We see in Simon's carrying the cross a picture of the work of the Church throughout all generations; she is the cross-bearer after Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer.
But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, as in Simon's, it is not our cross, but Christ's cross which we carry. When you are molested for your piety; when your religion brings the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not your cross, it is Christ's cross; and how delightful is it to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus!
You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company; your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark of His blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. 'Tis His cross, and He goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. Take up your cross daily, and follow Him.
Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible; Christ may have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you; you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier end.
And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a very little while, it gave him lasting honour. Even so the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind
Approximately 400 people gathered at Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church on Friday 15th June 2018 at 8pm, to witness the Rev. Thomas Murray, Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, officially open and dedicate the newly built meeting house to the glory of God and for the preaching of the […]
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The opening date for our new church building will be on Friday 15th June at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this historic occasion in the life of our church. From humble beginnings in 1976 when the present Old Schoolhouse, derelict, was refurbished, there was a real zeal for the […]
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Over the winter, we have made further progress towards completion. The ceiling in the main worship area was installed and varnished. The pulpit and platform are installed and now, great progress is being made in getting the pews positioned, anchor points marked, and then the carpet fitted. The kitchen and […]
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Just this past week we now have a ceiling in the main worship area. Have a look around… look up!
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The minor hall flooring is down, main worship area wood ceiling now acclimatized and being installed this week, then carpet, pews, tiles, electrics are in hand, not long to go. Please continue to pray that the Lord will meet the need of our church spiritually, numerically and financially.
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The pulpit for the new church building has just been set into place as we progress further in the building project. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose… Nehemiah 8v4 The pulpit is considered to be the most important piece of […]
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In the past few weeks, the builders have been laying insulation on the floor, getting the heating pipes installed and pumping in the self levelling screed.
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Look how far we’ve come but there is more yet to do. Please subscribe to our channel to stay informed about future updates and our new church opening date.
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I would like to thank everyone who attended our Foundation Stone service yesterday afternoon. It was certainly a very historic occasion…
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Around 200 people gathered today to join in a historic day in the life of our church. Our Moderator, Rev. Thomas Murray, and our minister, Rev. David McLaughlin, unveiled the stones that would be the foundation of, and direct our purpose: “…for the Word of God, and for the testimony […]
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Praise God the roof is complete. The tiles and fascia are on, the guttering is coming and our next stage is doors, windows and plastering. We continue to be amazed at how our God has provided all our needs, as each month, as our building fund offerings are announced, we […]
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You can see the tower is being built up further, hopefully we will see the tiles etc. very soon. Please pray for our church going forward in faith. You can keep up to date with our construction work with this link. http://carrydufffpc.org/category/construction With thanks to Silas Cousins […]
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We would like to thank all those who have contributed so far to the building work. As Rev. Priestley preached at our anniversary meeting, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Thank God He can. The roof structure is almost complete, with the felt put on in this past […]
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Further progress to the construction of the new church. You can pan around the image to see a 360 degree view of our first floor gallery.
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Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church
Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind
