This sermon delves into the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, highlighting the purpose behind Jesus being led by the Spirit to face temptation by the devil. It emphasizes the significance of Jesus being tested to prove His sinlessness and qualification as the Savior. The sermon explores the idea that Jesus, although divine, emptied Himself when becoming human, leading to limitations in His abilities, and the importance of relying on God's word and obedience in times of testing.

Charles Spurgeon preaches on the discipline of grace, emphasizing that grace serves as a schoolmaster to educate, train, and prepare believers for a life of holiness and maturity. Grace instills new principles, inspires gratitude, and cultivates love for God while revealing what is evil and guiding believers in discerning between good and evil. The discipline of grace includes instruction, correction, and chastisement, ultimately leading believers to deny ungodliness, live righteously, and eagerly anticipate the second coming of Christ.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God uses afflictions as a means to cleanse and purify His people, comparing them to fire that burns away impurities and dross. He illustrates that just as fire freed the three champions from their cords, afflictions can liberate Christians from their vanities and sins. Brooks explains that these trials serve various purposes, such as purging, washing, and refining, ultimately leading to a more radiant faith. He reassures that God's intense discipline is a sign of His love and desire for purity in our hearts.

William Burnett preaches on the lessons from Daniel chapter 3, emphasizing the importance of trusting God in the midst of trials, even when facing unbearable circumstances. He warns against distorting truth, exaggerating it, and turning it into an idol, highlighting the dangers of idolizing one truth at the expense of others. Burnett also discusses the influence of religion in political systems, the power of music in idolatry, and the misconception that faith guarantees deliverance from all troubles. He concludes by stressing the presence of God in the fire of trials, reminding believers that they are never alone in their struggles.

David Servant delves into the concept of God's regret and foreknowledge, explaining that God's ability to foreknow is dependent on actual outcomes of free-willed choices. He uses examples of coin tosses, football games, and a mouse in a maze to illustrate this point. The sermon emphasizes that God's regrets, such as creating man and making Saul king, stem from His allowance of free will and the necessity for outcomes to be foreknown. Ultimately, God's redemptive plan will lead to a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells, devoid of pain and suffering.

Charles S. Price preaches about the profound purpose God has in every life, emphasizing that God molds us through various processes to be vessels fit for His use, playing symphonies of heaven through our lifetime. He encourages believers to rest in the assurance that they belong to God and He to them, knowing that God will never fail them in life's tests. Price highlights the importance of self-judgment, urging individuals to identify and remove anything displeasing to God, trusting in His grace and power to overcome. Through the story of Job, he illustrates how trials and tests come to help us know ourselves and lead us to self-judgment, ultimately working together for good for those who love the Lord.

Greek Word Studies delves into the concept of being tested, highlighting that testing can be for good or evil depending on the intent of the tester and the response of the one being tested. The sermon explores the continuous testing of faith as seen in Hebrews 11:17 with Abraham's obedience to God's command regarding Isaac. It emphasizes that trials can have beneficial purposes, be divinely permitted, or lead to temptation, and can come from God, Satan, or our own actions. The sermon also distinguishes between being tempted and being tried, noting that God tests to bring out the best in us, while Satan tempts to bring out the worst.

St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of testing newcomers who seek reformation, requiring them to endure challenges and trials to prove their commitment. He instructs that novices should be carefully observed to ensure their sincerity in seeking God, obedience, and perseverance. The process involves progressively introducing the Rule to the novice, allowing time for reflection and commitment before full acceptance into the community, where they are bound by the Rule's laws.

Charles E. Cowman preaches about God refining His people like a skilled refiner purifying precious metals in the fire, highlighting the meticulous process of removing impurities to reveal the true beauty within. He emphasizes how God's refining fire may bring discomfort and tears, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth and transformation into vessels fit for the King's use. Despite our struggles and doubts, God's love and watchful eye are always upon us, ensuring that we are not subjected to more heat than is needed to make us pure and radiant in His sight.

Ralph Erskine preaches about the Christian purgatory that Christ designed to bring His disciples through, which includes the purifying blood of Christ, the refining fire of the Spirit, and the shaping and pruning work of the cross. In John 15:2, Jesus speaks of purging His followers to bear more fruit, using the analogy of branches. He reveals two elements used for purifying His disciples: the world's hatred and the world's rage, as mentioned in John 15:18-19 and John 16:2.

A.W. Pink's sermon 'Tried by Fire' explores Job's journey through suffering and his ultimate faith in God's omniscience and purpose. Job initially expresses bitterness over his trials but quickly corrects himself, finding comfort in the knowledge that God knows his path and will refine him through testing. Pink emphasizes that divine testing is a necessary part of the Christian experience, leading to spiritual growth and eventual glory. He reassures believers that, despite their struggles, they will emerge from trials as refined gold, reflecting God's image. The sermon encourages Christians to trust in God's plan and to view their afflictions as opportunities for growth and deeper faith.

John Banks preaches about the importance of standing firm in God's foundation, dwelling in safety where the enemy cannot reach, and being willing to part with all for the sake of Christ. He encourages believers to endure trials faithfully, holding fast to their integrity and trusting in God's refining work to make them vessels for His use. Banks warns against dishonoring God through insincere actions and urges unity among believers to experience God's blessings and everlasting life.

Mary Wilder Tileston, through the analogy of refining silver and gold, emphasizes the meticulous process of purification that God undertakes in our lives. Just as a refiner carefully watches the metal until it reflects his image like a mirror, Jesus, as the Refiner, attentively oversees the purification of our souls on earth. The fire of trials and challenges separates the pure metal of holiness from the dross of sin within us, with Jesus eagerly awaiting the moment when the purifying work is complete. The ultimate goal of this refining process is for the Image of Christ to be fully reflected in us, signifying the completion of our purification. Tileston encourages us to lift our eyes amidst the flames and behold Jesus' compassionate gaze, filled with tender pity and intense love.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God uses severe providences and fiery trials to refine and purify His people from sin, much like how gold and silver are refined in fire. He illustrates that all believers, despite their best efforts, carry corruption and dross that need to be purged through trials. These challenges serve as a medicinal process to cleanse the soul and help believers overcome their strong lusts, ultimately leading to a more virtuous life. Brooks encourages the faithful to bless God for these trials, as they lead to spiritual victory and growth. The sermon highlights the transformative power of God's refining process in the lives of His people.