BRAVE Church

In our world, at times, we begin to think "if only" we could change our circumstances; our feelings on the inside would change as well. However, the reality is that at any time, we can experience the presence of Christ and be content no matter what situation we face. By being obedient to God's Word, we can grow and remain in a state of contentment. May God continue to grow you in your contentment...

In a world that causes uneasiness, worry, doubt, and fear, and it important that we trust God for His leading in our lives. As believers, we have the ability to be consumed by Christ's peace in any given moment. This is because peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the favor of God through it. We learned that stress, worry, and anxiety are an invitation by God for us to seek His face and pra...

The Apostle Paul writes from a prison cell to let us know that joy is not just an idea but a reality for those who know the person and work of Jesus Christ. In seasons of difficulties and uncertainties, sometimes it becomes difficult to maintain our joy and yet it is completely possible through Jesus Christ. Consider the Word of God this week as you aspire to experience the fullness of the joy fou...

Jesus not only came to bring us eternal life, but he also provides us abundant life here on earth. His first miracle of turning water into wine not only helped authenticate that he was the promised Messiah, but it was also a foreshadowing of how he alone would provide cleansing of sin for whoever would repent and call on his name to be saved. Speaker: Jon Gaus

It doesn't matter how you start, it is how you finish. Clearly, we know that we have reached the finish line when we meet Jesus Christ face to face. The challenge today is that too many believers simply assume that finishing well is a guarantee, but the reality demonstrated that comparatively few believers finish well. In this section of Scripture, the Lord highlights the requirements for finishin...

Our fellowship with Christ is a relationship that must be nurtured and cultivated. Our walk with Jesus Christ is not some mechanical set of principles to ensure that we will arrive in heaven; instead, it is a relationship that continues to grow if we do not get sidetracked by external or internal challenges. In this passage, God warns us that those outside of the faith, as well as internal pride,...

Many believers know that they should experience their deepest significance from Christ but are still trapped by the temptations in our world that encourage us to find our significance elsewhere. The attitude we should have towards significance should reflect our identity in the Lord Jesus Christ. Only with Christ at the center of our lives is it even possible to find significance in Him. Speaker:...

All of us as believers in Jesus Christ desire to grow in Christ and have more of His life living in and through us, but rarely do we understand the metrics on whether or not we are growing. In Philippians 2:12-18, we learn what God sets forth as a standard for us to grow and learn that it is indeed possible to grow in our relationship with Christ if we posture ourselves correctly. Speaker: Jeff Sc...

Jesus Christ modeled humility by leaving the glories of heaven and taking on human flesh for eternity. He became obedient to death on a cross for the sins of the world. The incredible model of humility demonstrated from our Lord Jesus Christ should motivate us to live like Him. In our world, we are normally taught to put ourselves first, whereas Jesus Christ helps others understand that we should...

In our society, being a servant can often become about comparison. In other words, it's easier to judge the service of others rather than allowing God to earnestly show us our own hearts. Becoming a servant for Jesus Christ involves resting in our identity, believing in who God says we are, and acting upon what we believe. May God continue to grow us as servants as we continue to seek Him. Speaker...

We know Paul, as a pastor for the church in Philippi, wanted his people to understand their identity as Kingdom citizens. Being persuaded by the media and current circumstances can deflect what is most important. It can also cloud your relationship to Jesus Christ and what it means to honor Him. As a community, we represent Christ and are His kingdom citizens. With the Gospel as our foundation and...

How can we grow our prophetic voice so that we are actually able to "talk our walk"? In other words, what are the necessary foundations for us to be able to speak up in a situation and have our words matter? The Apostle Paul never had to change his messaging because he was indeed a man whose deeds aligned with his words. Sometimes, as believers, we yearn to be more aligned with what we truly belie...

Answering four questions addresses how we can share the Gospel more effectively. There is more to the Gospel than simply passing out a tract or sending an email. Your very life communicates the very message of the Gospel. Even when the answers to these questions affirm our readiness, we can always grow more in our effectiveness. The Apostle Paul celebrated that his time in prison actually furthere...

Spending time in the presence of God changes us. When we go to God in prayer, we become humble because we realize we are nothing more than willing slaves for His glory. Yet, at the same time, we are saints of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Spending time in God's presence also makes us grateful for the opportunity to participate in Christ's mission of the Gospel. There is no greater jo...

This week we discussed the responses people always have to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Four soils were addressed by Jesus in His parable. Jesus provided three examples of bad soil that produce nothing because the Word is not allowed to take root and be nourished. However, when good soil is available, the Word of God always produces exponential results. Jesus said this story was foundational to all...

This week we discussed some of God's glorious attributes and how we should respond based upon Psalm 139. This wonderful Psalm depicts the fact that God knows all things, is everywhere and is all-powerful. These attributes of God should absolutely blow us away. God is so far beyond anything we are, and yet He is intimately acquainted with all of our ways. As you spend time in your groups this week,...

This week we talked about the importance of endurance as we continue our walk with Jesus Christ. Four ways of continuing to run were addressed in Hebrews 12:1-3 that can help us grow in our faith. At times when we are discouraged and want to quit, God's Word proves helpful to show us that when we finish, it will all be worth it. It also helps to have people around us to encourage us to keep taking...

This week on Resurrection Sunday, we looked in the Gospel of Mark to gain an understanding of how Jesus defined one of His followers. So often, we hear the facts that Jesus rose from the dead, but this week we discovered the results of what responding to the resurrection does in the life of a believer. Four crucial points were highlighted in the text, which all followers of Jesus Christ believe. S...

In the book of Joel, God used His prophet to instruct Israel during a time of agricultural crisis and fear of attack from an enemy. During this time of crisis, God instructed His people that He was in control and wanted them to return to Him in humility and dependence so that He would be glorified as the preeminent One! Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

The onslaught of fear-based messaging by the media has caused many people (even believers) to question why the current situation is happening. Yes, COVID-19 is a very real concern, which can lead to tragic results, but in the midst of this, God wants us to understand that He has always been our source of peace. When distress is prevalent in our culture, God wants to understand "why" so that you ca...

Learn four action steps you can take when life is out of control. When Jesus was with His disciples on a boat in a storm, the disciples falsely believed that Jesus was uncaring, unconcerned, and unable to help them. However, to their surprise when they awoke Him, He changed all their circumstances. God is still ruling and reigning even though you don't see Him. Because of His love for us and His p...

You have been diagnosed with a disease that is worse than COVID-19. The Bible points out that every human being has contracted sin and it kills every single one of its victims. Sin will cause you to die and face eternity apart from Jesus Christ. But the good news is that Jesus Christ provided a cure for sin through His shed blood so that you can repent and trust Jesus Christ alone for the forgiven...

Finishing our SAY WHAT? series by asking the question, "What do YOU say about the WORD?" After studying the testimony of the Word, the testimony of God, the testimony of history and the testimony of a Biblical worldview, we end by asking what we personally and corporately say about the Word of God. God has given us incredible power in His Word and He desires us to live, believe and speak His Word....

What does a worldview based upon God's Word say about big life questions? While the world often guesses the answers to these most important life questions, God gives us specific answers from His Word. Understanding a worldview from a Biblical perspective makes all the difference in how we live. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub

From internal and external evidence as well as in literature and archeology, the Bible is supreme among all books. The internal evidence shows that God writes history in advance and is perfect in His prophecy 100% of the time. Decide whether or not you will accept the truth of the Word of God or reject it. Speaker: Jeff Schwarzentraub