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.

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

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

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

Hope does not make ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Ghost. Here in our grief and suffering is God's greatest grace, grief that brings me to grace that brings me to Glory.

J Stewart Gillespie

In Romans chapter 5 Paul challenges the Christian to rejoice in hope of teh Glory of God, not only when life goes well, but through the trials, troubles and tribulations of life. We are to rejoice even when life throws us troubles and suffering. We have four good reasons to rejoice in our afflictions; the third of which lies here in verses 3 to 4, that it is through these pressures and tribulations that God transforms and changes my character, so that my character becomes one approved of God. From falling short of the Glory of God, I am transformed to reflect the true Glory of God in faith like Abraham, in love like Ruth and in hope like Job. 

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.

Rejoicing in tribulations Romans chapter 5 verse 3. The secret of rejoicing in sufferings as a Christian, the consequences of justification by faith and peace with God. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Romans chapter 5 verse 2 brings us to the first consequence of God's great salvation in Jesus Christ. Propitiation brings us into the blessings of expiation, the removal of guilt and justification, the covering of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Now enjoying peace with God, I have access in the name and with the authority of the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ. This brings me into the powerful blessing of prayer, transforming Grief to Glory. 

We rejoice in tribulations also knowing that tribulation works patience. Is it rational or reasonable to rejoice in tribulation or suffering? Surely we ought to 'take arms against a sea of trouble and by opposing end them? Is Hamlet's repsonse to tribulation not the more reasonable or rational response? There is one very good reason why it is reasonable and rational to glory or rejoice in tribulations, trials, pain, problems, and grief and the secret of that is contained within the book of Esther. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Romans chapter 5 verses 1 to 5, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. How God transforms our grief to glory by His Grace. God's transforming grace as seen in the life of Esther. 
Dr J Stewart Gillespie

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

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

Romans chapter 3 verse 25 is arguably the most critically important verse in Romans to grasp and understand. The work of Jesus in saving the sinner is presented in terms of the Old Testament picture or type of the mercy seat on top of the ark of the covenant and of the work of the day of Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement. On the the day of Atonement a double sacrifice was offered, the burnt offering or ascending offering of Leviticus chapter 1 and the Sin Offering. A two fold offering pictured a two fold work of Jesus in His atoning death. Jesus both provides for expiation and the removal of sin and guilt as well as justification, the imputation of righteousness. Here is a full salvation bringing us to the mercy seat and the place of union and communion with God. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of Romans sets out man's sin and failure. We are tested against the first and great commandment to love the Lord our God with our heart soul and mind and we fail. We are tested in Romans chapter 2 against the 10 commandments, the law of God and we fail. We are tested against the 14 fold character of Jesus in chapter 3 and we fall and fail. In making this discovery of our own sin and need we make an even greater discovery! We discover the greatest and glory of Jesus. As much as I have fallen short of the Glory of God, God is able to restore that Glory, righteousness and image of Christ in me by His Holy Spirit. Justification by faith is the beginning of the rest of the Christian life. Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Romans chapter 3 verse 23 is an unlikely conclusion to the first 3 chapters of Romans. Does this verse tell us why we cannot enter heaven? The broken 10 commandments have already proven that we are sinners. "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" points to the truths that as fallen men and women we have lost more than ever realised and in Christ we stand to gain more that we can ever imagine.

Dr J Stewart Gillespie