The creation of the universe, the formation of man, salvation and suffering are all for the glory of God, for all are effected by His power! The same is true in sanctification, in living for God as a Christian! This too is for His Glory and thus the Christian life must be lived by His power, not by dependence upon the flesh following laws, rules, routines and rituals but by the power of the Spirit of God. It is only once lived out by the Spirit that we are able to produce fruit for God. Systematic teaching from Romans. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie 

New Cumnock.

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

It was when we were without strength in due time, at the right season, Christ died for the ungodly. Divine opportunity transects human crisis. Opportunity arises from Divine Decree, Personal Decision and thus human destiny. Romans chapter 5 verse 6 presents the primary and preeminent season of opportunity, that of Christ, His cross and salvation. In moments of crisis Elisha a prophet was anointed, in days of crisis, Samuel a priest was ordained and against the background of crisis David the king arose. Opportunity comes in the crisis of God's moments of purpose, don't miss them. 

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