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The teaching ministry of Calvary Church.

We exist to magnify Jesus in all we are and all we communicate.

Our mission is to equip our church family—and others beyond us—for lives that honor Christ.

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How to Hear the Word of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-23)
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How to Hear the Word of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-23)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

How to Hear the Word of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:1-23)

September 24, 2026
How you hear matters. In Matthew 13:1–23,…
Jesus: The Only One Worth Building Your Life On (Matthew 12:38-50)
construction worker in hard hat on building frame
Jesus: The Only One Worth Building Your Life On (Matthew 12:38-50)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

Jesus: The Only One Worth Building Your Life On (Matthew 12:38-50)

September 17, 2026
Jesus is either the greatest egomaniac who…
The Gentle and Lowly Warrior (Matthew 12:22-37)
A viking warrior in chainmail and tunic holding a shield
The Gentle and Lowly Warrior (Matthew 12:22-37)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

The Gentle and Lowly Warrior (Matthew 12:22-37)

September 10, 2026
In this Sunday sermon from Matthew 12:22-37,…
How Can Christ’s Yoke Be Easy? (Matthew 12:1-21)
a couple of animals stand near each other
How Can Christ’s Yoke Be Easy? (Matthew 12:1-21)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

How Can Christ’s Yoke Be Easy? (Matthew 12:1-21)

September 3, 2026
In this message from our series The…
Invited Into Rest (Matthew 11:20-30)
woman lying on grass front of sea at daytime
Invited Into Rest (Matthew 11:20-30)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

Invited Into Rest (Matthew 11:20-30)

August 27, 2026
In this message from our series The…
When Jesus Doesn’t Fit Your Expectations (Matthew 11:1-19)
A circular stained glass window depicting a central figure with arms outstretched
When Jesus Doesn’t Fit Your Expectations (Matthew 11:1-19)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

When Jesus Doesn’t Fit Your Expectations (Matthew 11:1-19)

August 23, 2026
In this week's teaching at Calvary Church,…
Blessed Are The Merciful, Right? (Psalm 41)
A group of people standing around a cross
Blessed Are The Merciful, Right? (Psalm 41)Sunday TeachingsSummer in the Psalms

Blessed Are The Merciful, Right? (Psalm 41)

August 13, 2026
In this weekend's sermon on Psalm 41,…
On the Summit in the Pit (Psalm 40)
person standing on mountain
On the Summit in the Pit (Psalm 40)Sunday TeachingsSummer in the Psalms

On the Summit in the Pit (Psalm 40)

August 6, 2026
In this week's teaching at Calvary Church,…

Video Content

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Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/the-king-wed-never-design-but-most-certainly-need-matthew-161-23/ Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 7:54 1. He Is Enough (1–12) 21:04 2. He Is the Son of the Living God (13–16) 31:09 3. He Builds His Way (17–23) 43:49 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5DNUEzOUFFNkIyOUUzOTRC
Is anyone off-limits to Jesus? In Matthew 15:21–39, Pastor Nate Holdridge follows Jesus into Gentile territory, where a Canaanite mother asks for crumbs and a crowd of thousands walks away with baskets to spare. Her empty-handed, humble, undeterred faith hears a secret yes beneath Christ’s silence, and his grace proves big enough for the broken, the hungry, the outsider and the forgetful. Come to the Boundary-Crossing King, who became the outsider so outsiders could have a seat at his table. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/the-boundary-crossing-king-matthew-1521-39/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-FA26_Oct-29-Nov-1.pdf Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 22:39 1. He Loves Faith That Asks for Crumbs (21–28) 35:11 2. He Gives Grace That Fills Baskets (29–39) 44:03 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy4xRjE1NzQ4MjRCMUNFRDdB
Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/heart-renovation-required-matthew-151-20/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-FA26_Oct-22-25.pdf Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 13:44 1. Incorrect Solution: Dead Devotion (1–9) 27:39 2. Problem: Defiling Hearts (10–20) 34:39 3. Correct Solution: Heart Renovation 40:54 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5EQTdFNDU3M0Y3MTM1QjlG
This world can be exhausting, and we all live under the thumb of little kings who promise a party but serve our head on a platter. In Matthew 14, Pastor Nate Holdridge sets Herod’s deadly banquet beside the feast Jesus spread in the wilderness and asks: What kind of King is Jesus? He is the Shepherd-King who feeds us, the Storm-Walker who comes to us in the darkest watch of the night, and the Saving King who reaches out the moment we cry, “Lord, save me.” Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/what-kind-of-king-is-jesus-matthew-14/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-FA26_Oct-15-18.pdf Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 0:00 Josh Querfurth Hiring Announcement 3:00 Begin Message 13:00 1. The Shepherd-King who feeds us in our wilderness (13–21) 25:40 2. The Storm-Walker King who comes to us in our storms (22–27) 35:10 3. The Saving King who reaches out when we become desperate (28–33) 39:45 Conclusion: Worship and reach for him (34–36) 41:40 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy4wNjIzRDA1OTQ2M0UyODEw
Guest speaker Pilgrim Benham continues our study through the book of Matthew. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/the-kingdom-without-the-king-matthew-1344-58/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-FA26_Oct-8-11.pdf Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 0:00 Introduction 2:40 Begin Teaching 11:21 1. The Kingdom is priceless 19:06 2. The Kingdom is public 26:56 3. The Kingdom is provocative 38:41 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy4wQjA4QkVEQ0RFREIzMjFC
God's people expected a kingdom that would arrive big, political, and obvious—but Jesus came another way. In Matthew 13:24–43, Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through three parables of the kingdom of heaven: the mustard seed, the leaven, and the weeds of the field. The kingdom is small and unimpressive, it quietly transforms from the inside out, and it patiently coexists with evil—at least for now. Pastor Nate calls us to patience, to guard against the idolatry of size, to live in quiet, leaven-like faithfulness, and to take the coming harvest seriously. And he closes with hope: the hiddenness of Jesus' kingdom is not permanent, and one day the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/what-is-the-kingdom-like-matthew-1324-43/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-FA26_Oct-1-4.pdf Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 7:32 Manny Right, Nate Wrong 17:52 1. The kingdom is small and unimpressive—at least for now. 22:17 Applications 25:22 2. The kingdom quietly transforms from the inside out—at least for now. 28:27 Applications 31:02 3. The kingdom patiently coexists with evil—at least for now. 34:02 Applications 39:17 Eternal Judgement 43:02 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy41QTQ4QTIyM0Y1RTBGMUNE
How you hear matters. In Matthew 13:1–23, Jesus tells the parable of the sower—one seed, four soils—and calls everyone with ears to hear. Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through the hardened path, the rocky ground, the thorny field, and the good soil, drawing out five ways to hear the word of the kingdom: with gratitude and prayer, above the noise, receiving the whole message, with an undivided heart, and with understanding. Along the way, Pastor Nate confronts the loudest voices of our culture, the anxiety of the age, and the quiet deceit of comfortable wealth. And he closes with hope: the Son heard and did the will of the Father for us, and from his fullness we receive grace upon grace. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/how-to-hear-the-word-of-the-kingdom-matthew-131-23/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-FA26_Sept-24-27.pdf Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 11:16 1. Hear with Gratitude and Prayer 27:02 2. Hear Above the Noise 33:05 3. Hear the Whole Message 35:11 4. Hear with Undivided Heart 39:07 5. Hear and Understand 42:09 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5CRjBFOTUzQTE4Mjg3RUJF
Jesus is either the greatest egomaniac who ever lived or the Lord worth building an entire life upon—and in Matthew 12:38–50 he leaves us no third option. When the religious leaders demand a sign from heaven, Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through the threefold answer Jesus gives: a resurrection greater than Jonah’s deliverance, a message of grace greater than Jonah’s preaching, and a life of wisdom greater than Solomon’s splendor. From there, Pastor Nate turns to two implications, one sobering and one beautiful. A life merely cleaned up but left unoccupied is a house waiting for squatters, because in the kingdom of God neutrality does not exist. And a life joined to Christ is a life welcomed into a new family, as Jesus stretches out his hand toward ordinary disciples and calls them mother, brother, and sister. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/jesus-the-only-one-worth-building-your-life-on-matthew-1238-50/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://calvary-monterey-church.squarespace.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-FA26_Sept17-20.pdf Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 7:08 1. Christ is enough, so let's be captivated by him (12:38–42) 24:48 2. Christ must fill what he cleanses, so let's be occupied by him (12:43–45) 33:13 3. Christ includes us in his family, so let's enjoy that relationship (12:46–50) 44:08 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5ENUI5OTFCQkYxNDUxQjQ3
In this Sunday message from Matthew 12:22-37, Pastor Nate Holdridge turns to the moment when Jesus—who has just called himself gentle and lowly—reveals himself as the strong warrior-King who invades enemy territory to set captives free. When Jesus heals a demon-oppressed man and the crowds wonder whether he could be the Son of David, the Pharisees credit his power to Beelzebul, and Jesus answers by showing what he does (liberate the bound by binding the strong man), how he does it (by the power of the Holy Spirit), and why he does it (to make bad trees into good trees through conversion). Pastor Nate walks through the sobering warning about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the diagnostic truth that our words expose our hearts, and the hope of the gospel: that every sin can be forgiven and that Christ himself makes us new at the root so that good fruit follows. It is an invitation to celebrate the King who plunders the house of the enemy on our behalf. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/why-is-christs-yoke-easy-matthew-121-21/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19obfZuQU9H-eaBC_c70joOXj7uVDWhIE/view?usp=drive_link Are you new to Calvary? We'd love to connect with you! https://tinyurl.com/635h6pv9 Sign up for our Calvary Connection (weekly newsletter): https://calvarymonterey.churchcenter.com/people/forms/308794 Give online: https://calvary.com/give Chapters 12:13 1. What He Does - Liberate 25:18 2. How He Does It - By The Spirit 29:23 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit 34:18 3. Why He Does It - Our Justification 39:08 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5GN0EwRkMxQTJGMTFCNDc1
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Encouraging Words

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Part 3: What Kind of King is Jesus? Long Awaited (Mark 11:8-11)

Part 3: What Kind of King is Jesus? Long Awaited (Mark 11:8-11)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJune 22, 2023
Deciding—Not Only Desiring—To Be Strong in Him (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Deciding—Not Only Desiring—To Be Strong in Him (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeNovember 1, 2023
gray stone cross on brown wooden round table
The Case for the Resurrection: Part 2 (Mark 16:1-14)

The Case for the Resurrection: Part 2 (Mark 16:1-14)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMay 30, 2024
a close up of a bunch of necklaces
What Jesus Treasures, Part 1 (Mark 12:41-44)

What Jesus Treasures, Part 1 (Mark 12:41-44)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeDecember 28, 2023
A Gospel Community Restores Others (Galatians 6:1-5)

A Gospel Community Restores Others (Galatians 6:1-5)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeApril 3, 2025
What Jesus Treasures, Part 2 (Mark 12:41-44)

What Jesus Treasures, Part 2 (Mark 12:41-44)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJanuary 4, 2024
Make Gospel Investments Into Church Leadership (Galatians 6:6-10)

Make Gospel Investments Into Church Leadership (Galatians 6:6-10)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeApril 24, 2025
sand pathway surrounding grass
The Gospel of Grace Promotes the Way of Faith (Galatians 3:10-14)

The Gospel of Grace Promotes the Way of Faith (Galatians 3:10-14)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeOctober 3, 2024
photo of clouds covering the sun
The Second Coming of Christ (Mark 13:24-27)

The Second Coming of Christ (Mark 13:24-27)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeFebruary 8, 2024
The Gospel Starts a War Within (Galatians 5:16-18)

The Gospel Starts a War Within (Galatians 5:16-18)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeFebruary 20, 2025

Podcast Episodes

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The Christian Life

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Video Message: God’s People Must Hang On to the Promise
Video Message: God’s People Must Hang On to the Promise

Video Message: God’s People Must Hang On to the Promise

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJuly 17, 2020
Garden Marriage: Applying God’s Grace To It (Mark 10:10-12)
Garden Marriage: Applying God’s Grace To It (Mark 10:10-12)

Garden Marriage: Applying God’s Grace To It (Mark 10:10-12)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMarch 23, 2023
Learn This Prayer (Psalm 119:73)
Learn This Prayer (Psalm 119:73)

