The cross of the Lord Jesus divides between death and life! Presented to the sinner the cross holds the key to destiny and our response to the cross of Jesus determines heaven or hell. God is not interested in making us a better sinner, or making life a little better, feeding us on more of the same. By the power of the cross there is radical transformation, metamorphosis. Jesus carried dead men to the cross but emerges from the cross the head of a new creation, the last Adam bringing living men from the cross! Through His people Jesus is now glorified in them as we live for God by Him. Here is a life of absolute surrender for the glory of God.

Romans chapter 6 unpacks Paul's teaching on sanctification. Now that I am saved, now I am a Christian, how should I live? Can I live as a please? Can I as a Christian do whatever I want? Does God have a purpose for my life? Can I continue in sin that grace may much more abound? Romans teaches that a life which receives salvation is a life changed by Christ. Salvation comes by relationship and that with a living Saviour! Our water baptism demonstrates this truth. In baptism by immersion we are dead, buried and raised again in Jesus! The Christian life is lived out in the sanctuary of Romans chapter 8, like that of David, at the altar of Romans chapter 12 like that of Abraham and in the congregation of Romans chapters 14 to 16 like that of Moses. Like the lepers of old, God takes our broken and dead lives and transforms them and changes them not for our glory but for His! He brings Miriam's flesh alive from the dead, Naaman the leper through the waters of baptism and the leper of Luke chapter 17 to the pinnacle of glorifying Jesus.

Christ died once to sin (Romans chapter 6), justifying the demands of sin against us. Having died to sin and having brought an end to the old man, what we were in Adam, we are transferred as Christians to a new Lord, new Master, new Kingdom and a new genealogy in Jesus. This new life before God is a life in the sanctuary like David, at the altar like Abraham and in the congregation like Moses. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie 

Systematic bible teaching from Romans

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

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

The amazing grace of God in Romans chapter 5 is a grace that meets me, a sinner in my need, with nothing, separated from God, condemned in Adam, condemned because of sin and in Grace God pours in the person and work of the Lord Jesus at the cross. Here is what is so amazing about Grace. Includes the story of David and Svea Flood, Norwegian missionaries from the Belgian Congo .

In Adam's fall we sinned all. 

Death as the product of sin is not purely explicable in terms of individual personal sin. Personally committed sins and personal guilt is insufficient to explain the death of the innocent, the unborn nor the death and loss of the infant. Personal individual sin was not the cause of death reigning from Adam to Moses. In the pre law period of Adam to Moses God condemned humanity generically by flood in the days of Noah, by fire and flame in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, by famine in the days of Joseph and in the death of the firstborn in the days of Pharoah and the Exodus. This reign of death was the consequence not only of imparted sin and death but also as the consequence of imputed guilt and condemnation. It is this imputation of guilt and condemnation by contamination or association with Adam that is the corollary to justification by faith in Jesus. If my relationship with Adam brings death, how much more would my relationship with Jesus bring me righteousness, life and imputed justification. 

Romans chapter 5 verses 12 to 17 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Romans chapter 5 verse 12 holds the key to understanding justification by faith, the declaration or imputation of God's righteousness which comes the believer by faith alone. Such a bold claim in the gospel seems strange and hard to grasp and yet it is founded on one of the the most common experiences of human existance, that of death. Just as in receiving the nature of Adam we receive with this his death and his sin, so too in receiving Christ, in being in Christ we receive a new nature and with it life and righteosness. That old nature was condemned in Adam and thus remains condemned when we receive it. The new nature is justified in Christ and remains justified when we receive it! In Adams fall we sinned all. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie 

Bible Teaching From Romans

At times we can slip into unbelief. If there is a God then why is there so much hurt and hurting the in world? If God is real and if God is love why do I suffer? Why are there so many problems in the world if God is a God of love. Romans chapter 5 verse 8 takes us to the proof of the love of God, to the cross of Jesus Christ where God demonstrated and proved teh reality of His love towards us, a love we dare not miss. Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Joy and The Meaning of Life, Glory Transfused by Hope. Joy as a Christian is no small matter! Joy is glory transfused by hope (Romans chpater 5 vs 2). God's righteousness permeates the gospel in its entirety. The righteousness of God is demonstarted in His dealings with the sinner, justified by grace, in His own character as a righteous judge and in the dealings of God with Jesus, the Son, raised from the dead, justified in the Spirit and now glorified eternally in and by His people. Had the righteousness of God been compromised at Calvary, catastrophy would have ensued, the two on the road to Emmaus would have been right in their despair and depression, Satan, death and sin would have won. Do not judge God by a point in time! Judged God (if you must) by the point of time! Romans chapter 5 bible teaching from the Bridgend Gospel Hall, New Cumnock. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Happiness and joy may not be as far away as you think. For the two on the Road to Emmaus in Luke chapter 24, joy was only 7 miles down the road. Joy is to be found uniquely and supremely in Christ. On the road to Emmaus we learn the secret of the joy that is ours in Jesus (Romans chapter 5 verse 11) in the walk, the word and the worship of Jesus. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

In the middle of the fire, the flame and the furnace, passing through the trials, turmoils and tribulations of life and carrying the burdens of a broken world on our shoulders we can feel empty, drained with no strength left to rejoice as Christians. In Romans chapter 5 verses 6 to 11 we are encouraged, in this season of opportunity, in the due time of Romans chapter 5 verse 6 to find our joy on Christ. Sometimes we need to hitchhike on the hope of Glory, drawing from what Jesus has done for us, is doing in us and in what He is now and eternally. In Jesus the Christian has been enriched with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ. We enjoy the presence of Jesus, the power of Jesus, the provision of Jesus, the peace of Jesus, access in prayer through Jesus and the High Priestly ministry of Jesus. That Joy we so often find against the dark backdrop of personal disappointment. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

In the suffering, trials and despair, in the fire, furnace and flames of suffering, and in the pressures and problems of life, don't quit. This is not the full story for the Christian, this is but part of the story and that story is a love story. For the Christian there is always a past, and a future, as well as a present. Romans chapter 5 verses 6 to 11 - Dr J Stewart Gillespie

The Christian can stand or fail on our ability to perceive the Glory of God in all things. Trials, pressures and suffering can so quickly become discouraging and overwhelming if we are looking for benefit and blessing for ourselves. God works not for my Glory but for the Glory of God in all things! It is only God who is worthy to be glorified, only God who is morally able and capable to be glorified and God uniquely must be the purpose and object of the the created universe, before creation there was only God! Tracing the glory of God through the book of Esther we identify the Haman spirit and the glory of God typified in Mordecai, a type of Christ. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

The Christian, justified by faith has peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). That peace with God brings us access by faith in Christ into His Grace (Romans 5:2) and that relationship and standing in Grace transforms our Grief to God's Glory. It is this relationship, in peace with the God of the storm that brings us peace in the storm, for it is His storm. He is the God of the storm (Psalm 107) with power over the storm, His presence in the strom and His purpose for His people through the storm. The secret of enjoying practically the peace of God in the suffering experiences of life lies in our abilit to rejoice in the storm, hope in Christ in the storm and expect the fulfillment of God's Glory in the storm. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie New Cumnock

The Christian is able through suffering and tribulation to boast, to glory even to rejoice in their trials and afflictions. This is only possible because as the Christian enters into the fire and flames of affliction he enters in with the Lord Jesus. The 'we' who glory in tribulations in Romans chapter 5 are also the we who have peace with God, the 'we' who are justified and the we who have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. Through suffering we take upon us the yolk of the Lord Jesus and we learn of Him. He proves faithful in our suffering, strengthening that bond of love which is experienced more and more as the problems of life press in upon us. For the Christian suffering has meaning, is transformed by the Grace of God and brings us into a vital experience of the Lord Jesus. An experience of Christ in suffering inspires hope for the future in the same one who has loved us from beginning to end. There is a reason that God molds our character in suffering: It is all of Grace It is all of God It is all of Glory 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie 

Systematic teaching from the book of Romans.

Having bought His children with the blood of the Son of God on the cross, when we were yet sinners we can depend upon our God to not let us down now though the trials, afflictions, tribulations and problems of life. God's Grace is sufficient for the trials of the Christian, opening up for us God's Sovereign Power, prayer and access to God. It is through the trials and afflictions of the Christian life that God brings us to be what we ought to be, living reflections of the Glory of God.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Abraham was not only a man of faith, Abraham was a great man if faith. In Romans chapter 4 he becomes the father of all the faithful, not only the patriach of a nation, Israel but the patriach of the faithful! In Abraham's journey of faith he grasped 3 great truths: Trusted in the the Promises of God Rested in the Power of God Looked for the Glory of God Abraham appreciated that God's plans and purposes for us are not for us to fulfill or make happen, but rather they are called into being by God. The provision of the promised land, the abundance for the beseiged city of Samaria in 2 Kings was not a prvision of our making or doing. As believers we are called into what God Himself has done and provided, resting in faith in the one who provides this great and abundant provision rather than in the provision itself. Romans chapter 4, Abraham the father of the faithful.

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Romans is in essence Paul's answer to a number of serious questions. Is it fair that some are judged never having heard the gospel? The answer is found in Romans chapters 1 to 3. Is justification by faith a new teaching, a new idea from Paul? The answer is found in Romans chapter 4. How can I know I am saved if I do not feel like I am saved? Romans chapter 7 contains that answer. Here in Romans chapter 4 we have the answer to the question, why does God save by faith. The reason for salvation by faith alone is that it is the only means to rest in God's infinite Grace. Since salvation is all of Grace then salvation is for the Glory of God alone. Dr J Stewart Gillespie