Introduction

·        Illustration: A young man falls while mountain climbing, and his friends pull him back up as he holds the rope in his teeth.

·        Trials are hardships and difficulties over which we have no control.

      -     Job 14:1, 5:7; 1 Peter 4:12

·        How will be deal with the inevitable trials that come our way?

·        Big Idea: Worship is the tool that helps us overcome life's fiery trials.

Paul and Silas endured perils.

·        They were publicly humiliated by the demon possessed girl, her angry owner, and before the city magistrates in the marketplace.

·        They were put on public display and publicly flogged.

·        They were unjustly imprisoned and shackled.

Paul and Silas dealt with this mistreatment by worshiping God in prison.

·        They prayed.

      -     Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17; Matthew 5:10–12; Philippians 1:29;            Matthew 6:9–13

·        They sang.

      -     Acts 16:25

·        They were delivered, and brought the jailor and others to Christ.

      -     Illustration: G. Campbell Morgan described the contentment and joy of Paul and         Silas in prison as, "the supreme marvel of the Christian consciousness and the     Christian triumph."

We can also overcome trials through worship.

·        Worship lifts us from our present troubles.

      -     Psalm 73: 1-3; 16, 17; 21-28

·        Worship reminds us of the mercy of God.

      -     Psalm 119:50; 143

·        Worship focuses us upon the power of God.

      -     Job 23:10

Conclusion

Illustration: Wylie recounts the story of suffering Christian businessman, Horatio G. Spafford, who endured a lifetime of tragedy and loss, yet still wrote the words to "It Is Well With My Soul."