Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Titus 2:11-14 at evening worship on Sunday 26th July 2026 in First Ards.

In Titus 2:11–14, Paul shows that the grace which saves us also changes us. Sanctification begins not with our effort but with God’s grace in Christ, training us to turn from sin and live godly lives as we wait for Jesus’ return. Christ gave himself to redeem and purify a people for his own, so Christians can keep looking to him with hope as he changes us bit by bit.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Zephaniah 3 at morning worship on Sunday 26th July 2026 in First Ards.

Zephaniah 3 concludes the prophet’s message by showing that the holy God who exposes sin and judges rebellion is also the God who restores, gathers and rejoices over his people. Jerusalem’s outward religion couldn’t hide its failure to trust or draw near, yet God promises to purify a humble people. In Christ, punishment is removed, enemies are defeated and God delights in his redeemed.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Galatians 4:4-7 at evening worship on Sunday 19th July 2026 in First Ards.

In this July series, we’re exploring three great blessings God gives to everyone who is united to Christ: justification, adoption and sanctification. Together they show us that God accepts the guilty, welcomes us into his family and begins to make us holy.

In Galatians 4:4–7, Paul shows that Jesus came not only to redeem sinners from slavery, but to bring them into God’s family. Through Christ, believers are no longer servants trying to earn a place, but sons and daughters who have been fully received. God gives us the Spirit of his Son, enabling us to cry, “Abba, Father,” and assuring us that we belong to him. In Christ, we are forgiven, welcomed, secure and made heirs of every promise God has given.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Zephaniah 2 at morning worship on Sunday 19th July 2026 in First Ards.

Over against the coming Day of the Lord, Zephaniah strips away every false refuge and points us to the only true one. Before judgement falls, God graciously calls his people to seek him with humility, reminding them that no heritage, wealth, nation or human security can save. As the prophet looks in every direction, every earthly refuge is shown to fail, yet hope shines through for the humble remnant who are sheltered by the Lord himself. The chapter ultimately points to Christ, who bore God’s judgement in our place and became the refuge for all who trust in him. The call remains the same today: seek the Lord, abandon every false confidence, and find lasting safety in Christ alone.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Romans 5:1-11 at evening worship on Sunday 12th July in First Ards.

Over this series, we’re taking time to think about three of the great blessings God gives to everyone who is united to Christ by faith. The Westminster Shorter Catechism helpfully gathers them together as justification, adoption and sanctification. These aren’t just theological ideas to be understood but wonderful gifts of God’s grace to be treasured. Together they show us that in Christ, God accepts the guilty, welcomes us into his family and begins to make us holy.

In Romans 5:1–11, Paul explains the great blessing of justification: guilty sinners are pardoned, accepted as righteous and brought into peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Our standing before God doesn’t rest on our performance, feelings or consistency, but on the finished work of Christ, who died for us while we were still powerless, sinful and opposed to God. Because we stand in grace, suffering can’t separate us from his love but is used to deepen perseverance, character and hope. The justified believer is forgiven, secure and reconciled to God. To have Christ is to be accepted by God.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Zephaniah 1 at morning worship on Sunday 12th July 2026 in First Ards.

Zephaniah 1 confronts us with the coming day of the Lord, when God will judge sin decisively and expose every false refuge. Judah possessed the temple, the Scriptures and a rich spiritual heritage, yet many had replaced genuine faith with empty religion, divided loyalties and complacency. The warning lands first on God’s people: church connection, respectability, wealth and family background can’t save us. But Zephaniah’s message doesn’t leave us without hope. The judge is also the Saviour. Jesus entered the darkness of judgement at the cross, bearing God’s wrath for sinners. The only safe refuge when God comes is to be hidden in Christ.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Revelation 7:9–17 at a joint service of worship with Newtownards PCI churches in support of Wycliffe Bible Translators on Sunday 28th June 2026 in First Ards.

John is given a glimpse of where God’s mission is headed: a countless multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and worshipping the Lamb. Their salvation rests entirely in Christ, whose blood cleanses guilty sinners and brings them safely through suffering into God’s presence. This vision gives confidence to those who pray, give, send, translate God’s word and serve, because none of that work is wasted. Christ will gather his people, the Lamb will shepherd them to living water and God will wipe away every tear. The outcome is certain. Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb.

Rev. Craig Lynn preaches Luke 11:37-54 at morning worship on Sunday 28th June 2026 in First Ards.

Jesus exposes the danger of religion that looks clean on the outside whilst remaining corrupt on the inside. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were meticulous about appearances, but neglected justice, love, humility and mercy. Their faith distorted priorities, fed pride, burdened others and resisted God’s truth. Jesus warns that biblical knowledge, religious activity and outward respectability are worthless if they never lead us to love God and obey him from the heart. But the one who exposes our hypocrisy is also the Saviour who cleanses us. Christ alone is pure inside and out and, through his cross, he offers forgiveness, a new heart and the Holy Spirit.