BRAVE Church

Speaker: Larry Stockstill

This week we finished the book of Hebrews by addressing five diagnostic questions for every believer. As the author of Hebrews finishes his exhortation to his audience, he urges them to continue with faith in Jesus Christ. Instead of simply spelling out the exhortations, this week Pastor Jeff formed five questions for every believer to ask of themselves. These questions should be questions that every believer continue to ask so that they may continue their growth in Christ. Proper answers to these questions will result in sacrifice but also great joy. May you be blessed by this week's message and may you meditate on the questions listed below. For those who continue to pursue Christ asking these questions regularly will expediate your spiritual growth. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed what happens when life gets stressed and the ways we can respond. We can either act God's way or we can respond the way of the world, our flesh and Satan would dictate. As many of the early professing Jews were facing persecution and martyrdom, they were encouraged to stay the course. Furthermore, they were encouraged to respond in a way that would give the greatest glory to Christ. When we go through difficult times sometimes it can become difficult to prioritize Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Here in Hebrews 13 the author gives us five ways that we can respond to stress and challenge in a way that not only benefits us but also all of those where we have influence. May this week's message provide some practical application for continuing in our journey for Jesus Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

A Prayer for Prodigals Father, I need your help in praying for my prodigal son/daughter. My heart is broken for them and the choices they have made to walk away from you. God, my heart has become a battlefield for the enemy and I struggle with fear, doubts, guilt, feelings of failure, disappointments and even anger towards them. I feel at times like giving up on praying because I am weary. But now, I am bringing them and this situation UNDER YOUR LORDSHIP! Lord, where my son/daughter has opened the door to darkness because of sin please convict them of their need to confess, repent and turn to you. Invade their hearts and minds with your love that casts out all fear. Guard their hearts and minds from a spirit of condemnaLon and flood them with the truth of the Gospel. Remind them that Jesus paid the price for their sin and if they confess their sins to you that you will freely forgive them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. Lord Jesus show that your freedom, your beauty, your life-giving spirit. In your powerful name I pray, AMEN Prayer Renouncing a Spiritual Stronghold Dear Heavenly Father. I praise you that I am united with the Lord Jesus Christ in all of his life and work. I affirm that I belong fully to Jesus Christ and I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, far above all principaliLes and supernatural powers of darkness. I now ask you, Holy Spirit, to search through all my conscious, unconscious and subconscious thoughts for any control of wicked spirits and lies. Evict them now to where the Lord Jesus Christ is commanding them to go. Sweep my thinking totally clean from evil powers, demons, lies and manipulaLon. Break all of their power and oppression of my thought process. By my authority in Jesus Christ, I take back all territory I have handed over to the lies of Satan I bring myself under you're the LORDSHIP of JESUS and I present all of myself as a living sacrifice to Christ alone. In his powerful name, I pray, Amen. Download these prayers as a PDF Speaker: Jon Gaus

Speaker: Cal Rychener

This week we discussed the godly choices we can make to ensure that we will endure to the finish line. Pursuing peace with others and growing in holiness work together to strengthen us. First, we demonstrate the love of Christ for others as we continue to grow in our holiness as we continue to become imitators of Christ. Once we have a love for others there comes a desire to see others fully receive the grace of God. Understanding the difference of repentance vs. regret becomes an imperative. Next, we must embrace the New Covenant and hold fast to the Word of God. Finally, our reverence and awe of God result in thankfulness. These choices will help keep us in line and motivate us to grow in the grace of God. May you make choices to honor God and stay the course all the way to the finish until you hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

So often when we hear the word discipline we immediately think of punishment instead of understanding all the nuances of the word. When we talk about the discipline of God we are talking about His comprehensive standards that He works tirelessly for us to accomplish. He teaches, coaches, trains, admonishes, encourages, and scourges those who are his children. While God accepts us just as we are, His purpose in discipline is a blessing so that we don't remain there. God's desire for us involves growing in righteousness and reflecting the holiness of God. This section of Scriptures causes us to consider the purpose of God's discipline so that we will be thankful for His hand in our lives. May this message encourage you about the grace of discipline. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we addressed the need to be faithful finishers for the Lord Jesus Christ. Right after the author spends an entire chapter discussing those who died in faith he tells us the reason he was addressing them. The reason is so that we know we have a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and if they can finish faithfully, then so can we. In the church today we need more men and women who live lives of faith that are examples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ desires to live his life through each and every one of us and this passage teaches us how to persevere in faith all the way until we meet Jesus. May this message and these questions help you understand how you can be strong to the finish. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed the need to celebrate God when we recognize faithfulness in His servants. Often, when people are faithful, we celebrate them rather than the God who is working through them to make them faithful. At the end of chapter 11 in the book of Hebrews the author discusses some of God's faithful acts through His servants. Not only do we see that God is worthy of being celebrated but we also learn that each of His chosen servants is sinful and broken. The great encouragement for us is simply that if God was able to use sinful and broken people in the past then He is able to work through us today as well. As you listen to this week's message may you glorify God and celebrate His great work through people throughout history. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we focused our attention on the life of Moses and four immediate steps of faith that believers can choose to take so that they can live the life of faith that God requires. Pastor Jeff has often said that the most difficult step you will ever take is the next one. But how can we know the next step? This week we discussed that regardless of circumstances, age, geographic location or what decision needs to be made that God has shown us four choices we can make that will propel us forward. If your life with Christ is in a rut or you are at a standstill, then taking these steps provide ways for you to continue on a path with Jesus. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub