Bridges: Building Bridges Part 2

Last week we kicked off the theme for the year. Our church theme for 2020 is “Build A Bridge”. And we looked at the beginning of Nehemiah’s journey to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Purpose of a bridge: “A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle, such as a body of water, valley, or road, without closing the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, usually something that can be detrimental to cross otherwise.”

The bridge represents your journey to God’s calling on your life. The bridge represents the people God is calling you to influence in 2020. The bridge represents a cause God is calling you to engage with in 2020.

Passage: Nehemiah 2:1-10 CSB

During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, 2 so the king said to me, “Why are you sad, when you aren’t sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear 3 and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of the heavens 5 and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” 6 The king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So I gave him a definite time, and it pleased the king to send me.

7 I also said to the king: “If it pleases the king, let me have letters written to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. 8 And let me have a letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to rebuild the gates of the temple’s fortress, the city wall, and the home where I will live.” The king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was on me. 9 I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent officers of the infantry and cavalry with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to pursue the prosperity of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.

Pray:

Background:

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the King of Persia. He was also a Jew and the Jews are currently in exile. Meaning that he is a slave to the King. He hears word about his people in distress. The walls are rotted and torn down and they are left defenceless. Nehemiah was not weeping for the broken walls, but for the brokenness of the people. He felt compassion for their welfare and this news led Nehemiah to both deep sadness and great courage.

Title: Building Bridges Part 2

Big Idea: From where you are to where God is calling you to go

Main Points: The Process

1. Pray First
   1. “Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of the heavens 5 and answered the king,” - Nehemiah 2:4-5
   2. A burden without prayer is a journey without divine direction
   3. “Anything that doesn’t first start with prayer and fasting is flaude from the beginning.” - James Forlines
   4. People or Cause (Write on whiteboard)
      1. People - Family, gym friends, co-workers, waiter at The Buff, barista at Boxcar, homeless, children, sick in the hospital, etc
      2. Cause - human trafficking, foster care, adoption, the poor, the depressed, the lonely, clean water, sustainable farming, etc.

   5. If you want to live with a purpose, then get a burden for something bigger than yourself.

      1. “What bothers you could be your burden.”
      2. “What annoys you might be what you’re anointed for.”

      3. Follow Favor

         1. “if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah… and it pleased the king to send me.” - Nehemiah 2:5-6
         2. Favor is not found in the grind, it’s found in grace.

      4. Nobody deserves the favor of God. Nobody can earn the favor of God. Nobody can force the favor of God.

         3. Favor is the anointing of God given to humanity for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom and bringing honor to God.
         4. Favor definition “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.”
         5. Step into favor

      5. Faith

         1. “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast.” - ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

         2. “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭CSB‬‬ 2. Righteousness

         3. “For you, Lord, bless the righteous one; you surround him with favor like a shield.” - ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:12 CSB

         4. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” - ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84:11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

         5. “One who is good obtains favor from the Lord, but he condemns a person who schemes.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭CSB‬‬ 3. Faithfulness

         6. “Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:3-4‬ ‭CSB‬‬ 4. Humility

         7. “This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word.” - ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:2‬ ‭CSB‬‬ 5. Wisdom

         8. “For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭8:35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

            6. Question: What is your next step?

      6. God told Jonah “Go to Ninevah”

      7. God told Noah “Build a boat”
      8. God told Moses “Set my people free”
      9. God told Ezra “Build the temple”
      10. God told Nehemiah “Build a wall”

      11. Take Action

          1. “I also said to the king:” - Nehemiah 2:7
          2. Nehemiah Requested & Received:

      12. Protection - letters written to the governors

      13. Provision - letter written to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest (home where I will live.)

      14. People - officers of the infantry and cavalry with me.

          3. Prayer and a burden without action make you a spectator. Prayer, a burden, and action makes you a contributor. Prayer, a burden, and God’s favor, makes you unstoppable.
          4. Build A Bride

      15. Build a bridge with your spouse/kids

      16. Build a bridge with other churches
      17. Build a bridge with the poor
      18. Build a bridge with the broken
      19. Build a bridge with the outcast
      20. Build a bridge with the politicians
      21. Build a bridge with the schools
      22. Build a bridge with your co-workers

      23. Build a bridge and point people to Jesus.

          5. Don’t wait for someone else to build the bridge, pick up a hammer. Gather the resources. Recruit a team and pick up your stones. Be bold!

      24. We’re not called to be passive in our purpose! There’s a sense of urgency around us all.

          6. Build a bridge that will last for generations. Build a bridge that will lead to salvation. Build a bridge that will leverage your influence. Build a bridge that will rise above the raging water! Build a bridge that goes further than others thought possible.
          7. A lasting bridge is not build on the human effort, but the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
          8. Build a bridge that both the Religious and Secular don’t understand. Build a bridge that evokes friendly fire and enemy engagement.

      25. Expect Opposition

          1. “When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to pursue the prosperity of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.” - Nehemiah 2:10
          2. Illust: Slackline

      26. The first time you try slacklining it is not easy. Your body has yet to experience the necessary balance required to get you to the other side. It takes consistency and practice before you begin to really get comfortable on the slackline. But after a while, you begin to get better and better. The surprise wears off and you can begin to anticipate the movements. You no longer overcompensate one way or the other, but you rely on what you’ve learned the last 100 attempts.

      27. When you first start stepping out in faith, it oftentimes feel shaky and unstable. You wonder if you’re ever going to make it to the otherside. Opposition comes and your faith becomes shaky.
      28. Example: Peter walking on water
      29. Peter took His eyes off Jesus
      30. Faith is putting your trust in who God is and how faithful He is over and over again.
      31. See, I’ve been here before. I’ve walked this line before. I’ve experience this opposition before. This isn’t new territory for me. I know how to handle the shake. I know how to handle the opposition. And I’ve experienced God’s faithfulness in my life.

Closing: