And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. (John 6:6)
~~~~~~~~~~~
This sermon was preached at Broad Oak Chapel, Heathfield.
~~~~~~~~~~~
*1/ A God that proves his people - "And this he said to prove him."
2/ A God that knows and purposes - "He himself knew."
3/ A God that does - "What he would do."*
**Sermon Summary:**
The sermon centers on the divine sovereignty and faithfulness of God, illustrated through Jesus' testing of Philip and the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, which served as a foundation for deeper spiritual teaching.
It emphasizes that God proves His people not to expose their weakness, but to confirm the reality of His grace and the authenticity of their faith, as seen in trials like Peter's denial and the testing of Abraham's obedience.
The sermon affirms that God, who knows all things and purposes all things, acts with perfect foreknowledge and power, fulfilling His promises from the Old Testament through Christ's incarnation, miracles, and redemptive death, demonstrating that He is not like lifeless idols but the living God who does what He says He will do.
Ultimately, the message is one of profound comfort and assurance: God's plans are certain, His purposes are fulfilled, and His people can trust in His faithfulness, knowing that He will bring them safely to glory, just as He has already done through Christ's resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.