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.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 9:10-17 at morning worship on Sunday 1st March 2026 in First Ards.

Jesus withdraws with the apostles after their mission, but when the crowds arrive he welcomes them, teaches about God’s kingdom and meets their needs. As the day ends and the disciples see only limitation, Jesus challenges them to trust him with what little they have, taking five loaves and two fish and feeding the crowd until everyone is satisfied. The passage shows a King who is never inconvenienced by need and who supplies abundantly through his servants, reminding us that ministry flows from Christ’s sufficiency rather than our resources.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Ephesians 1:11-14 at evening worship on Sunday 22nd February 2026 in First Ards.

We close our series considering the Doctrines of Grace journey answering a deeply personal question: is grace able to carry us all the way home? In Ephesians 1:11–14 Paul points us first to God’s unshakeable purpose “in Christ”, then to Christ’s own promise to lose none of those the Father gives him (John 6) and finally to the Spirit who seals believers and guarantees their inheritance “until” the day of redemption. Perseverance, then, is less about the strength of our grip and more about the strength of God’s, the Father’s planning, the Son’s securing and the Spirit’s guaranteeing. The result is humble assurance for the anxious, a call to keep coming to Christ and hopeful prayer for wandering loved ones.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 9:1-9 at morning worship on Sunday 22nd February 2026 in First Ards.

Jesus sends the Twelve with his own authority to preach the kingdom and heal, showing that mission begins with Christ’s call, not human strength or strategy. They go in dependence, trusting the King to provide, knowing some will welcome the message and others will reject it. As the news spreads, even Herod is unsettled, asking the same question that’s echoed through Luke, “Who is this?” The passage highlights the difference between curiosity and faith and points forward to Jesus himself, the King who sends others and then sets his face toward Jerusalem, where his authority will be revealed most fully at the cross and resurrection.