Learn This Prayer (Psalm 119:73)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJanuary 29, 2020
A Guide for the Climb — Chapter 3 — Have a Vision for the Gathering (Psalm 122)
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A Guide for the Climb — Chapter 3 — Have a Vision for the Gathering (Psalm 122)

A Guide for the Climb — Chapter 3 — Have a Vision for the Gathering (Psalm 122)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJuly 4, 2019
Make Dead Friends (Romans 15:4)
Make Dead Friends (Romans 15:4)

Make Dead Friends (Romans 15:4)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeApril 3, 2019
20 Years With Jesus
green trees on gray dirt road during daytime
20 Years With Jesus

20 Years With Jesus

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeNovember 17, 2016
Christ Control (Hebrews 2:8)
Christ Control (Hebrews 2:8)

Christ Control (Hebrews 2:8)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJuly 2, 2020
A Tale Of Two Men from Ecclesiastes 10:18
A Tale Of Two Men from Ecclesiastes 10:18

A Tale Of Two Men from Ecclesiastes 10:18

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJuly 6, 2017
Maturity Profiled 11—The Mature are Patient in a Hard World—James 5:7-12
a train track with a body of water in the background
Maturity Profiled 11—The Mature are Patient in a Hard World—James 5:7-12

Maturity Profiled 11—The Mature are Patient in a Hard World—James 5:7-12

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeSeptember 8, 2024
The Struggle for Obedience, Part 4: Understand What He’s Done (Mark 6:51-52)
The Struggle for Obedience, Part 4: Understand What He’s Done (Mark 6:51-52)

The Struggle for Obedience, Part 4: Understand What He’s Done (Mark 6:51-52)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeSeptember 15, 2022

JESUS FAMOUS✱

JESUS FAMOUS✱

JESUS FAMOUS✱

JESUS FAMOUS✱

For Men

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9 Lessons From A Sabbatical
9 Lessons From A Sabbatical

9 Lessons From A Sabbatical

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeApril 17, 2018
The Cool Spirited Know What’s Up — Proverbs 17:27
The Cool Spirited Know What’s Up — Proverbs 17:27

The Cool Spirited Know What’s Up — Proverbs 17:27

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeFebruary 13, 2018
Gospel Centered Men
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Gospel Centered Men

Gospel Centered Men

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeDecember 15, 2016
Book Excerpt: Dear New Dad
a man sitting on a bed holding a baby
Book Excerpt: Dear New Dad

Book Excerpt: Dear New Dad

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeAugust 27, 2020
Clean Manger Or Abundant Crops? The Choice Is Yours. — Proverbs 14:4
Clean Manger Or Abundant Crops? The Choice Is Yours. — Proverbs 14:4

Clean Manger Or Abundant Crops? The Choice Is Yours. — Proverbs 14:4

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeFebruary 20, 2018
Metro Calvary Men (Session 2) — Strong Identity (Romans 8:12-17)
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Metro Calvary Men (Session 2) — Strong Identity (Romans 8:12-17)

Metro Calvary Men (Session 2) — Strong Identity (Romans 8:12-17)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMay 24, 2017

Resources

FOR PASTORS

My Sermon Preparation Process (for Bible Teachers)
pile of books
My Sermon Preparation Process (for Bible Teachers)

My Sermon Preparation Process (for Bible Teachers)

Learning another pastor's teaching preparation process has always edified me, so this post is for pastors who would like a glimpse into my routine. Here's a bit of what I…
Jesus Famous Podcast – Fall Update
condenser microphone with black background
Jesus Famous Podcast – Fall Update

Jesus Famous Podcast – Fall Update

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NnW9XqRz3CJwtuuRzLpTr?si=_IV661s5RL2NAADbQXD2-Q Here’s a quick update from Riley about some new stuff coming at you from the Jesus Famous Podcast. If you’re a listener to this podcast, then check it out!…
Benefits Of A Sermon Based Small Group
Benefits Of A Sermon Based Small Group

Benefits Of A Sermon Based Small Group

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Leading A Prayer Meeting
man praying
Leading A Prayer Meeting

Leading A Prayer Meeting

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The Anonymity of Pastoral Work
The Anonymity of Pastoral Work

The Anonymity of Pastoral Work

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