1. Stone of Celebration

2. It isn’t any trouble just to S-M-I-L-E
Psalm 100:1-2
“If the skies above you are grey and you are feeling so blue, sing and you’ll be happy today”
Psalm 95:1-2

3. God made us with the ability to smile and laugh

4. “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverb 15:13)
The word “cheerful” means “to make beautiful, happy”
A cheerful person begins with a cheerful heart

5. “A merry heart does good, like medicine” (Proverb 17:22)
There is power in laughter
Nehemiah knew the blessing of a happy heart
In the 12th chapter, the people are smiling, laughing, cheering, and rejoicing
Nehemiah 12:27
Nehemiah 12:43

6. The Stone of Celebration

7. They celebrated by singing
When Moses and the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they sang a song (Exodus 15)
The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem was singing
Singing was divided into two groups

8. Ezra’s group went south to the Refuse Gate then to the Fountain and Water Gate (12:31-37)
Nehemiah’s group went north past the Old Gate then to the Fish and Sheep Gate (12:39)
They were “two large thanksgiving choirs” (12:31)
The singers offered their praise thankfully (12:46), joyfully (12:43), and loudly (12:42-43)
The singers sang so loud that the “joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off” (12:43)

9. They celebrated by sacrificing
A lot of money has been spent during those “good moods”
Those who are truly happy to be God’s people display joy by giving
Nehemiah records what they offered

10. They gave liberally (12:44)
They gave sacrifices from their firstfruits
An offering is described as liberal
We must sow bountifully and not sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6)

11. They gave repeatedly (12:47)
They gave “each day” (12:47)
Their giving was not a onetime thing but continuous
We are to give as we prosper on the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2)
A happy heart is shown by its giving

12. The Stone of Celebration