BRAVE Church

Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub's sermon "House Rules" in the "Built to Last" series focuses on God's guidelines for His house, emphasizing the need to follow these rules to experience lasting favor and legacy. The sermon starts with a prayer for guidance in living according to God's word and stresses the importance of separating from ungodly influences and surrounding oneself with believers. Specific rules for God's house are discussed, including being distinct, serving generously, honoring God's law, and prioritizing marriage and family. The key message is to obey God's house rules diligently to receive His blessing, leave a lasting legacy, and live in alignment with His truth. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub's sermon "Necessary Pauses" emphasizes the importance of taking breaks to refocus on God's work, using examples from Nehemiah's dedication of Jerusalem's wall and Jesus' prioritization of relationship with God. Key points include confession and repentance, joyful celebration and generosity, and consecration to live differently for God. The sermon urges the congregation to pause amidst busyness, seek purity before God, give generously, and separate from worldly influences, drawing from biblical passages and stories to highlight these themes. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Dr. Jeff delivered a sermon titled "Difference Makers" in the series "Built to Last," emphasizing the importance of impacting future generations and being a light for God. He encouraged believers to use their gifts to build up the body of Christ and serve willingly and joyfully. The sermon highlighted biblical examples of difference makers and the value of those who serve behind the scenes. Dr. Jeff concluded by honoring the faithfulness of previous generations and calling the congregation to reflect on their spiritual foundation. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jon Gaus delivers a sermon titled "Make it Personal," focusing on discovering Jesus in the Old Testament and applying biblical truths to daily life. By comparing the complexity of the Old Testament to "Where's Waldo?", he explains how knowing what Jesus looks like helps us find Him throughout Scripture. Examples like Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22 and Nehemiah's role as a precursor to the Messiah highlight Jesus' presence in the Old Testament. The sermon concludes by urging believers to daily walk in the Spirit, avoid comparisons, and commit to God's way of escape to fully embrace their new identity in Christ. Speaker: Jon Gaus

The sermon began with reading scripture from the book of Genesis, specifically focusing on God's creation of Adam and Eve. The preacher delved into the profound meaning of being created in the image of God, emphasizing that mankind was uniquely designed to reflect God's character. He emphasized that all humans have intrinsic worth, dignity, and the capacity for good because they bear God's image.The preacher then spoke about how sin distorts God's image in us. He walked us through the implications of the Fall, the event where Adam and Eve succumbed to the temptation in the Garden of Eden. He reminded us that this initial sin tarnished the image of God in us, leading to an inclination towards resentment, jealousy, anger, and lies. However, he ended on a note of hope, saying that through acknowledgement of sins, genuine repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ, we could once again mirror the image of God and restore our original design. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub's sermon "Built to Last" underscores the significance of faithful proclamation in creating a biblical community. He explores the impact of Nehemiah 8:1-18, where unity arises from hearing and obeying God's word. Schwarzentraub stresses the role of consistent study and practice of the Scriptures, supporting male leadership in teaching, and the necessity of a worshipful response to God's message. Ultimately, he urges the congregation to find true joy, strength, and obedience in faithfully proclaiming God's word. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub's sermon "Continued Building" emphasizes perseverance in faith, using Nehemiah's story to highlight the importance of following God's vision despite opposition. The sermon underscores the necessity of godly leadership, faithfulness to God's plan, and recognizing the significance of each individual's contribution to God's work. Ultimately, the sermon urges the congregation to glorify God, await heavenly unity, and continue building their faith in accordance with God's vision. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

The sermon "Choosing Hope" focuses on maintaining hope by staying faithful to God's mission, identity, word, and integrity despite challenges. Using the story of Nehemiah as an example, the sermon emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith and commitment to God's calling. It encourages believers to trust in God's ability to bring hope and victory even in the face of opposition and discouragement. Ultimately, the sermon reminds listeners that with God's help, they can overcome obstacles and fulfill God's purpose in their lives. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

The sermon highlighted Jesus as the ultimate example of living out God's truth, love, and service to others. It emphasized the importance of reflecting on Jesus' teachings to resolve conflicts within ourselves. Believers were encouraged to be champions of God's word, contagious in their witness, and conscientious in their work. The sermon guided listeners to seek reconciliation through the sacrificial love of Jesus and to actively involve God in resolving conflicts in their lives. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Cal Rychener

This weeks sermon emphasizes preparing Godly families for opposition, rejecting fear by trusting God's power, adapting tactics to reach people in the current culture, and encouraging unity and wholehearted participation in missions. Pastor Jeff uses Nehemiah's story to illustrate the importance of commitment, sacrifice, and unity in serving God. Believers are challenged to live fully for Jesus and be actively engaged in fulfilling the mission of making disciples. The sermon underlines the Church's central role in reaching nations and calls for believers to be spiritually strong, trusting, adaptable, united, and wholehearted in their dedication to Jesus' mission. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

On Easter Sunday, Pastor Jeff unpacks 1 Peter 3:18, highlighting Christ's death forgiving sins and bringing us to God. He stresses that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, not by good works. The purpose of Christ's death is to bring believers into fellowship with God, not just perform good deeds. Belief in Christ's resurrection allows for transformation and hope for eternal life. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

The sermon by Pastor Jeff emphasizes forgiveness as central to the Christian faith, using Easter events and biblical stories. Forgiveness is depicted as limitless, costly, transferable, undeniable, and foundational to faith. The importance of extending forgiveness to others as we have received from God is highlighted for spiritual growth and to experience God's grace fully. The sermon concludes with an invitation for prayer and guidance on forgiveness, stressing its significance in fostering a deeper relationship with God. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed how forgiveness is central to the Christian faith. Forgiveness is depicted as limitless, costly, transferable, undeniable, and foundational to faith. The importance of extending forgiveness to others as we have received from God is highlighted for spiritual growth and to experience God's grace fully. May this week's sermon be an encouragement for you to foster a deeper relationship with God through the practice of forgiveness. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week's sermon focuses on how Christians face more challenges as they grow in faith. When opposition escalates as we following God, it should encourage our reliance on prayer and wisdom and emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith despite challenges. Believers are urged to trust in God's strength and remain steadfast in their allegiance, even when faced with discouragement. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week's sermon stresses serving God wholeheartedly and working together as a church. Pastor Jeff emphasizes worship, commitment, and humility using Nehemiah's rebuilding of the wall as an example. Believers are urged to serve without delay or seeking recognition, prioritizing God's work over personal desires. The overarching message is that everyone has a role in God's kingdom, and progress is achieved through devoted service. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Jesus confronted the brokenness of the world by healing the sick and marginalized, showing them the way to hope and restoration. He called people to repentance and transformation, offering forgiveness and salvation through a relationship with God. Followers of Christ are challenged to do the same by confronting brokenness, pointing others to Jesus for healing, and being agents of reconciliation empowered by the Holy Spirit. By stepping out in faith and love, we can make a lasting impact in the world and bring the light of Christ into the darkness. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Dr. Jeff Schwarzentraub discusses the significance of receiving a clear vision from God, emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ for guidance. Using Nehemiah's story, he illustrates how a God-given vision leads to purposeful living. He outlines five truths about such visions, including the importance of sharing burdens, seeking help, being prepared for obstacles, and trusting in God's provisions and protection. Dr. Schwarzentraub urges the congregation to embrace their burdens, trust in God's faithfulness, and step out in faith towards fulfilling their visions. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This sermon discusses how believers are created for greatness through aligning their lives with God's purposes. He emphasizes the importance of surrendering to Christ, confessing sins, and trusting in God's promises to cultivate greatness. By living a life of excellence and focusing on serving God, believers can fulfill their potential for greatness. Dr. Schwarzentraub encourages believers to align their desires with God's and trust in His power and guidance for a life of significance. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Justin Hart

