Real Joy

April 11 & 12, 2015
The first in a series of messages on your deepest concerns.

We all want to be happy but bad things happen to everyone. Suffering is a normal part of our lives. Reality is a tough place to live, but denying reality won’t do us any good. Sadness seems like a better fit for our circumstances than happiness, but we’re all still striving to feel good, despite all the difficulties inherent in being human.

What we need is something like happiness, but something stronger than happiness, something less susceptible to fading, something that won’t dissolve in the Oregon rain. What we need is joy and this weekend we will look at what the Bible teaches about experiencing real joy. We’ll especially focus on what Paul the Apostle wrote to the church at Philippi. This message will kick off a new series on the top needs you have expressed in the last few Good Friday prayer experiences. I hope to see you in worship.