Time to Celebrate
Nehemiah 12:27-47
PROPOSITION: Serving God should result in celebration.
Introduction
1. “Happy” is not – funny, silly, humorous
2. “Happy” is – pleasure, delight, joy
There are four elements needed for celebration
1. Clean Up Your Act – 30
a. First purify yourself – Get right with God
b. Make sure your life is in harmony with God’s will
c. Begin your prayer – Forgive me so my prayer will be acceptable
d. Examine yourself – Lord’s Supper, Are you in the faith?
e. Song – “Is Thy Heart Right with God?”
2. Everybody On the Wall – 31, 38, 43
a. Nehemiah, leaders of Judah
b. Great choir – with Ezra
c. 2nd choir – with Nehemiah
d. Women and children – 43
3. Needed: Smiling, Singing Saints – 43
a. Proverbs 17:22
b. Proverbs 15:13
c. Verse 43 – Great sacrifices and rejoiced
d. Verse 43 – Joy of Jerusalem was heard far away
4. The Secret: The Right Focus
a. “Happiness is not dependent on outward circumstances, but upon inward focus.”
b. Keep your eyes on Jesus – Hebrews 12:2
c. Remember why you are in the swamp. “When surrounded by alligators, it is difficult to remember that you came here to drain the swamp.”