Calvary Chapel Ellicott City | Midweek

Growing up, a couple of my classmates would never show up to school on Good Friday. Now, I knew that Good Friday was about Jesus' crucifixion, but I didn't really see its importance until I grew deeper in my faith. In today's message, Pastor Dan explains the importance of Good Friday. Good Friday isn't just about HOW Jesus died, but it's about WHY He died and how that impacts YOU. Without His sacrifice, you would never be able to spend eternal life with Him. How has Jesus' sacrifice impacted your life?

What a powerful statement from Pastor Dan. Yes! It's true! God saw that the world needed a savior, so He sent His one and only son. In today's message, Pastor Dan says that God saved YOU from your sins through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Sin put Him on the cross, He took YOUR place, so that you can be saved from sin, Satan, and death. Lastly, He made sure that you can spend eternal life in Heaven with Him. Jesus died for you, then resurrected three days later to show His power. What an impactful sacrifice!!

Have you ever done something wrong and blamed it on your sibling? Surely, you'd feel a little guilty for having them take the blame. In today's message, Pastor Dan talks about Barabbas in the story of Jesus' crucifixion. Shockingly, you can relate to him. Barabbas was supposed to be killed for his crimes, but instead, Jesus was put on the cross. Much like Barabbas… You belong on the cross for your sins, but Jesus paid that cost for YOU! He sacrificed Himself for you so that you can spend eternal life with Him. 

Imagine being one of Jesus' disciples and hearing Him say that statement. The person you look up to the most, telling you that He will be crucified in the worst way imaginable, and you can't do anything to help Him. In today's message, Pastor Dan explains that Jesus always knew He had to be killed, as the prophecies say. As terrifying as this sounds, He died for YOU! His blood saved you from your sins, so that you can spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Praise God for His love for you!!

It's often said that marriage is 50/50, but the reality is… It's 100/100/100. Each spouse must give their all, and both must rely on God. Because of that, a husband and wife must be on the same team. In today's message, Pastor Dan teaches that the strength in a Christian household comes from a couple who push each other to grow closer to the Lord. If you're not married, look for that person who can challenge you to grow. If you are, be that person who draws your spouse closer to Jesus.

A core principle of leadership is delegation. It's knowing your weaknesses and knowing how the strength of others can fill the gap. It's relying on the skillset of professionals to do the task better than you can. It's embracing the counsel of those who are experts in their field. In today's message, Pastor Dan teaches that if you want the wisdom of God, then you need to delegate to Him. Know your weaknesses, and rely on God's strength to overcome them. When you seek God's wisdom, He will give it to you.

In the ancient Middle East, as in some places even today, if someone kills a member of your family, your family is required to avenge that death by spilling the blood of the killer or someone from his family. Today, Pastor Dan teaches us how God sought to institute justice in the Promised Land, at a time when there was no police force and no courts. Refuge cities were set up across Israel to protect the innocent from retribution. Are there things you can do to protect innocent people from harm today?

The 12 tribes of Israel never inhabited the entire territory God gave them. They failed to live in and utilize all the land inside the boundaries God had ordained for them. God's chosen people got complacent and lazy, and they disobeyed God. Today, Pastor Dan asks you to reflect on your own walk of faith. As He did for Israel, God has set boundaries for you. Do you also only inhabit a small portion of a much larger territory that God wants to give you? Are there ways you might be hindering God's work in your life?

As the tribes of Israel advanced into the Promised Land, God commanded them first to take the territory of Canaan, which Egypt had long possessed. Egypt would not be able to put up a fight because God had devastated them 40 years prior when He sent the plagues, followed by the destruction of their army in the Red Sea. Today, Pastor Dan tells us how God's work in years past helped Israel succeed in the present. Trust that God is smoothing out the road ahead of you, too, as you move out in faith.

When someone tells you they're going to do something for you—like call you, meet you at a certain time, or be there for you in a crisis—and they don't follow through, it feels pretty lousy, doesn't it?  It hurts when people break their promises. Today, Pastor Dan reminds you that God isn't like that…at all. He doesn't break His promises, because that's just not in His character. Jesus said, “I will neither leave you nor forsake you.” Now, that's a promise you can count on! What a great comfort that is! 

Most of us can readily remember our sins and beat ourselves up for things we've done or should have done, even after we've asked God for forgiveness, and even years later. Today, Pastor Dan brings us the good news that God isn't like that at all. The Book of Numbers lists many locations where the Israelites disobeyed God or grumbled against Him. When we read about those places, we recall their failures. But God doesn't. Because once He forgives you for your sins, He completely forgets them.  

Do you ever feel as if God is unaware of you? That He doesn't know what's going on with you, or doesn't really care? As the Children of Israel travelled through the wilderness after fleeing Egypt, God had them record what happened to them, so they would know that God was with them the whole way. In today's message, Pastor Dan wants you to know that God knows you; He knows your story—every place you've been, everything you've experienced, every failure, every victory, every struggle. All of it.

God's gift of choice; a gift given out of love. God doesn't force us to do anything. He doesn't make us walk on the path He lays out for us; instead, He permits our choices. Sometimes we can fool ourselves into thinking that these decisions are God's will. Understand that when we force the things that we want to happen and step away from God's perfect will for us, we leave ourselves vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. Today, Pastor Dan teaches the difference between permissive will and God's will.  

We hear the word “strive,” and we think of the hard work that we're willing to put into the things we love and want to achieve. The other side of “striving” is struggling; struggling to obtain something or to move forward in a better direction. We sometimes reach too far for things we're not meant to have. In the end, causing ourselves more grief than we ever anticipated. Today, Pastor Dan teaches that if striving puts you in a place of despair, you may want to reevaluate the path you are walking.

God makes us many promises, and anything that we can give ourselves outside of that is inferior. Don't let your eyes deceive you! Don't stop short of what God has for you, just because you think that something else may be better. When you allow yourself to be easily enticed by the look of simplicity and what's right now, you lose sight of God's will. In today's message, Pastor Dan teaches that living by God's will is walking by faith, and that isn't always easy, but it's always worth it!       

Growth and spiritual maturity are understanding that the enemy will never quit using our temptations against us! Some people think that healing through the provisions God has provided us is enough. It is a constant battle, here in the midst of sin. To convince oneself into thinking that you no longer need to rid your life of the things that kept you under, just because you have found healing, is foolish. Today, Pastor Dan teaches that there is no longer room in your life for the things that have brought destruction.   

In this day and age, it can be difficult for women at times to align submissively under their husbands. In fact, one of the hardest things might be to refrain from arguing. Some people may see this obedience as a form of oppression of women. Yet, it is just another example of God's grace and love for His daughters. Today, Pastor Dan teaches us about the practical nature of alignment, the leadership bestowed upon man, and the consequences that may come with that responsibility.   

As kids, we made “pinky promises” to signify our commitment to the silly, yet very serious nature of our words. It was a way to build trust and bonds within friendships. Keeping that child-like faith, as Christians, we must never take a vow to God lightly. Vows made to God are binding; more serious than any promise made to another person. Always make your vows to God with great care because, as Pastor Dan teaches, only fools leave their vows unfulfilled, and God takes no pleasure in fools.  

In the Old Testament, there were a number of sacrifices.  First, there were daily sacrifices.  Then, there were weekly sacrifices.  Also, sacrifices once a month.  And finally, sacrifices for various annual festivals.  Why?  Today, Pastor Dan explains how these sacrifices established a calendar and a routine for God's people.  And he emphasizes how important a routine is for your spiritual life.  Your earthly calendar has hours, days, weeks, months, and years.  Your spiritual calendar must have the same priority.

Did you ever wonder why there are so many sacrifices in the Old Testament?  And do they have any significance in the New Testament?  Today, Pastor Dan draws out a number of commonalities between the Old Testament sacrifices and what happens in the New Testament.  One of the most fascinating deals with the daily morning and evening sacrifices, and how Jesus exactly mirrored them on the cross.  God's Word is always trustworthy.  And so is His plan for your life – past, present, and future. 

When you read the Old Testament, especially the part about all the sacrifices of lambs and bulls, you might wonder if this is still important to know about.  If so, you'll be fascinated by the many ways Pastor Dan shows today that everything in the Old Testament in some way points to Jesus.  Yes, there were a tremendous number of sacrifices, and yet they all point to God's final sacrifice of His Son.  The sacrifice of Jesus is a reminder of your sin, your need, His sacrifice, and your forgiveness. 

An interesting question arose for Moses when he was preparing to divide up the Promised Land. Some women came to him, daughters of a father with no sons.  And they pointed out that Moses's plan would give them no inheritance to carry on their father's name.  Today, Pastor Dan notes that there was nothing written in the Law to cover this situation.  So what did Moses do?  He inquired of the Lord.  God's Word is the rule of your life.  But not everything is spelled out.  That's when you need to ask for His wisdom.

If you're an athlete, such as a baseball player or a marathon runner, you know how important it is to train.  You want to do everything you can to make yourself stronger for your sport and avoid everything that will make you weaker.  Today, Pastor Dan shows that training in godliness must be approached in that same way.  When you're focused on living for Christ, you're strengthening your faith and your spiritual life.  And by avoiding sin, you're saying “no” to those things that will injure you spiritually. 

It's interesting to note that when God commanded Moses to take a census of the nation of Israel – twice, it was calculated by counting the men aged twenty and above.  Today, Pastor Dan draws out an insight from this: In God's design, there are children, and there are adults.  If you're a young person living at home, God's call upon you is to learn from your godly parents and leaders while you can.  Then, as an adult, your responsibility is to take ownership of your own relationship with God.

Reading the Old Testament, you can find lots of history about God and how He deals with people.  And when you do that, it could be just a bunch of interesting facts.  Or, it could be more.  Today, Pastor Dan unpacks an incident where Phineas* takes care of a sin problem within the camp of Israel.  But it's not just a history lesson.  It points to Jesus Christ, Who is the sin solution for all people today who will accept Him.  Your faith in Christ comes from a long lineage of God's history.  Hold to it gratefully and diligently.

As Christians, we like to remind ourselves that “the war has already been won”.  And that's true, praise God!  But today, Pastor Dan reminds us that we're still in daily battles with the enemy of God.  God will never stop loving you and pursuing you.  But you have the choice every day, in every situation, whether to pursue God and His holiness, or to seek your own desires and interests.  That's why it's important to stay focused on God, and not to allow your eyes to be overly dazzled by this world.

There was a pagan sorcerer in the Old Testament named Balaam.  And he was hired by a man named Balak to curse the people of Israel.  But whenever Balaam tried to curse God's people, God Himself intervened and prevented him from doing so.  Today, Pastor Dan shows how this principle is carried forward into the New Testament.  God will never forsake you.  He'll never stop caring for you.  But he does allow you the choice, on a daily and moment-by-moment basis, whether or not to follow Him.  

It's truly amazing to read some of the prophecies in the Old Testament, and to understand their meanings.  Today, Pastor Dan explains a prophecy made by a pagan sorcerer named Balaam*.  Through this man, God spoke a prophecy of a star, representing deity, and a scepter, representing the King, coming from Israel.  Have you noticed the stars in Jewish symbolism?  Do you remember what guided the magi from the East?  This prophecy is about Jesus the Messiah: your God and your King.

Have you ever known someone who's making an important decision, and they consult some pretty unusual sources?  Maybe the horoscope, maybe a medium, or perhaps they're looking for signs in the stars or their lottery numbers.  Today, Pastor Dan says: don't be surprised by that.  It's been a practice for ages, to consult the gods by omens and numbers.  But that's not the way to consult the Living God.  And that's what our man Balaam* will learn in today's message.  And that message is a reminder for you too.

Imagine you're on a flight and the captain comes on with some bad news.  Or at your job, the announcement comes that your company just got bought.  What do people do?  Well, according to Pastor Dan, if they're anything like most people, most often, they'll all start praying to all kinds of gods.  Today, you'll see how this happened with a character named Balaam*, who was hired to curse Israel.  He called on seven gods.  But he heard back from One. The question is: which God are you calling on?

Do you ever laugh at jokes you don't really find funny, agree with opinions you don't actually share, stay late when you don't need to, dress differently, or act more confident than you feel—just to be liked? It's easy to shape what you say or do to please other people. But God isn't impressed by performance. Today, Pastor Dan tells you that there's nothing you can do to earn God's approval. All you have to do is receive His grace and mercy, freely given to you. 

You've probably heard the phrase, “Give an inch, take a mile.” That's exactly how the enemy works. When you start compromising—telling yourself that certain little things are no big deal, even though you know better—the devil uses that opening to push further. He takes advantage of small compromises and turns them into bigger ones. Today, Pastor Dan reminds you that you can't afford to give the devil even an inch, because if you do, he'll take as much ground as you let him.

It's easy to settle into life's rhythms and get comfortable. Daily routines can lull you into thinking everything's fine and under control. But as one of God's people, you do have an enemy. Pastor Dan reminds you that the devil is real, he hates you, and he wants to do real harm. Yet it's easy to live as if he doesn't exist. Today's message challenges you to ask yourself: Are you staying alert and resisting the enemy, or are you drifting through life unguarded?

Have you ever been forced to take a detour because of traffic or construction—especially when your phone didn't warn you? It's frustrating when the longer route wasn't part of the plan. The Israelites knew that feeling well, as they wandered through the desert, growing discouraged along the way. When your own plans get rerouted, life can feel even more disappointing. Today, Pastor Dan encourages you not to grow weary when life doesn't unfold the way you expected, and to trust God, even in the detours.

When there are problems in life—even ones of our own making—it's natural to try to fix everything ourselves. God's people did that, too. They faced serious situations, many of their own making, yet God still provided the solution. They didn't have to save themselves; they just had to look to what God had given them. In the same way, God offered the ultimate solution for our problems, Jesus. Today, Pastor Dan reminds you that you can't fix your deepest problem; only Jesus can do that. 

As the Israelites made their way through the desert, they weren't just tired—they were under attack. Their enemies saw God's people as a threat and waited for the right moment, going after them when they were weak, discouraged, and worn down. In a lot of ways, that hasn't changed. As God's people today, we face enemies too, and they use the same strategy. Today, Pastor Dan reminds you to stay alert, especially when you're exhausted or frustrated, because that's often when you're most vulnerable to being taken down.

When the Bible talks about Aaron's death, it says he was “gathered to his people.” For those who believe in Jesus, death isn't the end—it's actually the beginning. It's union with Jesus, and it's a reunion with the loved ones who've gone ahead of us and are already with Him. Today, Pastor Dan invites you to think about some important questions: When your time comes, who will you be gathered to? Will death be a reunion for you? And are you ready for that reunion with Jesus and with fellow believers?

Even the most respected people fall short of God's standards. Moses and Aaron were used by God in amazing ways. But when the people complained about not having water in the desert, Moses and Aaron didn't follow God's instructions, as He told them to. Because of that, they didn't get to see the fulfillment of God's promise firsthand. Today, Pastor Dan reminds you how important it is to do what God asks of you, so you don't miss out on experiencing the fullness of what God has promised.

Have you ever stopped and wondered why God has you right where you are? It's not random. God has always been intentional about where He places His people. He put Israel right at the crossroads of different nations so they could point others to Him. Today, Pastor Dan explains how God has strategically placed you exactly where you are for a reason—to use your life to direct the right people to Him at the right time.  He wants to work in you, to show that He's in control, and for you to invite others into His family.

Moses was God's representative to the people of Israel. What he said and did was meant to reflect who God is. Most of the time, he did that really well—but he wasn't perfect, and at one point, he messed up in a big way. In the same way, as followers of Jesus with the Holy Spirit living in us, we represent Jesus to the world around us. Today, Pastor Dan reminds you that you're an ambassador for Christ, and challenges you to ask an honest question: Are you giving people an accurate picture of Jesus?

