GraceinChrist

The fall out from Eden and Adam's sin extended further and longer than that of Chernobyl. Adams fall affects the whole of humanity collectively and individually. Adam's nature corrupts the nature of all born to Adam. Adam erred on who God was, on what he wanted as a person and on how to deal with others! In Christ the old man was crucified with Christ. As Christians we have now a new head, a new Lord, a new master. Our new nature, the Divine nature originates not from Adam but from Jesus. Paul systematically dismantles the catastrophe which is Adam through Romans chapters 6 to 15. The first of these false ideas the Spirit of God challenges is that of our relationship with God. Instead of God being someone we must flee from, hide in fear from, He is Abba Father. Here is the God we fled from welcoming us back with arms as wide as the cross of His Son. He who did not spare His own Son, how shall He not with Him also give us all things? 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Sole Deo gloria, all for the Glory of God alone! The cry of the reformers, one of the 5 solas. In Romans we see how that cry is worked out through God's people, those saved by Grace in Christ. God glorifies His Son through His people (Romans 8:30; Ephesians 5:27). By the end of the book of Romans, those who rejected the Glory of God in Romans chapters 1 to 3 are now resplendent with the fruit of love, joy, peace and righteousness in Romans chapters 13, 14 and 15. It is the work of Christ which transforms the sinner to the Glory of God! That Christ may be glorified in us! The work of Jesus in Romans chapter 3, for sin, presents a sacrifice of propitiation, expiation and justification. The work of the Lord Jesus in Romans chapter 6, His death to sin, satisfies the demands of the law so far as it's claims upon us are concerned for our death. Finally in Romans chapter 6 verse 6, the "old man was crucified with Him". All that I am in Adam has been brought to an end as a power, in respect to headship, and Lordship. I am now free to serve, free to live for Christ, free to be fruitful in service and free to Glorify God forever. Romans chapter 6 verse 6 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie New Cumnock

As you Live how You Please How Pleased are you How you Live? Baptism and New Life - Romans chapter 6 verse 4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." God has taken so much from us as Christians; our condemnation, our sin, our guilt, our separation, our isolation, our hopelessness and our despair. Instead of languishing outside of Eden alone, separated from God and unable to hear His voice, Jesus has taken the judgement, condemnation, died for sin and died to sin for us. In exchange for death, despair and damnation God has given to us new life in Christ. The Christian's new life is one of service, by the Spirit of God, bringing forth fruit to God, for His Glory. As we live our lives as we please, aim high and dig deep. Seek for His abiding joy, the joy of His presence, the joy of His salvation, the joy of His word, the joy of hope in Jesus Christ. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie New Cumnock Church Gospel Hall

The meaning and issues of baptism have significance and consequences forever. Our baptism by immersion into water symbolise our death to sin with Jesus, our burial and resurrection into new life in Jesus Christ. The qualification for baptism rests in the truth that baptism was first Christ's. As Christians we follow Jesus through those waters. This was first His baptism into death, burial and resurrection. We reference the practice of the Anabaptists, baptism by immersion, reference the error of baptismal regeneration and we see how our baptism declares our commitment to live for Jesus in newness of life. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie 

New Cumnock

Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? The interpretation of Romans chapter 6 verse 2 is one of the most contested verses in the book of Romans if not the New Testament! What does Paul mean by this? Is the Christian immune from the power or influence of sin? Is sin no longer attractive to the Christian? Is the Christian no longer responsible for his sin? In this bible teaching message from Romans chapter 6 we present the case that Romans chapter 6 verse 2 and our death to sin is the condition for entry into the presence of God. Death is the personal consequence of sin rather than the judicial consequence of sin which we find in Romans chapter 3. This is the condition of entry back to Eden, back to God fulfilled in Jesus Christ who died our death that we might be raised into the life of Jesus. This is a truth pictured in baptism by immersion, referenced in Romans chapter 6 verse 4. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

The burden of sin, guilt and condemnation are carried by the Lord Jesus in Romans chapter 3 to 5. The propitiation of Jesus Christ at the mercy seat brings reconciliation between the sinner and a Holy and righteous God. The penalty of our sin is dealt with at the cross of Jesus Christ. He is my substitute and sacrifice for my sin. In Romans chapter 6 we move from the burdens that Jesus bore to the blessings that Jesus brings for the Christian. The truth of sanctification is opened up, that I might yield to the God from whom I was separated from, serve Him and glorify God forever, the purpose for which I was created. Systematic studies in Romans. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie 

New Cumnock

Romans chapter 6 begins the great section in Paul's letter to the Romans on the subject of sanctification. Christ has died for sin in Romans chapters 3 to 5 and now we see the application of the truth that the Lord Jesus has died to sin in Romans chapters 6 to 8. Paul's preaching of the gospel of God's free Grace triggers the question "shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" Paul answers this great question through chapters 6 to 8 of Romans. Continuance perpetually in sin for the Christian in incompatible with their relationship with Jesus Christ, with the Righteousness of God and the Glory given to Jesus Christ. We cannot have the blessings of the cross of Jesus Christ with the Christ of the cross. There can be no forgiveness of sins without regeneration. By the work of Jesus Christ the Christian has died to sin and the penalty has been paid. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Unlike any other time, the finishes cross work of Jesus Christ has brought in a reign of life. In the days of Noah, Lot and Moses, the world, Sodom and Egypt were under the reign of death. God took out the world, the flesh and sin that His people may be truly free to enjoy life in all of it's fullness. This reign in life in Romans chapter 5 is only possible because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our salvation and His Kingdom is founded upon His Righteousness as a foundation for our salvation, His free grace to sinners, and the perfect consistent obedience of Christ in His life. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

The righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life, Romans chapter 5 verse 18. Why is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God so important? Why is it significant that it was the eternal Son of God who died for us at the cross of Calvary? The righteousness of Jesus is the subject in the bible of: Angels desire it - angels desired to look into it God demands it - only the righteousness of Christ is sufficient to sustain and survive the righteous wrath of God against sin The security if my salvation depends upon His righteousness. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Mankind was created for the Glory of God. Man was created with lips to worship God, "how excellent is thy name in all the earth", and a mind to wonder at God, declaring "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens." Humanity immersed in dignity and raised up in honour for the Glory and worship of God. The picture of man in Romans chapter 1, worshiping idols and animals, with lips full on cursing in Romans chapter 3, who refuse to retain God in their knowledge, with none understanding God (Romans 3) falls way short of the idealistic picture of humanity in Psalm 8. It is the work of Christ which transforms us from death to life, to reign one day in life with Him (Romans chapter 5 vs 17), free from death and condemnation, free to bring glory and honor to Him. Dr J Stewart Gillespie