Calvary Chapel Ellicott City | Midweek

Do you have anyone like that in your life? Someone who is encouraging every time they speak? Perhaps you are that person? As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, God has planned out and is actively orchestrating His will for this world, and that includes your life. He uses His Children to lift up and encourage each other and push each other on in carrying out His mission for us in this world. We simply need to make ourselves available and ready to step out in faith.

Have you ever felt God speaking to your heart, directing you to share something with someone? It can be intimidating. What will that person think? What if you misheard God's voice? That's okay to be nervous. It's an opportunity to step out in faith and exercise obedience. As Pastor Dan will encourage us today, we should share when we feel led. Remind the person to test and weigh it against Scripture and the Spirit's guidance, but the word you share with them may be just what they need to hear.

Our culture pushes us to take pride in who we are. Like so many deceptive teachings, this starts with a fundamental truth. Scripture tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Humans are amazing. But this isn't a point of personal pride, it's a reason to look Heavenward in humble gratitude for the work of our Creator. As Pastor Dan will warn in today's message, we need to maintain a realistic and honest sense of self, fully aware of our weakness, while leaning into God's incredible love and grace.

Our world is on a path away from God and contrary to His design for humanity. We were created to glorify Him and live in relationship with Him. Instead, we've embraced lives that go directly against His will, and we pour energy and resources into our selfish ambitions. As Pastor Dan will challenge us in today's message, we should stand out from the culture as believers. When we reflect the radical love, compassion, and humility of Christ, it will catch their attention and point towards Him.

Have you ever hurt someone, and instead of retaliating or holding it against you, they forgave you and withheld the consequences you deserved? It's a humbling experience. Even the most broken relationship can heal because of that act of mercy. As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, all of us have hurt God with our actions and attitudes. We deserve eternal separation from Him, yet He's extended mercy and, even beyond that, grace, in offering redemption through Christ.

The promise that God made to Israel—that all the land of Israel would belong to them—is everlasting. In today's message, Pastor Dan reminds us that God keeps His promises. This promise to the Jewish people, regarding the land of Canaan, includes the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It is not a promise made by humans that can be changed or broken; rather, it is a covenant made by an omnipotent God that will last forever. While human promises may be broken, God's promises are eternal.

During the end times, all the nations of the world will turn against Israel. We are already witnessing a rise in anti-Semitism, but it will be nothing compared to what will occur before the Battle of Armageddon. All nations will gather to attack Israel. In today's message, Pastor Dan describes this battle. He explains that Christ will eventually return and stand on the Mount of Olives, where He ascended into heaven. God will rescue His people, the Jews, who have turned to Him, and away from destruction.

Although some Jews accepted Jesus, the vast majority were blinded to spiritual truths because they rejected Christ as the promised Messiah of Israel and the Son of God. In today's message, Pastor Dan explains this blindness and the hardening of their hearts. He also clarifies the term "mystery" in Scripture. There are truths hidden in the Old Testament that are revealed in the New Testament. It is not that these truths were unknown; rather, they were simply explained more fully in later years.

Our salvation is not something we should boast about; it is entirely based on Jesus and our faith in Him. In today's message, Pastor Dan explains the role of the Jews, with whom God established His new covenant, and how Gentiles have been incorporated into the plan of salvation. The Jews were like branches that were cut off, due to their dependence on their works. In contrast, the salvation of the Gentiles came solely through faith in Christ, and not something to take pride in of their own doing. 

The history of the nation of Israel showcases a remarkable miracle of God's preservation. In 70 AD, the Jewish nation was destroyed and scattered around the world. Not until 1948 did the Jewish people return to their homeland and reestablish their nation. In today's message, Pastor Dan points out that “people usually assimilate after two or three generations, losing their language, culture, and traditions." However, the Jewish people have preserved their culture and returned to their country.

Israel has a long history of turning away from God. The rejection of Jesus by the Jews aligns with this past behavior. In today's message, Pastor Dan reminds us that a small remnant of faithful individuals remained throughout these periods of disobedience. He also emphasizes that God set Israel aside, due to their apostasy, often leading them into bondage. However, this captivity was never permanent; God always restored Israel. This process, in turn, paved the way for the salvation of the Gentiles.

God's invitation to salvation is open-handed, extended to every soul without price. But grace is not a toy; treating it as a license to do whatever you want hardens the heart and insults the Giver. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you that God welcomes the humble and repentant, but He will not be mocked by casual deceit. Choose sincerity: confess honestly, turn from sin, and receive mercy. You can honor the gift by living gratefully, and you'll find freedom rather than judgment.

History proves that when many abandon truth, God preserves a remnant—ordinary believers who refuse to bow to the spirit of the age. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will remind you to take heart that hidden faithfulness still burns in quiet homes and small gatherings, keeping the flame alive. This remnant prays, repents, and serves with steady courage until renewal breaks forth. Choose steadfast obedience where you are; your unwavering light may help spark the next awakening.

Watching the unfolding story of Israel provides a lens through which global events come into sharper focus. It alerts our hearts to the bigger narrative God is writing in Israel's history. In today's message, Pastor Dan will share with you that this nation's rebirth, alliances, and conflicts serve as living indicators of larger spiritual and geopolitical currents. Observing its challenges and breakthroughs can help you, as a believer, to see God making a way for His people.

The core of the gospel isn't cloaked in obscure theology; it's a straightforward invitation to a restored relationship. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will encourage you to celebrate a God who distills eternal truth into terms a child can embrace: brokenness met by love, forgiveness offered through faith, new life gifted freely. Complexity fades when hearts hear that heaven's door swings on grace, not achievement. You can share this beautifully simple story that transforms everything.

God's heart beats for every neighborhood, workplace, and classroom, and He invites His people to carry good news into them all. In today's message, we're reminded that the gospel travels best through ordinary lives—conversations at lunch, kindness in crisis, and integrity under pressure. As you go, speak with humility and courage, listen with compassion, and point to hope. Wherever your feet step today, Pastor Dan will encourage you to use your voice and actions to proclaim Jesus.

God often speaks through messengers you might overlook—mentors, friends, a child's question, a song, even an interruption that redirects your steps. And in today's message, Pastor Dan will help you learn to stay attentive and humble, inviting the Spirit to highlight what is from Him. Wise counsel, providential timing, and inner peace often confirm the nudge. You can honor the messenger, but focus on the Sender, and respond with grateful and immediate obedience.

Long before the iPhone, the MacBook, or the iPod, there was the Commodore 64. Releasing this machine in the early 1980s, Apple made home computers accessible to many family homes for the first time. Even further back, way before the Commodore 64, Jesus' death and resurrection made salvation accessible to all people – and even better, it doesn't require electricity or internet! In today's message, Pastor Dan shares with us how salvation was made accessible, why it matters, and how we can attain that salvation for ourselves!

Do you have any morning habits? As much as I'd love to say that mine is running or working out, in this season of life, it's been hitting the snooze on my alarm once or twice! But scientific and behavioral studies have shown time and again that the first thing done in the morning will often “set the tone” for the day. While that may seem like a lot of pressure, I think that Pastor Dan's message today can both encourage and challenge you. Take a moment and listen in, and don't forget to get the coffee brewing!

The Olympics are quite a spectacle. There's something about seeing people of such incredible talent, with that level of devotion to their craft, and watching them compete on the world stage. One of the sports I find most interesting is gymnastics; more specifically, the balance beam. I'd be lucky to simply walk across, without falling and getting hurt! There's a balance that must be in place - when it comes to understanding how God works, and in today's message, Pastor Dan delves into just that!

Perhaps you've heard the joke about the man stranded during a hurricane. He continues to ignore the assistance offered to him, passing up a truck, a boat, and even a helicopter! When he dies, he asks God, “Why didn't you save me?” The truth is, God provided ample opportunities for the man to be saved, but the man was responsible for his choice to accept or decline the help. Listen in today, as Pastor Dan speaks on this topic, and consider this: Are you passing up on the help that God is offering you?

I tried my hand at pottery when I was in 7th-grade art class. From a heap of clay, I had made a fine-looking cup to bring home to my mother. I was proud of my work, but imagine, if you will, that this cup spoke to me, complaining about my craftsmanship. “You didn't make me large enough; you didn't give me a handle; I wanted to be a different color!” A foolish thought, perhaps; but what are you, in God's hands, but clay? Today, Pastor Dan provides insight into understanding this analogy of your place before God.

Getting what we deserve feels great, doesn't it? Receiving good grades after studying hard, getting those promotions at work after a long project, or picking up that free Chick-fil-A sandwich! But it depends on the context. If we receive what we deserve, when it comes to our standing before God, we are all sinful, deserving of death and hell. Today, Pastor Dan walks us through how, despite how “no one is good, not even one”, we don't have to get what we deserve. There is grace to go around.

Our God is gracious beyond comprehension. He went to incredible lengths, sending His own beloved Son to take on flesh and suffer and die on a cross to secure our salvation. Yet many people reject Him and even accuse Him of being cruel and unloving. As Pastor Dan will explain in today's message, as much as God loves those people, He will not force their hearts to soften. As they harden their hearts, they can come to a point where God allows them to completely solidify against Him.

Have you ever heard someone say, “That's just not right!” in response to a tragic event? When we experience things that we see as unfair, one of our first responses may be to question God and wonder how He could be good if He allows such injustice. As Pastor Dan will clarify in today's message, our God, who exists eternally, with no end or beginning, is the very definition of righteous. He created righteousness, and we can trust that His ways are good even when we can't see it from our perspective. 

On the surface, if you look at the nation of Israel, it may appear as though God's plan failed. As a nation, they rejected Jesus as their Messiah and still do. But, as Pastor Dan will point out in today's message, there is a remnant of Israel that believed, and this remnant has grown over time. While some believe God is done with Israel, that isn't supported by Scripture. He still has a plan for this chosen nation, and He will use them in orchestrating His final work of judgment and redemption for this world.

You don't want that to be true of you. Just as God chose Israel to hold a special position in this world – a nation to bless all other nations – He's extended that invitation to all who would believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If you've accepted that gift, you have a calling. Your life is no longer just about meeting your own needs and desires. As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, we are called to live a life that serves others and spreads the amazing truth of the Gospel to our world. 

Material wealth and abundance in this world are not the same as the blessings we experience in God's Kingdom. Our God is a faithful and generous provider, and we can trust Him to meet our needs. This is true for us as individuals, and it's true on a larger scale – for our churches and even our nations. As Pastor Dan will point out, when a nation operates in a way that honors God – marked by love, compassion, and righteous living, we can expect to experience the blessing of His divine providence. 

God never backs out of His covenants or breaks His promises. He is steadfast in His Word. As we enjoy the benefits and blessings of the New Covenant He extended to us through Christ, we can still take comfort and encouragement by looking back at the ways He fulfilled His promises under the Old Covenant. As Pastor Dan will point out in today's message, even in the last century, we see the fulfillment of His promises taking place on a global scale, and He has shown Himself to be faithful.  

Struggle is a part of this life. That's not how God designed it. This brokenness we experience rises out of sin and rebellion against God. Just to clarify, this doesn't mean God punishes us specifically for our individual sins. It's the sin we're born into that results in pain and heartache throughout our lives. As Pastor Dan will remind us in today's message, whatever form our hardship may take, it should not be seen as a punishment or a slight from God, but as an opportunity to trust in Him more.

What a relief! For most believers, this isn't a new concept, but it's one that we need reminded of frequently. We seem to have a hard time letting it really sink in. God is for us. He wanted us to have a relationship with Him since before we were born, and He went to great lengths to make it possible. He sent Jesus to take on flesh and suffer and die so that we could be righteous in His sight. As Pastor Dan will remind us today, we can rest in this knowledge and have joy as we experience freedom from sin.

Jesus was gentle and patient. This doesn't mean He was weak or timid. He did have moments where His anger rose to the surface. All too often, when we get angry, it's out of weakness and fear. Jesus' anger was only displayed out of His righteousness and compassion when He saw people abusing others in some way. As Pastor Dan will challenge us in today's message, if we're going to be like Jesus, we'll need the help of His Holy Spirit to impart patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.

This life is full of ups and downs. There are beautiful moments where you can enjoy spiritual, emotional, or physical pleasure – these are gifts of God's grace. But there are also many moments where the brokenness of humanity, both internally and in the people around us, brings pain and suffering. As Pastor Dan continues our study of the book of Romans today, we'll be reminded of the great hope we have in Christ. He can redeem even the worst things in life and use them to bring good.

We've all chosen things that aren't from the Lord; it's in our nature! No matter what you try to do, you'll always sin because you were born that way. In today's message, Pastor Dan says all creation groans because they aren't being used the way that God intended them to be used. Your sin has made a gap between you and God. But God sent His Son so you could be free from the chains of sin. He wants you to be in eternity with Him; all you must do is believe that Jesus died and rose again for your sins! 

When I was younger, I was able to play sports every single day and not feel a thing. Now, as I've aged, I become sore a lot quicker and different body parts start to ache. As you get older, you'll realize that your body decays at a rapid rate! Today, Pastor Dan says when Jesus returns, you'll be given a new body. The body that you have is full of sin, but if you trust in Jesus, He'll give you a new body, free of sin and made new through the blood of Jesus. Trust in Him today and have the hope of eternity with Him!

If you ever watch the news, you'll notice that suffering and pain are going on all around you! In today's message, Pastor Dan says if you believe in Jesus, you'll be lifted to the Heavens with every believer when Jesus returns. God promises that your bodies will be made new and that there will be no more pain and no more sorrow! If you don't believe in God, now's the time to do so! He loves you and has allowed you to accept and receive eternal life through His Son! All you must do is believe in Him today!

Throughout history, kings would give their inheritance and wealth to the next generation. This would allow for kingdoms to have families who would rule for decades. This is much more uncommon in the present day, but what if I told you that you could have an inheritance for eternity? Today, Pastor Dan says you'll receive the full inheritance Christ received if you believe. Trust in God today and find your comfort in what's eternal. This world is temporary; find your hope in the eternality of God.

What does a child do when they're lost or hurt? They call for their parent or guardian to come rescue them and save them from whatever's tormenting them! In today's message, Pastor Dan says just as Jesus calls God “Abba,” we can also call Him “Abba.” God has given us access to Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son. Now you can live with confidence in life knowing that whenever you're in trouble, you can call out to your “Abba Father” and He'll come help you in every circumstance.

You can always tell when a baby is with their parent because they look comfortable. Their smile becomes wider, they may babble a little, they may even fall asleep in their arms! Today, Pastor Dan says that every day, believers must be guided by the Holy Spirit. People will know God is with you if they see the Holy Spirit working in your life. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to fit into the world, but God wants you to stand out for Him! Allow God to work in your life through the Holy Spirit today!

As children, we must depend on our parents for assistance in our everyday lives. From our diet to our housing, everything we do is influenced by our parents! In today's message, Pastor Dan says that as believers, we must always live with reliance on the Holy Spirit. He'll guide you if you ask! God gave you the Holy Spirit to discern the things that please God and displease Him. Like your parents, the Holy Spirit will always guide you to what's best for you. Allow God to lead your life, trust in Him today!

Have you ever completely forgiven someone for the wrong they did to you? It's an uncommon thing because you don't naturally want to forgive others. Pastor Dan reminds you today that there's no condemnation for those who follow Christ Jesus. Did you hear that? There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! If you follow God, you're free from the bondage of sin! God gave His Son as a sacrifice. You can have confidence knowing that Christ has paid your debt, live freely through His blood!  

How hard is it for us to stop ourselves from falling into temptation? When we want something, usually we get it! Today, Pastor Dan says sin is a deceiving thing and will always lead us to emptiness. God has given you a way to fight sin! It's through Jesus's death and resurrection! He loves you and sent His Son for your sins. Follow Jesus and find freedom in Him! Sin always leads to emptiness, but the Lord will always lead you to eternal life.

When a sign says, “Don't touch that lawn”, what's our initial instinct? Most of us would want to touch it! Our sin causes us to be curious about what happens when we break the law! Today, Pastor Dan reminds us that it's easy for us to make rules and tell ourselves that we'll stop sinning, but we'll never be able to keep them. You see, the laws you create for yourself remind you of the sin that you can't have. God wants you to depend on His power to stop yourself from sinning and not on your own.

Have you ever tried to go through a day without an adequate amount of sleep? It's difficult to function, and our brains struggle to focus on the things we need to concentrate on. Today, Pastor Dan says our sanctification isn't by anything we've done, but by everything the Lord's done in our lives. Just like the sleep you need to function in life, you also need God, but so much more. You're sanctified because of Him! He gave up His Son to save you from the sentence of death that you deserved.

Today, Pastor Dan will remind you that when you turn to Christ and receive His forgiveness, you experience a heart change, and that heart change results in a behavior change. Forgiveness is not cheap, and it does not excuse the sin that separated you from God. It cost God everything to offer you the cleansing that pronounces you righteous before Him. Rather than continue on the self-centered path that led you astray from Him to begin with, the forgiven can walk in God's path, full of joy and holiness. 

Today, Pastor Dan will remind you that you are commanded by God not to let sin reign in your body, obeying its lusts, but instead you are to present yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. While you're now set free from the penalty of sin, you still live in the presence of sin while you're alive on this earth. And the only way you can be free from the power of sin is by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is given to believers at the moment you come in faith to Christ. 

As Pastor Dan continues his teaching series through the book of Romans, he'll explain that everyone is a slave in the spiritual sense. We are either slaves to sin, which is our natural state, or we are slaves to Christ. Once you come to Christ in repentance and receive forgiveness for sin, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit who comes to live within you. It's by His power that you can resist sinning and become slaves of righteousness. Sin no longer has dominion over you; you can now say no to sin!

The phrase “dead to sin” comes from Romans 6:11: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Here, the contrast is made that to be “dead to sin” is to be “alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Today, Pastor Dan will remind you that those who have come to faith in Jesus are no longer to allow sin to control their lives. Instead, you should offer yourselves to God to serve His purposes. Before Christ, you were a “slave” to sin. Now you have a new Master and can be a slave to righteousness. 

Today, Pastor Dan will be explaining how everyone is in need of redemption and that everyone has a chance to make that choice. Our natural condition was characterized by guilt: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Christ's redemption has freed us from guilt, being “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. You were a slave to sin, condemned to eternal separation from God. Jesus paid the price to redeem you, resulting in your freedom from sin and death!

When you become a child of God, your entry in God's ledger is wiped completely clean! But the amazing thing is that this salvation isn't a one-time event; it's ongoing! So the sins and mistakes you may commit in the future will also not be counted against you. Pastor Dan wants you to know that the grace of God that covers your life is greater than any sin you could possibly commit in this life. By accepting this grace over your life, you have broken the hold that sin had on your soul.

Because the nature of sin is integral to the story of mankind, it becomes necessary for the person who defeats sin to also be fully human! That's one of the great mysteries of Jesus: that He came to Earth fully man and fully God. He didn't compromise His nature as the Son of God by taking on a human form. Pastor Dan teaches you today that Jesus' dual nature was the only reason He was able to live a sinless life, and why He was able to take the sins of mankind on the cross to purchase our salvation.