DETERMINED
Pastor Jeremy Helmuth
Joyfulness (Nehemiah 12)
March 17-19, 2023
The JOY of the LORD
Happiness is based upon what is happening around us, and that kind of emotion is fleeting. But joy lives much deeper. After the wall was built in Jerusalem, the people celebrated by rejoicing. In this historic account, we get a clear picture of a joyful heart.
A joyful heart must be
A joyful heart must
A joyful heart comes from
not
A joyful heart is
The soul who
is the one we want to
Discussion Questions
Feeling ROBBED of JOY?
Has something or someone robbed you of your joy (Proverbs 17:22)? Are you feeling a rain cloud over your life because you have lost God’s gift of joy? Do you believe that “thanking” God for various things will produce joy in your heart? How much do you give thanks throughout a regular day?
How THANKFUL are YOU?
Paul regularly gives thanks for his fellow believers (1 Th 1:2; 3:9; 5:16-18; 2 Th 1:3; 2:13; Philemon 1:4). When is the last time you’ve paused to think about how good it is to have other believers around you? Have you told anyone lately how thankful you are for him or her? Or do you constantly complain about them?
Is CONTENTMENT your GOAL?
Read about Paul’s sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:23-33). How would you handle all of these issues? Imprisoned, flogged, 40 lashes 5x, beaten with rods 3x, stoned, shipwrecked 3x, bandits, lacked sleep, hunger, thirst, cold, naked, pressure for churches, feels weak, temptation. In spite of this, he learned to be content (Philippians 4:10-13). What is the secret to contentment?
Do you TRUST God RIGHT NOW?
Are you in a difficult circumstance right now? Do you wish you were at a different level economically, educationally, socially, professionally? How can you focus this week on trusting God that you are right where He wants you for the moment.
How CONTAGIOUS is your JOY?
“Rejoicing could be heard from afar” (Neh 12:43). Can anyone hear your laughter, see your smile, or sense your heart singing because “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10)?