Nehemiah 2:1-5 NIV

“In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.””

Nehemiah’s vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem teaches us that God’s dreams often require hard work and community involvement.

Like Nehemiah, Bridge is called to a great work!

Lessons from Nehemiah:

1. You will never move until your heart is moved. (Nehemiah 1:5; 2:2 NIV)

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”

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“so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

2. Movements start with movement. (Nehemiah 2:4-5 NIV)

“The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.””

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3. Others move when I obediently move with God. (Nehemiah 2:17-18 NIV)

“Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.”

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God is moving. Am I willing to move with God?

Esther 4:12-14 NIV

“When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?””

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Esther’s courage to act on her dream of saving her people illustrates that God places us in strategic positions for His purposes.

INTRODUCTION: We are here on purpose for God's purpose!

Three things we learn from Esther:

1. The comfort zone is the dead zone. (Esther 4:12-13 NIV)

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.

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2. Inaction is action with a high cost. (Esther 4:14a NIV)

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

3. God positions us for His purpose. (Esther 4:14b NIV)

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

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CONCLUSION: Bridge we exist for 'for such a time as this!

Exodus 3:10 NIV

“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.””

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Main Idea: Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush ignited a call/dream to free the Israelites, showing that God equips those He calls.

Never underestimate what God can do through one person who is fully submitted to His will.

Embrace the Ordinary (Exodus 3:1)

Encounter the Extaordinary (Exodus 3:2-4)

Expect the Miraclous from God (Exodus 3:20-22)

Moses saw the provision of God as he moved toward the call.

Genesis 37:5-11 NIV

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”
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Joseph's dreams were not just visions; they were God's blueprint for his life and the lives of those around him.

The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy... (John 10:10)

Dream Thieves:

1. Jealousy of others... (Joseph's brothers were Jealous)
2. False Accusations... (Potipher's wife accused him)
3. Misplaced Hope... (Cupbearer forgot about him)
4. Elapsed Time... (22 years before the dream became destiny)

Destiny Revealed:

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

February 1, 2026

The Process of Transformation

Romans 12: 1-2 (NIV)
1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. 2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

If You Change Nothing, Nothing Will Change

1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)
16. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Timothy 4: 3 (NIV)
3. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Jesus is unchanging: (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus who is unchanging is constantly changing us: (2 Corinthians 5:17)

As we follow Jesus we're in a constant state of transformation. Daily we are becoming more Christlike.

Jesus transforms us through:

1. Information (The importance of God's word in the life of the believer)
2. Illumination (Holy Spirit illuminates God's word)
3. Revelation (Revealed truth)
4. Transformation (Truth sets us free because it renews our mind. It changes the way we think)

CONCLUSION: Transformation is possible when you follow Jesus and allow him to be the Lord of your life.