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasizes the transformative power of prayer, highlighting that powerful prayer arises in times of overwhelming opposition and requires habitual responses of prayer and fasting. He asserts that honoring the Lord in His house and depending on Him for specific needs is essential for experiencing divine intervention. Pastor uses the example of King Jehoshaphat, who sought God's guidance during a national crisis, to illustrate the importance of worship and obedience to God's directives as catalysts for His blessings. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to trust in God's power and remain engaged in worship and prayer, creating a church environment that continually seeks His presence and guidance. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasized the importance of prayer, humility, and gratitude for the gospel in seeking revival within the church and the community. He outlined four generational secrets: recognizing the power of prayer, being strengthened by Christ's indwelling, understanding the vastness of God's love, and expecting God's greatness through His church. Pastor Jeff encouraged the congregation to allow Christ full access to their lives and to be continuously overwhelmed by the love and grace of God, which empowers transformation. He called for a collective commitment to prayer and action, believing that God can work through ordinary people to bring about extraordinary change and revival in the present generation. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life of a believer, drawing from the example of Jesus both at the beginning and end of his ministry when he sought to purify the temple to be a house of prayer. He encourages the congregation to prioritize prayer, as it stirs passion for God, cultivates His presence, and unleashes His power in our lives and community. The sermon highlights that prayer should be the first response to our needs rather than a last resort, and it exposes our spiritual poverty when we neglect it. Ultimately, the pastor invites everyone to approach prayer with a heart willing to seek God and depend on Him for every aspect of life. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor emphasizes the importance of prayer and fasting in deepening our relationship with God, highlighting that genuine prayer is key to understanding our purpose as Christians. He shares that fasting is not merely abstaining from food, but instead a focus on seeking God and growing closer to Him, urging congregants to approach it with a repentant heart and a willingness to obey His word. The sermon warns against superficial religious practices and encourages an authentic relationship with God, calling for Christians to confront their sins and live out their faith. Ultimately, Pastor inspires the church to recognize their role in bringing about spiritual revival, reminding them that through true repentance, obedience, and devotion to God's holiness, they can navigate life's challenges and make a positive impact on the world. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In this sermon, Pastor emphasizes the importance of finishing strong in our spiritual journey, likening it to athletics where the final outcome matters more than the starting point. He urges believers to engage God first through prayer and praise, highlighting the power of communal prayer and the role of spiritual elders in supporting those who are struggling. Pastor also discusses the necessity of confessing sins and the effectiveness of righteous prayer, encouraging listeners to pray biblically, specifically, and energetically as exemplified by Elijah. Ultimately, the message conveys a call to action for believers to support one another and to seek God's strength and guidance to finish their race with faithfulness. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In the sermon, Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of patiently enduring difficulties, strengthening ourselves in the Lord, and refraining from complaining as we await Christ's second coming. He illustrates these points by drawing on biblical examples, particularly the perseverance of the prophets and Job's steadfast faith amid suffering. Pastor Jeff urges the congregation to speak true and sincere words, allowing their commitments to reflect their faith in God. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to live in a way that is visible and faithful, embodying the teachings of Christ until His return. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In this sermon, Pastor Jeff emphasizes the transformative power of coming to Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit, which moves believers from darkness to light. He highlights the ongoing process of discipleship, underscoring the challenges of self-centeredness that can manifest in criticism of others and the tendency to control one's own future rather than trusting God. Pastor Jeff discusses the significance of selflessness and authentic obedience, warning against complacency in our walk with Christ. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to fully commit to God, trusting in His plans and experiencing the profound fulfillment that comes from a life devoted to serving others and following Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasizes the need for spiritual course correction, likening it to real-life situations where we rely on GPS for guidance. He explains that our internal struggles, driven by pleasure and pride, lead to conflict both within ourselves and with others, and reminds us that we need to submit to God and resist worldly temptations. By drawing near to God and sincerely repenting, we open ourselves to His grace, which allows for true transformation and fulfillment in our lives. Ultimately, true greatness in the eyes of God comes from humility, service, and seeking His honor rather than our own. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasized that even as Christians, individuals are often still searching for answers in life. He pointed out that Jesus embodies wisdom and emphasizes the importance of seeking His guidance for all aspects of life, rather than relying on worldly solutions or 'gurus.' The message from James chapter three highlighted that true wisdom is demonstrated through our behaviors and attitudes and that it comes from focusing on God's word rather than worldly practices. Ultimately, living in alignment with God's wisdom leads to peace, righteousness, and a fulfilling life that honors Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In this sermon, Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of the tongue and how our words can significantly impact our spiritual walk as Christians. Drawing from James chapter three, he discusses the responsibility associated with speech and explains that taming the tongue is crucial for growth in one's faith. Pastor Jeff highlights that our words can lead to blessings or curses, and we must be mindful of their consequences. He encourages congregants to speak with responsibility, intentionality, humility, and dependency on God, as only through Christ can we truly transform our speech and align our actions with our words.This sermon provides practical handles for effectively "talking our walk," stressing that our language should reflect our commitments to God and to others. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff discusses the concept of spiritual vitality using the analogy of vital signs assessed by a doctor, emphasizing the importance of evaluating one's faith through evidence of good works. He highlights key biblical passages, particularly from James, to argue that faith without works is dead, stressing that genuine saving faith is always accompanied by a transformative work in a person's life. Citing examples from the lives of Abraham and Rahab, Pastor Jeff illustrates how both faith and actions are integral to true belief. He urges listeners to examine their spiritual vitality, cautioning against empty professions of faith, careless compassion, and the necessity of a heartfelt relationship with Christ to ensure eternal salvation. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasized the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ, highlighting that true believers experience radical life changes, including the shedding of prejudices and biases. He challenged the congregation to recognize that personal favoritism is a sin that disrupts the unity God desires among His people, urging them to treat everyone equally as creations made in God's image. Through the teachings in the Book of James, Pastor affirmed that love—modeled by Jesus—is essential in overcoming prejudice and demonstrating genuine faith. The call to action is to show mercy and love to all, reflecting Christ's compassion, while also remaining steadfast in truth and convictions. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of spiritual checkups, comparing them to inspections in construction and routine medical checkups, to ensure we are on the right path of faith. He outlines three key markers of God-honoring faith: taming the tongue, helping the helpless, and withdrawing from worldliness. Pastor Jeff encourages self-examination, highlighting that true faith is evidenced by increased control over our speech, compassion towards those in need, and a shift away from worldly influences. The message underscores the significance of being conscious of our spiritual state, as we prepare for our ultimate accountability before God. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we continued our series in the book of James and learned about four distinct requirements in order to be growing in the Word. God wants you to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ and to respond in the proper way. The trials and temptations we go through in life are opportunities for us to be conformed to the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we ask what God desires us to do and how to respond through those trials and temptation, the answer is that He desires for you to grow in Christ by growing in His word. May this week's message be an encouragement to you to build your spiritual muscles and grow in the midst of trials and temptations. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we continued our series in the book of James and learned How to Defeat Temptation. While God is the One who authors and allows trials in our life for spiritual maturity, the enemy attempts to get us to veer off course by using temptation. This temptation is nothing more than trying to get us to fulfill a good desire in an ungodly way. Temptation is always a short cut that may seem okay at the time but leads to sin and ultimately death. When we give into temptation, we can never be living the fullness of what God requires of us and desires for us. The reality is that God is good, abundant, and lavish and will not withhold His best from us. The enemy, on the other hand, lies to us about God's character and attempts to have people believe that lie. When we ruminate on the lie then we get discouraged and frustrated, which often leads to taking the bait of temptation. Since temptation is pervasive, we must be aware of where it originates, its deadly effects, and how we can live victoriously. May this week's message be an encouragement to you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we began a new series in the book of James entitled, Walk Your Talk. The emphasis of the series is how a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can live the life that God requires of His servants. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wastes no time as He makes the point that trials are good. No matter where a believer lives or what a believer does, they can be certain that trials will be a part of their life. However, when trials arrive the believer is to respond with gratitude because of all the great benefits and blessings that will occur if the trial is handled properly. These short twelve verses have great impact for every Christian in every generation. Our prayer is that this week's message will be helpful to believers in their continued pursuit of the Lord. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jon Gaus

Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of passing the spiritual baton to the next generation to ensure the future of the church and the kingdom of God. He draws parallels to Olympic relay races, highlighting that even the most talented teams can fail if they don't successfully pass the baton, symbolizing the necessity of intentional mentorship. Using biblical references, Pastor Jeff underscores that it is everyone's responsibility to invest in younger generations, teaching them about faith and service while setting clear expectations for what it means to follow Christ. Ultimately, he calls on the congregation to take proactive steps towards mentoring and leading young people, ensuring they are equipped to continue the work of the church. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we continued our series entitled Waging War Against Our Enemy by addressing how to Fight for the Kingdom. Understanding how to live as a visible demonstration of God's comprehensive rule of every area of life makes a difference in our witness as we advance Christ's kingdom. We learned that there is a clash of the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of darkness, and winning that battle is imperative to Christ's desires for this world that He created. This week we highlighted five areas that matter and clarified how we are going to experience God's greatest blessing on this side of heaven by following these directives. Understanding how to fight for the kingdom will drive back the darkness and allow the light of Christ to shine brightly. May this week's message help us with our marching orders for making disciples in a world that is hostile to Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of fighting for the church, calling it the primary battle for believers. He explains that the church displays Christ's creation and passion and serves as a vital space for worship, ministry, and community. Through scripture, Pastor Jeff illustrates that Jesus established the church to be a transformative force against worldly influences. He urges congregants to recognize their role in the church, emphasizing that it is the vehicle through which Christ's authority and mission are executed, ultimately encouraging a unified and active engagement in their faith. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor emphasizes the essential role of prayer in the life of a believer and the church, asserting that without it, we are powerless. He encourages the congregation to deepen their prayer life, reminding them that prayer is crucial for spiritual warfare and alignment with God's will. Using examples from Scripture and personal stories, Pastor highlights how prayer was integral to Jesus' ministry, the apostles' work, and the early church's growth. As they embark on 21 days of prayer, Pastor urges everyone to pray comprehensively, specifically for the mission, and personally for their responsibilities, affirming that prayer is vital for experiencing God's power and presence. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of being spiritually dressed with the armor of God as outlined in Ephesians 6, which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. He addresses different groups within the congregation: those who do not know Christ, those who are stagnant in their faith, and those who are strong in their faith, encouraging each to take action according to their needs. He highlights that Christ not only saves but also empowers believers to live out their faith actively and share the gospel. This concludes with an invitation for personal commitment and growth, urging everyone to put on Christ's attire for their spiritual journey. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Pastor Jeff emphasizes the importance of recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of evangelism in the fight against sin and darkness. He highlights that the gospel is not neutral, and every individual is either moving towards salvation or destruction, making it crucial for Christians to actively oppose sin. Throughout the sermon, he urges believers to embrace their new identity in Christ, to stand firm against spiritual opposition, and to target the true enemy that seeks to divide and distract. Ultimately, Pastor Jeff calls each person to live boldly for Christ, encouraging them not to back down and to pursue a mission of sharing the gospel with the world. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we began a new series called Waging War Against Our Enemy. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he placed all of his present and future disciples on mission so that we would be actively advancing Christ's kingdom until he returns. That means that we are not called to be spectators and consumers but courageous warriors who actively engaged in the battle of sharing and living the Gospel in a hostile world. Many are not engaged in the fight because they know that criticism will come if they engage. This week we learned how to stay engaged in the battle without remaining passive. Knowing how to fight is very important so that we can experience the power of God. Our prayer is that this week's message lays the foundation for how to engage in the battle of Christian warfare. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub