BRAVE Church

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

This week we highlighted Hebrews 11:7-22 and discussed the challenges to faith. Many times, when we are encouraged to grow in our faith our motivation wanes due to challenges that appear. Because the Christian life is not automatic it is imperative to be aware of the challenges that will occur once we begin to take steps of faith. Knowing the challenges on our path help us to navigate properly with the Lord, which also keep us from being surprised. The enemy of your soul hates faithfulness and so he uses these challenges to keep us from experiencing God's best. May this teaching open your eyes to the some of the challenges that you will face so that you can be an overcomer. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Hebrews 11 helps us to comprehend the significance of faith in the life of a believer. Understanding and applying faith in our life pleases God and unleashes His favor upon us. The challenge with faith is the ability to believe it before we see it. In our world of uncertainty, we are often taught to see things before we believe them. God wants us to trust Him FIRST and then we will see the result of our faith. This takes spiritual discernment and practice so that we can grow in this discipline. Faith is not only an essential ingredient in the life of a believer but is the key to growth. Studying this passage will unlock opportunities for you to grow as a believer. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed the fourth warning passage in the book of Hebrews. The author is telling us to beware of certain things that will impact our spiritual growth. God places warning passages in the Scriptures for our own good. For the believer it reminds us to stay the course and for the unbeliever it is an exhortation to trust Christ. Furthermore, for the one who is ready to turn their back on Jesus Christ it is a warning to avoid a decision that has negative eternal consequences. God is so good and loving that He goes to great lengths to ensure that we will continue to pursue Him in all that we do. May this passage of Scripture encourage you to trust Christ more deeply than you ever have before. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This message challenges believers to believe their blessings. In the church, we often encourage people to count their blessings, perhaps even enjoy their blessings, but it's rare when Christians truly believe their blessings and live differently as a result. Through Christ's death, burial and resurrection we have been offered a new life. While it's imperative to talk about the necessity of the cross it's just as imperative to talk about our new life in Christ. We have the hope of Christ in us and with that hope, we have so many blessings that God wants us to have and enjoy. A thorough understanding of Hebrews 10:1-25 will instill confidence, freedom, joy and hope in the life of a believer. Take the time to ponder these truths from God's Word and live the Christ-centered life God intended for you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Today, many people in the church want to talk about all the benefits of Christ but refuse to talk about the necessity of His shed blood. Throughout Hebrews 9, we hear about need and blessings that result from Jesus Christ shedding His blood on Calvary. If Jesus Christ had not shed His blood on the cross, we would not be able to have our sins cleansed, would not have access to God, and would not have a secure inheritance. However, Jesus Christ did indeed die for our sins and rose from the dead so that through repentance and faith, we can have life in His name and look forward to being in His presence for all eternity. Throughout this message, we discussed four truths about the blood of Christ that help us grow in our intimacy with God. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This message examines Hebrews chapter 8 and the superior ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest. Our society balks at the fact that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and even young, immature Christians can often doubt the validity of Christ's exclusivity. However, Hebrews chapter 8 highlights the superior ministry of the priesthood of Jesus Christ and demonstrates why He and He alone provides for everything we need. When Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant, everything changed. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law and therefore the types and shadows of the Old Testament are no longer necessary for relating to God. Because in our sinful hearts we often prefer religion to reality, God makes it clear that Jesus Christ is everything we need. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This message examines not only how Christ's priesthood was superior but how it has prevailed. Because Jesus Christ is from the order of Melchizadek, he is the only One who qualifies as the eternal high priest. God in His Word promised that Jesus Christ would be the great prevailing High Priest and that He would be preferable. As we study the work of Christ's priesthood we learn about His better covenant, His permeance and the fact that he prays for us. His perfect nature with His personal attention makes Christ the Greatest High Priest of all time. Knowing that God hears us and intercedes for us gives us a great confidence and hope in Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This message discusses Christ's superior priesthood. Converted Jews in the first century had become concerned because they no longer had a priest. Since becoming Christians, they were no longer welcomed back into their Jewish faith and therefore didn't know where to get the spiritual help they needed. The author of Hebrews answers this question using the Hebrew Scriptures to demonstrate that there has always been a priesthood of a higher order that provides everything they would ever need. By studying the order of priesthood of Melchizedek we learned about Christ and His superior priesthood, and how he is the only priest they will ever need moving forward. Understanding the Lord Jesus Christ as your Great High Priest will provide great comfort for every believer. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Often times we get so caught up in moving forward and getting to the next thing, that we don't stop to thank God for all the ways He blesses us. As we celebrate the first Sunday in our Englewood North building, we take time to pause and praise Him for His mighty work and provision in this season and over the life of BRAVE Church. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. This Easter, we look at the two sons in the story of the Prodigal Son and how the heart of the father is of love no matter what - just like the heart of our Heavenly Father. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

After warning about the dangers of those who refused to make Jesus Christ their personal Lord and Savior, the author of Hebrews transitions to encouraging the saved. He calls many of His listeners Beloved and tells them they possess many things that accompany salvation. This text in Hebrews encourages the believer by showing them not only what accompanies salvation, but also how to strengthen their hope in their own personal salvation. Here we learn from God not only what accompanies salvation, but also where to place our focus so that our hope in Christ will grow. May this message provide hope for each and every believer that listens. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This message discusses another warning passage that demonstrates some who have experienced Jesus Christ have never made Him the Lord of their lives. It is a warning to anyone who falsely thinks that by simply having a positive encounter or experience that they are truly saved. Salvation is a gift from God that is appropriated through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. This sobering text warns the false professor that to get that close to the faith and then commit apostasy makes it impossible to ever return to Christ. When properly understood this text encourages the believer and invites the false professor to repentance. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

God uses unlikely fighters to face unbeatable giants so he can accomplish an unimaginable victory! Speaker: Greg Stier

The author of Hebrews continues to demonstrate that Jesus Christ is the greatest. In this message, we learn that Jesus Christ is the greatest high priest, which begs three questions for us to ask and examine. First, what is a high priest? Next, why is Jesus Christ the great high priest? Finally, what is the benefit of Jesus Christ being our great high priest? Asking and answering these questions will help us understand how fortunate we are to have Jesus Christ mediate on our behalf. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Millennials sometimes use the word FOMO to describe the Fear of Missing Out. This message discusses the healthy fear of missing out on the truth of the Gospel. One of the greatest questions we can ask and answer is, "Am I really saved?" This is a question that even churchgoers must ask. You see, we only have the time while we are still alive to make a decision for Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives. The author of Hebrews goes to great lengths to help his readers and listeners understand the importance of settling the issue of salvation. This resolve can bring rest now and rest in the future with Christ. The challenge is that many people today either falsely believe they are Christians or simply do not see the gravity of not believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. In this chapter of Hebrews, we see the imperative to turn from sin and turn to Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In this message, we see that the single greatest way to grow in your relationship with Christ is to Obey Today. To experience God's favor and blessing requires that you listen to His voice and honor him through taking the next step of faith He requires. Sometimes we get into a rut in our faith because we are hearing the Word of God without putting it into practice. The greatest way to grow in wisdom, knowledge and stature is to hear His voice and obey what He says. When we hear the word "obedience" we can often think about someone being domineering over us that doesn't care for us. But God designed us and through obedience, we experience the greatest joy and God receives the greatest glory. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In this message, we discuss the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the humility He endured on our behalf. Jesus Christ, as the second person of the Trinity, has always existed and yet just over 2000 years ago He put on flesh and became a man. In humility, Jesus Christ came to earth, fulfilled the law, died on the cross and rose from the dead so that we who have sinned and are deserving death may be completely forgiven and may experience the Life of Christ. While many Christians understand the concept of the incarnation many have not spent the time growing in an understanding of the humility of what Christ endured for us. The author of Hebrews wants us to understand that Jesus Christ was willing to be humiliated so that we could be in a right relationship with God. As you listen to this message and engage with the questions below may God give you a greater awareness of all of His work to demonstrate His love for you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

"May I have your attention, please?" This question may perk our interest but often times we are simply reminded of a truth we already understand. Therefore, at times when we are warned we simply do not pay attention to the warning. This can be very true for us in our relationship with God. Sometimes when we read or hear warning passages read, we think this is a passage for someone else because "I know that I am already saved." However, the purpose of warning passages instructs the believer and admonishes the unbeliever to be sincere about their relationship with Jesus Christ. At times, warning passages can be challenging but they are essential for us to continue in a right relationship with God. As you listen to the message this week, open your heart and allow God to do some "spiritual surgery" on you so that you can experience a greater measure of His grace. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Angels are spiritual beings created by God for the purpose of serving and worshipping Him. They were used of God to bring the law to the Jews and are seen throughout Scripture as powerful messengers and worshippers of God. The author of Hebrews through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit wants us to know that Jesus Christ is greater than the angels because of what He possesses. Throughout this message we discussed the superiority of Jesus Christ and why this is important for the believer. As you listen to the message and answer the following questions may your heart be stirred to the importance of understand that Jesus Christ is superior to angels. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In the first three verses of Hebrews seven attributes of our Lord and Savior are listed. Each of these attributes are extremely powerful and exclusive. Just a casual reading of the book of Hebrews causes the reader to pause and understand that Jesus Christ is the premier prophet, priest and king. When understood properly the book continues to ask the reader, "How are you going to respond to the greatness of Jesus Christ?" Throughout our study we are going to see the greatness of Jesus Christ on display and will then be forced to respond to His greatness. This sermon series is going to be a great journey and if you seek the Lord and open your heart you will be in a deeper and more mature place with the Lord when this study is complete. So, let's get started and begin to understand the greatness of our God. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we discussed the three critical confessions that God desires every person to make. Understanding and living these confessions changes a believer by faith. You see, a confession is made by faith through agreement with the Word of God. When your lips confess what the inerrant Word of God reveals your life begins to change by faith. These three clear confessions will help the believer towards wholeness and help them grow in their intimacy with Christ. In addition to the teaching this week Pastor Jeff shared the vision of where BRAVE Church is heading and some of the marvelous ways God is at work among us. May we continue to thank God for His goodness and kindness towards all of us. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

The primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to magnify the resurrected Christ. When Jesus Christ was on the earth the Holy Spirit descending upon Him at His baptism and remained upon Him for ministry. After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven the Holy Spirit was dispensed upon His disciples so that their personal ministry would glorify the resurrected Christ. What the Spirit accomplished through Jesus Christ He still desires to accomplish through His church today. Using selected Scriptures God showed us much about the ministry of the Holy Spirit and His desire to work in and through our lives. May you hunger and desire more of the Spirit's work. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

While it is clear from the Scriptures that we are given the person of the Holy Spirit to indwell us when we believe, the Scriptures also make clear the need for us to continue to be filled with Him. This means that we received ALL of the Holy Spirit when we believed, but the Holy Spirit may not still have all of us. Today we were asked to pray daily for the filling of the Holy Spirit so that we can be more effective in our mission. Considering the purpose of Spirit's is essential to help you experience the fullness of Jesus Christ. May your pursuit of the Lord allow the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh this week. Speaker: Cal Rychener

God's design for every believer is to be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ. Using 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 as a foundation we discussed four truths for experiencing total transformation. Allowing God's Word to shape you will help you grow into all that God has designed for you. God's love for you is so great that He will accept you right where you are, but not allow you stay there. Understanding God's love for you and His purpose for you is paramount to experiencing God transforming power. Understanding the truth of God's Word will help you in your growth with Christ and help you become a better ambassador for Him. May His grace about to you as you reflect on this week's message. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Once we are saved that we are disciples of Christ who are called to grow into His likeness. The reality is that Jesus wants YOU! God the Father demonstrated His love to the world by sending His only begotten so that whoever believed would not perish but have Eternal Life. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all the sins of humanity on the cross for everyone who believes. This free gift is received by grace through faith. However, once you become a believer, Jesus Christ demands full allegiance to Him and His mission on planet earth. This week we discussed four actions that Jesus wants every one of His followers to take. Although the call can be demanding, it also provides the greatest joy and peace for those who follow Him. May the Holy Spirit guide and convict you so that you may become all that God has purposed for you to become. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Before we are saved we are in a spiritual battle with the devil but have yet to realize that fact. Once we are saved, we learn that the devil, the world and our sinful selves attempt to limit us from God's best. The Scriptures teach that when we are on mission for Him that we are the most satisfied and He is the most glorified. We live in a world that is hostile to Jesus Christ, churches that are complacent and apathetic, and countless souls that need to hear and see a demonstration of the Spirit of God in power. As Paul concludes His letter to Timothy, he provides four commands that are essential to allow the church to bring the greatest glory to the Lord. As you listen to the message and read the study questions, consider what application the Lord wants you to make from His Word today. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Just as there are skill sets to grow in relationships, finances, marriage, and parenting, God has provided a means for us to grow in godliness. A growing devotion and reverence for Christ is not automatic and requires a rejection of certain errors so that we can move forward. While these challenges from God's Word are often difficult to hear, they are necessary for understanding how God works to grow us. However, the key is not simply knowing what to do but being willing to apply God's truth to our lives. Consider what application God wants you to make from this week's message. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

God loves the church and has appointed leadership in His Church so that the kingdom of God can be advanced on the planet. God loves those who lead for Him and He desires His Church to love and honor those leaders as well. As we learn about the different types of leaders in the church, it is also important to understand how to respond to leadership in a way that honors God. Following God's Word on these matters is essential for healthy and strong leadership in the church, and will allow the Holy Spirit to pour out blessing on the church. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

When a person is born again they are placed into the Body of Christ. Since every believer now shares the same Heavenly Father we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. In other words, Christians are now a spiritual family. Therefore, God gives clear instruction for his children to relate to one another in His Church. These instructions not only teach us how to have a great love for one another but also provide a great witness to the world. Knowing how to treat older and younger men as well as older and younger women is paramount to our walk with Jesus Christ. Also taking care of widows, which demonstrates the very heart of God, should also be on the forefront of our minds. After you listen to this week's sermon, engage in the following questions in order to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Learning about a prophet can help one understand if he is called to be a prophet and also help those listening to see if they are truly hearing God. In a world where we have experienced lies, it is imperative to discern if we are indeed listening to the truth. Understanding the five marks of a prophet helps us in our ability to hear, believe, grow, trust and hope in the Gospel. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In this message Pastor Jeff discusses how we as believers in Christ can have consistently good service to our Lord and to other people. Four lessons emerged from the text that are important for every believer to understand for their personal growth. If we will listen to God's Word and apply His truth into our lives we can live as good servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of these lessons are difficult to hear and some are difficult to implement but with the help of the Holy Spirit these truths are foundational for continued maturity in Christ. Once you have listened to this week's message, please consider your own life as a servant of Christ and carefully consider how Jesus is guiding you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

"How can I inherit eternal life?" Human beings were created differently than anything else in God's creation. We were created in His image, which is why asking the question about life after death is essential to what it means to be human. The truth is that God wants you to know how to have a relationship with Him and wants you to be in relationship with Him. My encouragement to you is to listen to the message this week and respond to the good news that Jesus Christ wants a relationship with you. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Character and conduct are the bedrock for solid Christian service. Sometimes, service can be considered to be a work for someone else so that we can receive a benefit from them. At other times we do indeed serve but miss out on the blessings of serving because we are only serving in order to be noticed. Pride can easily creep into our minds if we do not allow the Spirit of God to shape us. The truth, however, is that we have been created by Jesus Christ for service and we are most truly alive when we are serving Him. As you listen to this week's message and engage these questions, consider how the Lord may lead you to be of your greatest service to Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

It is essential to understand that God created both men and women with equal value but has distinct roles for each gender within His kingdom. God has designed the heart of a man to be a protector and a provider and to live with courage and integrity. As the Holy Spirit lays out the requirements for an overseer, it is imperative that every man understand that these are the character qualities He wants all men to have. Even if a man does not serve in the role of an overseer, he certainly will want to hold to these standards in his own life and ministry. May the Holy Spirit of God use His Word to conform the men at BRAVE Church into His image. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Since God has established His church to reflect the values of the kingdom on planet earth it would benefit us to honor His Word in every way. As we study gender we understand that God is creator of human beings and the designer of male and female as the only two genders. Men and women are completely different but of equal value in the sight of the Lord. Understanding and applying God's Word will help us in our cultural sea of uncertainty and provide love and direction for God's people in the coming days. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Praying for the lost to hear and experience a witness of the Gospel is of primary importance in the local church. Sometimes as believers we set up fences between ourselves and believers and instead of praying for them to hear the Gospel we fight them on the ground of principles. Paul instructs Timothy that the primary witness in a church should be that all of God's people are praying for everybody. This means that people in our culture that are far from God, should be regularly lifted up in prayer believing that if God changed their heart, the world would be a different place. May we be encouraged this week to pray for the lost in our sphere of influence. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Although we only looked at three verses they provided insight into how we can continue forward in our relationship with the Lord. As the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy we hear His heart for being bold and resolute in His ministry for Christ even though it will be opposed. God not only saved you to bring you to heaven but so that you could be His enlisted soldier for the Gospel. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

While many people hold onto politics, money, prestige and influence the Word of God instructs us to trust Jesus Christ and His gospel. The gospel is not simply a set of beliefs to get a person into heaven. The gospel is a profound mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory. When a person trusts the good news of the gospel, Jesus Christ completely forgives them and comes to dwell inside of them through the Holy Spirit. While this relationship begins here on the earth, it continues throughout eternity. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In the same way it's important for us to check God's Word so that we understand all that God intends for His church rather than relying simply on our opinions and preferences. A Biblical understanding of the church is foundational for us because Jesus Christ established the church for His disciples to experience the kingdom of God on the earth. As His ambassadors, the gathered church is His Kingdom Embassy on earthly soil for God to accomplish everything He desires in and through His people through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we began this series we talked about three things every believer must have to be a long-term contributor to Christ's church. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

This week we launched our ministry calendar and spent time considering where the Lord is leading BRAVE Church this year. Using Hebrews 11:1&6 as our main text, we discussed ways that we should take the next step of faith as a church and as individuals. Not only did we talk about depending upon the Lord, but also discussed that without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, if we want to please God we must take steps of faith. Four areas of growth were highlighted as well as 7 areas to consider at BRAVE Church this year. Let's continue to trust the Lord for a great year! Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

Speaker: Jon Gaus

Paul's doxologies in Ephesians 3:20-21 teach us about the character of our great God. When we truly understand our God, we learn that He is genuinely awesome! It's imperative for us as believers to truly understand our God in order to hunger in our pursuit of Him. The more that we learn from the revelation of God's Word the more we will grow to love and trust our God. As you hear and study this week's message may your heart hunger and thirst for a deeper relationship with our God! Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

While we were certainly not saved "by" good works we were certainly saved "for" good works. Unfortunately, in our current Christian culture this challenging truth often gets neglected. Far too often fruitless religious activity has replaced being fully engaged in the mission of Jesus Christ. Worse yet, is the other extreme where Christian "couch potatoes" sit around and discuss theology without doing anything at all. The desire of our Lord Jesus Christ is that all people would serve Him and serve Him to the full. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

In one short verse of Galatians 2:20 we learn the secret to Paul living a victorious Christian life. In writing to the Galatians, he shared how the grace of God is what grows us and sanctifies rather than outward behaviors. This means that the Christian life is not about what I begin to do or stop doing that pleases God, rather it involves Christ being able to live His very life in and through me. This amazing truth helps us to root our identity in Jesus Christ and believe that we are truly everything that God says about us because we belong to Him. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

The majority of Christians, despite knowing Jesus miss out on experiencing the fullness of life and joy that He offers us. Jesus leads his disciples through a vineyard to offer them a teaching moment about what a life filled with joy looks like. It is found not through striving or searching in the world but through abiding and resting in the true vine. Speaker: Josh Mackey