March 1, 2026

Series: Imagine

Sermon Title: Dreaming of Restoration

Text: 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.””

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

INTRODUCTION: 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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CONCLUSION: God is moving. Am I willing to move with God?

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