BRAVE Church

This week we studied the Ten Commands and the uniqueness of God's holiness in relationship to that of sinful man. We learned that the law is good and useful for us in our lives if we understand the purpose of the law. God uses the law to define His holiness, our sinfulness and a need for forgiveness. In the Old Testament the sacrificial system was established so that blood could be shed to cover sin. However, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ comes as Lord and Savior to die on the cross and shed his blood so that once and for all our sins can be completely wiped away. We are instructed to celebrate the law and honor the law but in Christ we find the end of the law for those who believe. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law and is now living in the hearts of those who believe. This means I am not trying to adhere to the rigorous demands of the law, but rather trusting Jesus Christ to live out His purposes of the law in and through me. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed the holiness of God and why it is so important that we know His character if we are going to approach Him. In Exodus 19 we see the nation of Israel being introduced to the God who performed all the amazing works and wonders to deliver them from the hand of the Egyptians. Here at Mt. Sinai, Moses is summoned to the top of the mountain to receive instructions for how this meeting is to take place. He returns and tells them how to prepare themselves for meeting the God of the universe. They are told to consecrate themselves for three days so that they will be ready to meet with God. They are also told to keep their distance when they approach Him. If they or anyone else or an animal crosses the boundary that has been established, they will be put to death. God arrives as fire on the mountain, and they experience an earthquake all of Israel is terrified! God is so holy that Israel needs to recognize He is unlike anyone or anything they have ever known. As Moses warns the people it is a reminder that we must warn people about the holiness of God. Without understanding God's holiness, we miss out on the fullness of the Gospel. May this week's message challenge and encourage you in your walk with Jesus Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed how we can strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we can become a leader of leaders. Once a person is saved there is a strong desire to serve the Lord, but often we don't feel like we are doing a good enough job. Books, leadership conferences, podcasts attempt to help us gain the confidence we need but often leave us feeling inept and believing that we are just not ready to make disciples. The enemy works overtime to show us how we are not able to be used by God to the full, which leads to discouragement. Thankfully, God's Word provides insight in how we can best serve the Lord and how it is possible for every single believer to have influence in a mighty way. May this week's message encourage and bless you as you take steps with the Lord to invest in others. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we kicked off the 2023 calendar year with a message from Mark 9 about Jesus' healing of a young possessed boy. As Jesus returns from the mountain with Peter, James and John he sees a crowd of people arguing with His other 9 disciples. When he questions what is taking place, a father brings his son to Jesus and explains that he came for help but that Jesus' disciples were inept. Jesus is bothered by the lack of the faith in both His disciples and in the nation of Israel and asks to have the boy brought to Him. As the boy approaches Jesus the evil spirit throws him to the ground for one final violent action. Jesus commands the deaf and mute spirit to leave and never return and the boy is completely freed and healed. The disciples wonder why they were not able to heal but Jesus explains that this kind only comes out through prayer. Prayer is a continued posture not a one-time act. Prayer is a way of connecting with and hearing God and being obedient to His voice. Prayer is a gift. Prayer grows our faith. May this week's message encourage and unleash your faith as you continue in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we talked about expectations that we can have when we lead for the Lord. In any venue being a spiritual leader comes with responsibilities and expectations. Often, we think we can do better than the people who are leading us until we receive that same mantle of responsibility. We then learn that leading is far more comprehensive and that the ways we are leading actually cause some problems for others. There is nothing wrong to aspire to leadership, but we must remember that serving is what leadership is all about. It is taking initiative for an individual or a group of people to influence them to walk closer with the Lord. The challenge for the leader is that simply being obedient to God will bring heartache and frustration to the people you are leading and ultimately to you. May this week's message prepare your heart for your calling and comfort you in your current position. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we studied the beginning of Israel's journey with God through the wilderness. Following an amazing spiritual victory on the banks of the Red Sea, Israel celebrated with praise to the Lord lead by the men. However, it only took three days until Israel was frustrated again with the fact that they were thirsty and there was nothing to drink. They grumbled against Moses for being a poor leader and yet God graciously provided for them anyways. God is so merciful that He is always providing, however He was teaching Israel what they needed to do in order to experience His ongoing blessings. In the section of Scripture God was helping them understand what His requirements were for His children to continue to experience His best. If we want to experience God's gracious provision in our lives, He has given us the instruction necessary for us to obey. May this week's message speak clearly to you as you continue to seek the Lord. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we studied the Victory Song that Moses and the Sons of Israel sang after God crushed Pharoah and his men. Once the battle was complete, the men sang praise to God for delivering them from their enemies. Understanding what took place in chapter 15 is essential for us to understand why God asks us to praise Him and why praise should be so natural. Everyone was created in the image of God and God has designed everyone to be a worshipper of Him. When we don't praise the Lord, we will find something less worthy to devote our praise. Praise is so natural and yet we often associate it with the type or style of music rather than the Person of Christ whom we are worshipping. As we looked at Exodus 15 this week, we also recognized that one of the reasons praise may be difficult is that we are not truly saved. May the Lord bless the proclamation of His Word and may He speak directly through your heart through this timeless song. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed how we can trust God in our trials. Jesus told us that in this world we would have tribulation. It's a promise that when we walk with the Lord there are going to be challenges that we did not expect. How we respond to these challenges will make a huge difference in our walk with the Lord and the impact we will have on other people. In Exodus 14 we learn of five musts for trusting God in our trials. What was true a few millennia ago is still true today: we have a tendency to desire to respond in our flesh rather than responding in faith. We also have a proclivity to forget that God is still at work and using our trials that He has authored for our glory. Through our trials we have some of the greatest potential to see God show up and show out! So, when trials come, follow these truths and expect to see God move mightily. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed the need to pass the spiritual baton to the next generation. Our salvation is very important to the Lord, but He wants to use us to build up our children and their children so that they can go further than we ever dreamed. God created the family and wants parents to model and champion His values so that the next generation will live for Christ. Even those who have no children are to entrust the truths of God to the next generation. With young people leaving the church at an alarming rate, what can we do to ensure that that the kingdom of God advances in this next generation? When we turn to Exodus 13, we learn some very significant truths to share and how we are to live so that the spiritual baton is passed effectively. May this week's message encourage you to grow in Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub