THE FOUR SQUARE GOSPEL

ROMANS 1:1

A. BIBLE STUDENTS HAVE, AT TIMES, BEEN PUZZLED AS TO WHY THE NEW JERUSALEM IS FOUR SQUARE
  1. Is there a hidden meaning in this plan by God?
  2. Is it symbolical of the four square gospel of Jesus Christ? Rev. 21:16
  3. The object of this sermon is to show that the gospel of Christ is four square:
    1. The height, the breadth, the length, and depth are the measurements of God's love - Eph. 3:17, 18; Rom. 11:33
    2. These dimensions are our assurance of the inexhaustible love of God; nothing can come between us and God's love. Paul dramatizes this love in his Epistle to the Romans. It will do us great good to meditate upon Rom. 8:31-39
B. THE FOUR SQUARE GOSPEL IS THE BURDEN OF OUR MESSAGE TODAY
  1. Sinners are saved by grace:
    1. That is the divine reason for saving us - unmerited, undeserved, and unworthy of God's mercy - Eph. 2:7, 8
    2. This grace became operative when sin began - in the Garden of Eden - Tit. 2:11; Rom. 5:12-19 EXAMPLES -
      1. Noah and his family were saved by grace - Gen. 6:8
      2. Lot and his children were saved by grace - Gen. 19:14- 18
      3. Ancient Israel was saved from bondage by the grace of God - Ex. 33:12, 16; Jer. 31:2; Zech. 4:7
  2. Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ: Rom. 5:9; Heb. 9:14, 22, 23
    1. That is the price for our salvation - 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19
    2. It is God's cleansing power - Isa. 1:18, 19; 1 John 1:7, 9; Rev. 1:5
  3. Saved by faith in Jesus Christ: Rom. 5:1; Acts 16:31
    1. Faith based upon the Word of God - Rom. 10:14-17
    2. Faith that is active produces loving obedience to the holy will of God - Jas. 2:24-26; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 1:5; Phil. 2:12, 13
  4. Saved by works - the fruit of living faith in God's Word: Jas. 2:24-28
    1. This square has been a stumbling block to many misinformed people.
    2. They have the idea that works are of a carnal nature and are excluded from the plan of salvation.
    3. But they overlook the fact that the Bible speaks of two kinds of works -
      1. The works of the flesh - Gal. 5:19-21. These works are, indeed, excluded from the kingdom of God - Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:11
      2. But the works that are the fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God are the evidence of our salvation; they are not excluded.
    4. Let us, briefly, note what the Bible says about these works -
      1. If people are the children of the kingdom of God they will show it by their works - John 8:39; Matt. 7:16-19
      2. Faith without works is dead - Jas. 2:17, 20, 26
      3. Abraham was justified by works - Jas. 2:21; Gen. 22:12
      4. By works faith is made perfect - Jas. 1:22, 23; 2:22; Rom. 2:13, 14
      5. Our Lord pronounces blessings upon the deeds of those who are invited to enter the kingdom of heaven - Matt. 25:31-46
    5. When we view the four square gospel in the light of these facts, we can see light in comparing it to the city of God which lieth four square.
    6. It emphasizes the fact that with God no truth is minor; they all are the same.


Design © John Bryant 2011