands at the centre of his mission. Jesus then turns the truth toward his followers: anyone who comes after him must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow. The passage confronts us with the same choice the disciples faced, moving beyond curiosity or admiration to confess Christ and follow the King on the road that leads through the cross to glory.