BRAVE Church

This week we discussed how we can truly be set free in Christ and no longer remain a slave to our sin. In the book of Exodus, God sent the first 9 plagues to punish Egypt for their disobedience to Him. After the Pharoah and Egypt refused to repent God sent the tenth plague which was the death of the first-born in every home. In order to protect Israel God prescribed the blood of a lamb to be applied on the doorposts of every home. This blood would cause the angel of death to "pass over" that home and spare the life of the first-born. Not only did God use this plague to show His power, but it was also the final plague that caused Pharoah and Egypt to beg the nation of Israel to leave. In this text we see God's power and protection of Israel as well as His strong hand to deliver. This story not only reminds us of the necessity of the body and blood of Christ, but also His desire to deliver us completely from our sin. May this week's message and these questions help you to grow in taking steps of faith towards true freedom in Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed how long-term obedience in the same direction transforms our lives. In chapter 11 of the book of Exodus we read about a different Moses than when he was called by God. He went from a wishy-washy, nominal follower of God to becoming a passionate, bold representative of the Lord. This was not an accident because when a man or a woman decides to give Jesus Christ their all, He begins to change them over time. He is willing to take anyone who is willing and transform their lives with His power. This section of Scripture, which is often glossed over when reading Exodus, is replete with the details of how God's transformative power is at work. May this week's message touch your heart and grow you into deeper obedience with the Lord. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed the courage it takes to respond to the Gospel and the courage it takes to share it with others. Throughout the Old and New Testament God calls His people to not only live the Gospel but to share it. Jesus Christ is Lord and wants us to bow our knee to Him in submission and serve Him only. This study of Exodus shows us how we can share with the unrepentant and how we can make sure that we courageously respond to the Gospel ourselves rather than some form of religion. Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life and we need to lift Him high so that He will draw all men to himself. May this week's message be a catalyst for you to respond to the Gospel and to share the Gospel with others. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we addressed two consistent themes that pervade the Scriptures: The glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. God wants to make Himself known throughout the whole world and chooses to use His servants to advance kingdom. Even as we pray The Lord's Prayer, we initially discuss the holiness and glory of God followed by asking for His kingdom to come. In the book of Exodus, we see how God's chosen servant was called to demonstrate God's glory to Pharoah and for His rule and reign to take place in Egypt. As Moses goes to Pharoah there is more than a discussion, there is a proclamation that God wants to be made known in the way He chooses. Pharoah's rejection of the true God and lack of repentance results in compounding plagues that ultimately show God's glory and the fact that His plan will indeed succeed. May this week's message be an encouragement to how God uses you to advance His kingdom and demonstrate His glory to a world that is desperate for Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

There is nothing quite so painful and disappointing as unmet expectations. Some of life's greatest challenges arise in areas of our lives when we are expecting something that does not materialize. This can happen on a micro-scale when somebody does not show up on time for a meeting or on a macro-scale when we are overlooked for a position that is handed to someone less qualified. Throughout our lives we experience unmet expectations and therefore we work to shield our lives from this by aligning our lives with people we trust. One of the blessings of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is that He is completely trustworthy, and we can rely on him one hundred percent of the time. However, we find through experience that following Jesus can be disappointing at times. This week we unpacked five surprising expectations that will help us as we journey with Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

When someone is trying to get our attention, we can respond in a myriad of different ways. We can choose to ignore the call, we can have them leave a message, or we can immediately answer and engage. When God calls us for His purposes, He desires that we immediately respond and continue to journey with him by faith. God is the one who does the work, but faith is what is required of us. If we have faith the size of mustard seed that will be enough, but without faith it is impossible to please God. So, how does trusting God really operate? What must a believer to trust in order for God to fulfill the calling in his life. Exodus 4 teaches us how to respond to God when He calls us into service. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed how when God sees a problem and has a solution, he goes looking for that man in order to make him a worshipper. Often when we consider the notion of worship our thoughts wander to liturgy and style rather than to the person of Jesus Christ. Worship is when a person gives their full allegiance in all areas of their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. God wants us to seek Him first and yet so often we want to simply have God in the background just to help if we encounter problems in our journey. God wants to be our God. God wants us to know and fear Him and yet also recognize His mercy and grace that overflows abundantly! In this study of Exodus 3 we seek how God reveals Himself to Moses and how God wants to use his life. God has been active in Moses' life from the time He was born but now is growing deeper in His understanding of the Lord. Our patient God wants us to know Him as the Sovereign Creator who is all powerful and Transcendent, loving God who cares for every area of our lives! May this week's message challenge you to become a greater worshipper of the Lord Jesus Christ! Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed God's sovereign orchestration for every single person's life. We learned in the Word of God that every human being is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) and that we are God's masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). He has set the times and locations for us to live (Acts 17) and desires to use our lives for His glory. As believers in Christ, we often ask the question, "What is God's plan for my life?" or concern ourselves with the belief that we are not living out our destiny. In Exodus 2, we learn that God is always in control and by relying completely on Him and seeking Him first, He will certainly use us for His glory. As you listen to the message, consider how special you are to the Lord and how He is using you even when you don't realize it. May the Lord give you great hope and remind you of His incredible love for you as you seek Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Difficulties occur all the time in the Christian life because we live in a sinful and broken world that is hostile to the Lord. When these trying circumstances occur, we sometimes understand that this is a normal part of the Christian life. The challenges mount when these situations escalate and no matter how hard we pray, worship or read our Bibles our situation goes from bad to worse. During seasons like this we can often question God's goodness or if he even cares for us. Learning to trust the Lord in difficulties is one of the ways that God grows our character and helps build spiritual muscles in God's plan for our lives. Learning what we can specifically trust God for can truly help us as God orchestrates our circumstances. This week we highlighted four areas where a believer can trust in God. Use these to help you mature in your faith. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub