April 5, 2026
Easter at Bridge
Uncommon Hope

John 11:1-6 (NIV)

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."

When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,

John 11:2 (NIV)

(This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)

John 11:19-20 (NIV)

and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

Uncommon Hope
1. Reaches Beyond the Present

John 11:21-22 (NIV)

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

Joel 2:12 (NIV)

"Even now," declares the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Uncommon Hope
2. Rest in God's Promises

John 11:23 (NIV)

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

John 11:24 (NIV)

Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

Uncommon Hope
3. Relies on a person, not a plan

John 11:25 (NIV)

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Uncommon Hope
4. Responds with personal faith

John 11:27 (NIV)

"Yes, Lord," she replied, "I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

John 11:34 (NIV)

"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.

John 11:33-36 (NIV)

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

John 11:37 (NIV)

But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

John 11:39 (NIV)

"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

John 11:41-42 (NIV)

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

John 11:43 (NIV)

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

John 11:44 (NIV)

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

April 3, 2026
Good Friday
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)

But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

The seven last statements
of JESUS on the cross

Statement 1

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Luke 23:34a (NIV)

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Statement 2

And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43 (NKJV)

Statement 3

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
John 19:26-27 (NKJV)

Statement 4

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
Matthew 27:46 (NKJV)

Habakkuk 1:13a (NKJV)

You are of purer eyes than to behold evil,
And cannot look on wickedness.

Statement 5

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"
John 19:28 (NKJV)

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Statement 6

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19:30 (NKJV)

Statement 7

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:46 (NKJV)

John 10:29 (NIV)

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT)

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV)

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:1-5 (NIV)

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

Matthew 21:1-5 (NIV)

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
"Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "

Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey--
riding on a donkey's colt.

Genesis 49:11 (NIV)

He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.

Matthew 21:6-11 (NIV)

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

Matthew 21:6-11 (NIV)

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

Matthew 21:6-11 (NIV)

The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Public Honor

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Matthew 21:8 (NIV)

Passionate Praise

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
Matthew 21:9 (NIV)

Psalms 47:7 (KJV)

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Puzzled Perception

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Matthew 21:10-11 (NIV)

Revelation 19:11-12 (NIV)

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

March 22, 2026

Test Me

Haggai 1:5 (NKJV)

5Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!

Haggai 1:6-7 (NKJV)

6"You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."
7Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!

Psalms 24:1 (NIV)

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;

Psalms 50:12 (NIV)

If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NASB)

In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)

But since you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you --see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Prioritize the Principle

Romans 11:16 (NKJV)

For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV)

Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the first fruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Prove the Promise

Perfect the Practice

Malachi 3:6-9 (NIV)

"I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty.
"But you ask, ‘How are we to return?'
"Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

Malachi 3:6-9 (NIV)

"But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse--your whole nation--because you are robbing me.

Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Malachi 3:11 (NKJV)

"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,"
Says the Lord of hosts;

1 It provides for God's house
2 It tells God I trust Him
3 It creates margin in my life for God to fill

4 It reminds me that I am not my source
5 It connects my money to a kingdom purpose
6 It gives my job eternal significance

7 It transforms my money into a seed
8 It breaks greed and self-reliance
off of my heart
9 It lets everything else in my life
know that God is first

March 15, 2026

The Tithe: A Test of Faith

Malachi 3:10-12 (NIV)

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the Lord Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.

Matthew 23:23 (NIV)

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Tithing is not just a duty but a divine invitation to experience God's provision and blessings.

What would happen if we actually put God first?

Tithe with Trust

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Malachi 3:10a (NIV)

Test the Truth

Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Malachi 3:10b (NIV)

Triumph over the Thief

I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the Lord Almighty.
Malachi 3:11 (NIV)

The blessed life is a God-first life!

March 8, 2026

SEEK FIRST - Aligning Our Priorities

1 Kings 19:3-4 (NIV)

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

Never be afraid of an unknown future when you have a known God

1 Kings 19:13 (NIV)

When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy

6. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

24"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV)

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

27Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ?

Matthew 6:28-30 (NIV)

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?

Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)

31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

March 1, 2026
Dreaming of Restoration

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

1In 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, 2so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

I was very much afraid, 3but 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?"
4The king said to me, "What is it you want?"
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5and I answered the

Nehemiah 2:1-5 (NIV)

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."

1. You will never move until your heart is moved.

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

1The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5Then I said:
"Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6let your ear be attentive

Nehemiah 1:1-6 (NIV)

and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed against you.

Psalms 119:112 (KJV)

112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Nehemiah 2:2a (NIV)

2so 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 2:12-13 (NIV)

12I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
13By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of

Nehemiah 2:12-13 (NIV)

Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.

3. Others move when I obediently move with God.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV)

17Then 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." 18I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV)

They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.