When someone wrongly blames you for something, your first instinct is usually to snap back—“That wasn't me!” or “It's not my fault!” That's exactly what the Israelites did when things got hard—they blamed Moses and Aaron. But instead of firing back, Moses and Aaron took it to the Lord in prayer. Jesus did the same thing when He was falsely accused. Today, Pastor Dan challenges you to show self-control and respond differently—to go to God first in humble prayer, instead of reacting in anger.

Sin has a way of stealing time from us—years, even decades. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, not because God failed them, but because they didn't trust His promises. It was a lot of that time was simply wasted. The same thing can happen to us. Time spent apart from Jesus doesn't produce anything that lasts. Today, Pastor Dan challenges you to make the most of your time, stay close to Jesus, and live in a way that produces fruit that matters for God's Kingdom—now and forever.

As you dive into God's Word, you'll stumble upon this intriguing figure known as the Antichrist. Do you ever wonder what inspired this name for him? In today's message, Pastor Dan dives into the intriguing topic of the Antichrist and explores his role in the final days of our world. He would present himself as the Messiah, pulling the wool over the world's eyes. He would then seize control of Israel and set his plans in motion, aiming to spread darkness and target all those who believe in Jesus.

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through the news and reading about the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and thought about what really went wrong between the two? Today, Pastor Dan explains how the red heifers, carefully prepared by the Israelites, played a role in igniting the war. Red heifers signal that Israel might be gearing up to construct the third temple, and Hamas is determined to stop that from happening at any cost. Hey there! Tune in to hear Pastor Dan share more about it!

If you're feeling under the weather with a cold and happen to cough around others, there's a good chance they might catch it too! Just like that pesky cough, our sins can spread and impact those around us, too. No matter how much effort you put in, sin has a sneaky way of creeping in and causing chaos in your life. But did you know there's a remedy out there, too? Today, Pastor Dan shares how Jesus is the only one who can save you from the sneaky snare of sin. All you have to do is believe in Him!

Have you ever found yourself curious about where all that money from your offerings and tithes actually ends up? The folks in the Old Testament were on the same wavelength, too. But Paul made it clear to everyone through the scripture that the money was meant to support him while he dedicated his life to God. This way, he could fully concentrate on his ministry without the distraction of having to work. Today, Pastor Dan explains how this same logic resonates with our generation!

So, when Peter said he didn't know Jesus not once, not twice, but three times, it's safe to say he missed the mark on his mission. So, does that mean Jesus just threw in the towel on him? No! Instead, Jesus embraced him with forgiveness, showered him with love, and set him on a fresh path of purpose. Maybe you're a bit like Peter, who has stumbled in his journey of serving God at times. But as Pastor Dan shares with us today, God isn't going to just walk away from you. He'll always come around!

Have you ever thought about what really sets Jesus apart from other religions and those so-called false gods? When you read about other religions and their deities, you might start to see something common: every so-called god has met their end. But guess what? Jesus is alive! In today's message, Pastor Dan shares some insights on why Jesus is the one and only Saviour you need. He gave His life on the cross for your sins, but then He triumphed over death and now reigns on the throne in heaven!

You are not your parents, and you're not your past choices, or theirs, for that matter. God created you, and He knew you before you were born. He knew the sin that would fill your heart and reign in your life. Yet, He sent His Son to save you. He sees you as a long-lost child, and He's waiting for you to come back to Him. As Pastor Dan will point out in today's message, just as God redeemed the children of Korah, He wants to use you to accomplish His good and perfect will. 

While Moses wasn't a perfect leader, he demonstrated reliance on the perfect, holy God Who chose him to lead the nation of Israel to freedom. In today's passage, Pastor Dan will look at the story of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, as they rose up, driven by envy, to rebel against Moses and Aaron's leadership. Moses models godly leadership in his response, as he turns first to prayer, instead of relying on his own reasoning or reacting in anger. God faithfully comes through and solves the problem for him.

Envy is a sinful mindset that most of us have struggled with on some level. As we continue our study in the book of Numbers with Pastor Dan, we'll find envy infecting the hearts of some zealous men who felt that Moses and Aaron were taking on more authority than they deserved. Envy looks at others with bitterness when they experience success in some way. It's a destructive attitude, and in this case, deadly, as it results in the death of those who rose up against God's appointed leadership.