BRAVE Church
Pastor Jeff SchwarzentraubDig deep into the Bible. Explore the truths of God's word. Apply those concepts to your life and grow deeper in who God made you. Listen to the podcasts from BRAVE.
Podcasts
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- 409Exodus: Growing Spiritual LeadersThis 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
- 410Exodus: Approaching The HolyThis 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
- 411Exodus: The Ten CommandmentsThis 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
- 412Stand Alone Messages: Staying Strong After Your FastThis week as a church we ended our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. It was such a joy to know that so many different people had participated in a variety of ways. Seeking the Lord is such a blessing, but as we know, for every spiritual high there can be an equal spiritual low. The more you desire to see the face of the Lord the more opposition, resistance and temptation you will experience. For these reasons we studied what Jesus experienced after His forty day fast in the wilderness. Although Jesus Christ is God and it would have been impossible for Him to sin, we can learn much about how He handled temptation. As believers, we now have Christ living in us and therefore can allow Christ to live in and through us when we experience temptation. As you study the strategic work of our enemy, it is important to learn when, where and how you are personally most vulnerable for attack. Also, it will help to know what to do when you experience temptation and opposition. Speaking God's Living and Active Word is a cure for all that comes your way. May this week's message be a strong encouragement to you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 413Exodus: God Values Love and JusticeThis week we covered quite a bit of ground from Exodus 21:1-23:9. We learned and discovered God's love and justice in His Law. These chapters cover Case Law for the nation of Israel. In other words, God demonstrates how to apply His law using different scenarios that may occur within His covenant community. Although Christ is the fulfillment of the law and these laws do not specifically apply to us today, the understanding of God's heart behind His law for Israel is important for us to understand as believers today. Too often people believe that the Laws of God are not binding and therefore we do not need to be acquainted with them. As we understand the law we learn of God's heart for His people (images bearers), property, possessions, principles, and priorities. Although this may be the only message you ever hear on these chapters, it is important to appreciate and honor God's heart in the giving of the Law. May this message be an encouragement to you as you continue to seek the Lord. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 414Exodus: The Calling of A ManThis week we discussed what God calls a man to be and to do. So many men in our culture are confused and have a difficult time understanding what they need to be doing. Regardless of vocation, a man is designed by God to serve God. As we have studied the life of Moses we have seen how he was God's chosen instrument by design and what the Lord was requiring of him. Through a study of his life we learn valuable lessons about calling and how the Lord wants us to respond to Him. This week's message highlighted four activities that men are called to engage if they are going to be the fullness of Jesus Christ. May the teaching of His Word grow and bless you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 415Exodus: The Purpose of the TabernacleThis week we discussed the purpose for the Tabernacle so that we would understand the heart of God for His people. Often when reading the Old Testament some Christians are confused about the application of the text for today. As we studied the Tabernacle, we learned about all that God wanted to do to demonstrate His holiness and His desire to dwell with His people. Having a proper understanding of the Tabernacle helps believers today to better comprehend God's purposes in our world today. The tabernacle also helps us understand the person and work of Jesus Christ in greater measure. The reality is that God loves us and wants to be present and central in our lives today. May this week's message be a strong encouragement in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 416The Kingdom Invasion: Jesus Christ's Unique MinistryThis week we started a new series entitled, The Kingdom Invasion. We began this series by looking at Mark Chapter 1 and seeing ten of the reasons why the ministry of Jesus Christ was very unique. These ten words demonstrate that there is no one like our God. As we prepare for Easter, we will continue to not only see how Jesus did ministry but how he invited us to do ministry in the same way as He modeled for us. Throughout the history of the Church, we have sometimes veered off course at times and missed God's best for us. While we can talk about missions, evangelism, and discipleship we sometimes do a better job of talking about it rather than living the life of a disciple. However, we know that "the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power" (1 Corinthians 4:20). As we continue to journey with Christ may we become more aware of how to minister the way that Jesus Christ is encouraging us to do it. May this week's message open your heart to how Jesus' ministry was accomplished and how we can follow His methodology. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 417The Kingdom Invasion: Christ's Power and AuthorityThis week we continued our series, entitled The Kingdom Invasion, by studying three powerful stories in Mark 5. Throughout the text we learned how Jesus Christ has authority and power over demons, disease and even death. As a believer, knowing about the authority and power of Christ helps us as we share the Gospel and as we grow in sanctification. Instead of looking at our problems or earthly solutions, God calls us to focus completely on Him. As circumstances cause you to feel desperate, act in faith and look to Jesus Christ. May this study on the life of Christ be an encouragement to you as you continue to walk with Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 418The Kingdom Invasion: The Training of the TwelveThis week we studied Matthew 10 and leaned about Jesus Christ's first commissioning of the Twelve and the way in which He taught His apostles. Often, we read the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and falsely think that Jesus is now sending them out on mission for the very first time. However, upon further review we learn that He has been training and sending them all along. This week we studied four ways that He trained His twelve disciples. We learned that He had been asking them to pray to the Lord to send out workers into His field. We saw that He was asking them to pray so that they would be prepared to go. The fields are always ripe unto harvest, but the problem has always been that there are not enough people willing to go. Studying this passage should motivate you to not just learn the Word but to be ready to be sent by the Lord. May this week's message encourage you to stay on mission. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 419The Kingdom Invasion: What Does Jesus Want?This week we continued our series entitled The Kingdom Invasion. First, we studied the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and His ministry here on the earth. Next, we looked at His powerful ministry over demons, disease and even death. We then saw how Jesus Christ did not just do ministry Himself, but delegated ministry to His twelve apostles who He instructed to do exactly what He was doing. Most Christians agree to these truths and even celebrate them. This week, however, we studied how Jesus Christ did not just stop with the 12 but appointed 70 others (perhaps 72 in your translation) and sent them out to do exactly what He had sent the 12 to do. This demonstrates that Jesus was not just using the twelve but was also using normal, anonymous saints. The implications of this truth are important for us to understand because Jesus Christ still wants to use His Church to do the exact same things that He did during His earthly ministry. May the truths of this week's message and the application of God's Word grow your joy in Christ as you live on mission for Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 420The Kingdom Invasion: Roadblocks to MissionSpeaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 421Stand Alone Messages: Good Friday 2023 Christ On The CrossSpeaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 422Stand Alone Messages: Easter 2023 What's In The Gospel?Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 423The Kingdom Invasion: Five Keys for Gospel SuccessThis week we discussed the Good News of the Gospel and how to be successful in sharing the message of Christ. So often as believers, the message of the Gospel is in our hearts but we neglect our duty to serve Christ as His ambassador. However, sometimes the reason we are not involved in Gospel ministry is simply because we either don't know how to share it or falsely believe we are not ready. Often we have seen other people share the Gospel and we think we will not be able to do that or they are not the model for what we want to become. Either way, we neglect our responsibility to share Christ with others. Therefore, it is imperative that we look at God's Word and learn how to be ready to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our own temperament and personality. Throughout this week's message we laid a foundation for the Gospel and 5 keys for how to share it. May the words of this week's message be an encouragement to you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 424The Kingdom Invasion: Meeting for a MissionThis week we discussed the importance to challenge one another for the mission of Jesus Christ. The message was personalized to discuss how CADRES help us at BRAVE to connect with others for the purpose of obedience and mission. Throughout the message the 3 thirds format was clarified for how we will make disciples who are growing in obedience that results in mission. As BRAVE takes its next step of faith To Challenge BRAVE Warriors for Courageous Kingdom Advancement, we invite you to connect with other believers to fulfill Christ's calling in you. When it comes to the mission of Jesus Christ this is what you were created for and what you are being called to do. May the Lord bless you as you continue to take your next steps of faith. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 425Exodus: Ministering PriestsThis week we discussed the role of Priestly Garments and how they were necessary for leading God's people and foreshadowing the coming Messiah. While this section of Scripture may not be the most riveting for the modern-day reader, we see the great deal that God reveals in order that we will understand the importance of the text. God not only wanted his place of worship, the Tabernacle, to be built according to his instructions but also wanted the priests to minister according to His plan as well. Throughout these two chapters in Exodus, we learn how God wanted His priests to dress and to be set apart in order to minister on His behalf. God takes worship and ministry seriously and desires that His instructions be followed. Ultimately, we learn that Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, is the fulfillment of everything that is being foreshadowed in this text. May your understand of God's Word grow this week as you discover his plans for Priestly Garments and the way in which they are called to serve the Lord. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 426Exodus: Authentic WorshipThis week we studied Exodus 30 and 31 as God gave further instructions for how the tabernacle was to be erected. As we continue to learn about God's dealings with Israel, we see just how important it was for His people to understand how to worship Him. In this section of the Scriptures, we learned five ways of being an authentic worshipper. This was not a message about style and structure but rather what was needed in the heart of a worshipper of God. These five truths about authentic worship will be helpful to the new believer as well as to the seasoned veteran in their faith. Until we meet Jesus Christ we can continue to grow in our knowledge and ability to worship the Lord. May this week's message and the following questions encourage and challenge you to grow as a worshipper of the Lord Jesus Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 427Stand Alone Messages: A Woman of ExcellenceThis week on Mother's Day we addressed the significant value of a woman from Proverbs 31. In this text King Lemuel recalls to mind what his mother has taught him about the value of a woman and the kind of wife he was going to need to be successful in his calling. Throughout this great text of Scripture, one learns of God's design, love and purpose for women. In our current culture that denigrates and devalues women, God elevates and encourages women to be the fullness of what God has created them to become. This inspirational and aspirational text not only blesses women but also helps men to understand how valuable women are to them being their best for Christ. God's complementary design for gender is beautiful and our Creator is worthy of praise for His efforts. May this week's message encourage you to trust our God's authority on gender and His design for women. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 428Exodus: The Appetite for IdolatryThis week we discussed the appetite that we have for idolatry. God's greatest desire is to be worshipped because He is the ONLY ONE worthy of our best. This is why the first commandment begins with the law to worship the Lord your God and serve Him only. The second commandment builds off the first that you should have no graven images. This means that God is to be completely worshipped and there should not even be a hint of giving our allegiance to someone or something other than God. Israel had experienced the power, protection, provision, and the presence of God throughout their journey and yet still they fashioned a golden calf to worship in their own way. While we may not worship a cow or something made of jewelry, we do have a proclivity in our sinful nature to find something convenient and self-serving to worship. In Exodus 32 we learn about this appetite for idolatry so that we can avoid it all costs. May this week's message help you grow in your love and adoration of our great God. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 429Exodus: Pleading for God's PresenceThis week we discussed the importance of God's Presence and what is required for us to experience Him. Instead of religious rituals and routines we must experience God's Presence to accomplish God's purpose. So often, we rely on leadership seminars, self-esteem boosts, and self-help guides rather than the very presence of God. The reason people are leaving the church in droves and many people say that Christianity is a myth is because the Presence of God is lacking in our lives and in our ministries. There is a major difference between seeking God's blessings and favor and seeking God Himself. May we be a people who seek the face of God rather than the hand of God. May Jesus Christ be high and lifted up and exalted in our lives! As you listen to this message, ask yourself what changes you may need to make for the Lord's Presence to be manifest in your life. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 430Exodus: The Purpose of God's PresenceSpeaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 431Exodus: Experiencing God's GloryThis week we concluded the book of Exodus as we learned how to experience God's glory. God's purpose in delivering Israel out of the bondage of Egypt was not simply to get them to the promised land. God's purpose was so that He could dwell with them. Early in the book He demonstrates His sovereignty and power as He plans and executes the delivery of the nation. As Israel meets at Mt. Sinai, they learn that God has a way that He desires them to live so that He can dwell with them. God's desire has always been to have a relationship with His people and not just be distant. We see the fullness of God's love for us in sending Jesus Christ to the world so that he could "tabernacle" among us. God still wants to dwell with us and live with us as we journey through life. May the conclusion of this series in Exodus help you walk out your relationship with Jesus Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
- 432Stand Alone Messages: It's Time!In our current "woke" culture, God's design for gender is being neglected to follow satanic ideologies that promote the LGTBQ agenda. At BRAVE we champion the Word of God and desire that both men and women can live out the fullness of their design and calling. On Mother's Day we celebrated women by studying Proverbs 31. This week, on Father's Day, we specifically addressed the men as we studied Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians at the end of his first letter. The need of the hour is for men to be men and stand up and lead so that Christ can be glorified, and our culture will turn their hearts back to God. May this week's message be an encouragement to both our men and women as we seek to honor the Lord. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub
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