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JESUS FAMOUS

The teaching ministry of Calvary Monterey 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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Guard the Goods (1 Timothy 1:18–20)
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Guard the Goods (1 Timothy 1:18–20)Sunday Teachings

Guard the Goods (1 Timothy 1:18–20)

January 29, 2026
Guard the Goods (1 Timothy 1:18–20). Thursday…
Chapter 11. The Upside Down Life (Matthew 5:9-16)
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Chapter 11. The Upside Down Life (Matthew 5:9-16)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

Chapter 11. The Upside Down Life (Matthew 5:9-16)

January 22, 2026
Chapter 11. The Upside Down Life (Matthew…
Chapter 10. The Upside Down Heart (Matthew 5:6-8)
a rock with a hole in the middle of it
Chapter 10. The Upside Down Heart (Matthew 5:6-8)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

Chapter 10. The Upside Down Heart (Matthew 5:6-8)

January 15, 2026
Chapter 10. The Upside Down Heart (Matthew…
Chapter 9. The Upside Down Spirit (Matthew 5:1-5)
ice-capped mountain at daytime
Chapter 9. The Upside Down Spirit (Matthew 5:1-5)Sunday TeachingsThe Promised King and His Good Kingdom

Chapter 9. The Upside Down Spirit (Matthew 5:1-5)

January 8, 2026
Chapter 9. The Upside Down Spirit (Matthew…
God’s Beautiful Interruption (1 Peter 2:9-10)
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God’s Beautiful Interruption (1 Peter 2:9-10)Sunday Teachings

God’s Beautiful Interruption (1 Peter 2:9-10)

January 4, 2026
Responding to the Light (John 1:9-13)
Glory in our Midst (John 1:14-18)
The Nativity of Christ-themed wooden Christmas ornament
Glory in our Midst (John 1:14-18)Sunday TeachingsLight in the Darkness (Advent 2025)

Glory in our Midst (John 1:14-18)

December 21, 2025
Glory in our Midst (John 1:14-18)
Jesus is God in the Flesh (John 1:14-18)
brown wooden table
Jesus is God in the Flesh (John 1:14-18)Thursday NightsLight in the Darkness (Advent 2025)

Jesus is God in the Flesh (John 1:14-18)

December 18, 2025
Jesus is God in the Flesh (John…
Responding to the Light (John 1:9-13)
green trees in forest during daytime
Responding to the Light (John 1:9-13)Sunday TeachingsLight in the Darkness (Advent 2025)

Responding to the Light (John 1:9-13)

December 11, 2025
Responding to the Light (John 1:9-13)

Video Content

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Special message from Pastor Geoff Buck this Sunday on Psalm 119. More information about Geoff's ministry at: strengtheningthechurches.com Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-SP26_Mar12-15.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 Introduce Pastor Geoff 1:11 Teaching 6:19 Examples of Radical Verses 26:21 13 Threads/Themes in Psalm 119 33:12 20 Chapters in 20 Days Announcement
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5ENEEyOTIwNkY4NzFGMkQ2
In this week's Sunday sermon from Matthew 6:7–15, Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through one of the most familiar passages in all of Scripture—the Lord's Prayer. Rather than treating it as a rote recitation, we’ll unpack it as a template for a rich, structured prayer life: compact enough to pray in a minute, expansive enough to carry a lifetime of conversation with God. Working through the two halves of the prayer, we explore what it means to begin with the Father's honor, rule, and will before turning to our own needs for provision, forgiveness, and daily leadership. If your prayer life has grown mechanical, rushed, or shallow, this message is an invitation back to the closet and back to the Father who is already waiting. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/chapter-16-upside-down-prayer-matthew-6-7-15/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://www.calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-SP26_Mar5-8.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 Reading Scripture 12:30 1. Pray for His Honor, Rule, and Will 12:45 Honor 19:05 Rule 21:35 Will 25:10 2. Pray for His Provision, Forgiveness, and Leadership 25:20 Provision 28:50 Forgiveness 34:55 Leadership 39:25 Concluding Applications 40:59 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy4wRkVBNUY4OTkzN0JCNTA2
In this sermon from Matthew 6:1-18, Pastor Nate Holdridge walks through Jesus' warning against performative religion — the danger of doing the right things for the wrong audience. Jesus gives three illustrations of this temptation: giving to the poor with a trumpet blast, praying on street corners for maximum visibility, and fasting with a disfigured face designed to advertise spiritual discipline. In each case, Jesus contrasts the hypocrite who has already been "paid in full" with human applause against the disciple who practices righteousness in secret before a Father who sees, knows, and rewards. Pastor Nate shows how the Fatherhood of God — mentioned ten times in this passage — is the controlling center that transforms our motivations, turning us from an audience of peers to an audience of One. This teaching includes practical guidance on biblical fasting, an honest look at why the contemporary church has been slow to teach on fasting, and a call for every believer to embrace the secret life of faith that Jesus assumes of all His followers. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/chapter-15-the-upside-down-spiritual-life-matthew-6-1-18/ Link to Discussion Questions: https://calvary.com/s/LG-Discussion-Questions-SP26_Feb19-22.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 11:00 Main Point: The Fatherhood of God is our Controlling Center (6:1) 15:25 A biblical hierarchy of motivation: 17:00 1. We Serve Others For Our Father (6:2-4) 23:25 What reward do we get from our Father for secretly serving others? 25:10 2. We Pray to Our Father (6:5-15) 33:45 What reward do we get from our Father for secretly praying to him? 34:45 3. We Practice Spiritual Disciplines Before Our Father (6:16-18) 39:24 What reward do we get from our Father for secretly practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting? 44:03 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy44NjIxNjc5OUQwQkJBODQ5
In this week's sermon from Calvary Monterey's ongoing series through the Gospel of Matthew, Nate Holdridge walks through the final three of Jesus' six antitheses in Matthew 5:33–48 — the passage on oaths, retaliation, and enemy love. Under the title "The Upside Down Life With Others," Nate shows how Jesus was not abolishing the Old Testament but driving his listeners past the letter of the law to its deepest intention: a community of people so anchored in God that their trustworthiness needs no oath to confirm it, their security needs no retaliation to protect it, and their love needs no worthy recipient to motivate it. The sermon unpacks what it means to be radically trustworthy, radically surprising, and radically loving — and lands on the stunning closing command of Matthew 5, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," not as a burden but as an invitation to fix our eyes on the One who fulfilled every word of it on our behalf. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/chapter-13-upside-down-interior-life-matthew-5-21-32/ 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 6:01 1. Radically Trustworthy 18:41 2. Radically Surprising 30:41 3. Radically Loving 42:00 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy43RDg3MzJDMTRFMTZFOTAw
In this teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Nate Holdridge explores Matthew 5:21-32, where Jesus begins to reveal the radical, internal transformation He desires for His people. By addressing the root issues of anger, lust, and marital unfaithfulness, Nate shows how Jesus moves beyond external religious checklists to claim authority over our interior lives. We see that the Kingdom of Heaven isn't just about avoiding murder or adultery; it’s about a radical devotion to reconciliation, a commitment to sexual purity, and a high esteem for the marriage covenant. Join us as we learn how Jesus’ "upside down" ethics provide a protective shield for the vulnerable and lead us toward a life of true flourishing grounded in the Gospel. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/chapter-13-upside-down-interior-life-matthew-5-21-32/ 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 Pre-Service & Countdown 6:18 Worship 26:58 Gratitude & Prayer 27:58 Announcements & Great Your Neighbor 34:33 Teaching 1:23:00 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5BNzdEQzY0REQzQTEyN0U3
In this sermon from Matthew 5:17–20, Pastor Nate Holdridge examines one of Jesus' most striking claims: that He came not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. Walking through each verse, we’ll consider how Jesus is the destination of the entire biblical story—the One every sacrifice, prophecy, and promise was pointing toward. We’ll think about why the Old Testament still carries divine weight for believers today, how Jesus defines true greatness as living and teaching by Scripture, and why the impossible standard of righteousness that exceeds the Pharisees is actually an invitation to receive what only Christ can produce in us. This message is part of the ongoing series through Matthew called "The Promised King and His Good Kingdom," currently in part two: "The Upside Down Kingdom Arrives." Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/chapter-12-the-upside-down-bible-matthew-5-17-20/ 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 Life Groups & Thursday Night Church Mention 2:44 Book of Matthew Overview 4:29 Reading Scripture 17:49 1. Jesus Christ is the destination of the Scriptural story (5:17) 25:29 2. He affirms that the whole story carries divine weight (5:18) 32:14 3. He defines greatness as living by the words of that story (5:19) 38:40 4. He can bring us into the story by transforming us from within (5:20)
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy5EODgyNjY4MzA3QzY5RTkx
You're invited to join us as we worship Jesus through worshipful music, Bible teaching, receiving communion, and giving to God! 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
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy4wN0FBRUVFNEVBMTZBQ0Mx
Special message from Pastor Rob Salvato from Calvary Vista on Proverbs 3:5-6. 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
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy4zNDIxRUJGQThFRTg1QzAy
In this Sunday sermon from Matthew 5:9-16, Pastor Nate Holdridge explores what it means to live "The Upside Down Life" as citizens of Christ's kingdom. Drawing from the final beatitudes and Jesus' powerful declarations about salt and light, we’ll examine four key aspects of Christian identity: imitating God as peacemakers, standing with the prophets through persecution, functioning as salt that preserves and flavors the world, and shining as light that cannot be hidden. Using examples from Abigail's peacemaking efforts and Jeremiah's suffering, this message challenges believers to embrace the central call of the Christian life—to simply be who we already are in Christ. Link to Sermon Notes: https://jesusfamous.com/blog/chapter-11-the-upside-down-life-matthew-5-9-16/ 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 01:27 Reading Scripture 8:27 1. Children of God 17:27 2. In the Line of the Great Prophets of Old 25:27 3. The Salt of the Earth 30:22 4. The Light of the World 35:28 Closing Prayer & Communion
YouTube Video UExsOThaNnZKRlk0cmN1c2JFcE5IX0ViZFFWRjJ3MnJwVy4yOTZGRTNEQ0ZGNUM5RDgw
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Encouraging Words

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

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

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJanuary 4, 2024
A Gospel Community is Responsible for Themselves (Galatians 6:1-5)

A Gospel Community is Responsible for Themselves (Galatians 6:1-5)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeApril 17, 2025
A Lesson on Servanthood (Mark 10:41-45)

A Lesson on Servanthood (Mark 10:41-45)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMay 25, 2023
photo of valley
The Millennial Reign: Part 1 (Mark 13:24-37 & Rev. 20:1-6)

The Millennial Reign: Part 1 (Mark 13:24-37 & Rev. 20:1-6)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeFebruary 15, 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
The Millennial Reign: Part 2 (Mark 13:24-37 & Rev. 20:1-6)

The Millennial Reign: Part 2 (Mark 13:24-37 & Rev. 20:1-6)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeFebruary 22, 2024
The New Passover Meal (Mark 14:12-25)

The New Passover Meal (Mark 14:12-25)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMarch 7, 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
blue eye photo
Jesus Sees (Revelation 2:9)

Jesus Sees (Revelation 2:9)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeApril 26, 2023
Concluding Galatians (Galatians 6:11-18)

Concluding Galatians (Galatians 6:11-18)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMay 8, 2025

Podcast Episodes

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Featured Headlines

The Christian Life

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Blind Beggar Turned Disciple (Mark 10:46-52)
Blind Beggar Turned Disciple (Mark 10:46-52)

Blind Beggar Turned Disciple (Mark 10:46-52)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJune 1, 2023
Resist The Complexors (2 Corinthians 11:3)
Resist The Complexors (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Resist The Complexors (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJune 4, 2019
A Gospel-Aligned Life Is Totally Identified with Christ (Galatians 2:20a)
person holding pile of books near face
A Gospel-Aligned Life Is Totally Identified with Christ (Galatians 2:20a)

A Gospel-Aligned Life Is Totally Identified with Christ (Galatians 2:20a)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeAugust 29, 2024
3 (More) Reasons Jesus Was Crucified (Mark 15:16-47)
brown wooden cross against wall
3 (More) Reasons Jesus Was Crucified (Mark 15:16-47)

3 (More) Reasons Jesus Was Crucified (Mark 15:16-47)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMay 16, 2024
United In Marriage — Husband, Sacrificially Love (Ephesians 5:25)
groom beside bride holding bouquet flowers
United In Marriage — Husband, Sacrificially Love (Ephesians 5:25)

United In Marriage — Husband, Sacrificially Love (Ephesians 5:25)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJanuary 11, 2019
What We Were: Under Wrath, Ephesians 2:3
lightning struck on Forrest
What We Were: Under Wrath, Ephesians 2:3

What We Were: Under Wrath, Ephesians 2:3

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeApril 19, 2018
Revolution of the Heart, Part 1: Cleanness Does Not Come by Human Effort (Mark 7:1–5)
Revolution of the Heart, Part 1: Cleanness Does Not Come by Human Effort (Mark 7:1–5)

Revolution of the Heart, Part 1: Cleanness Does Not Come by Human Effort (Mark 7:1–5)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeSeptember 23, 2022
Glorious King Jesus (Revelaton 1:12)
Glorious King Jesus (Revelaton 1:12)

Glorious King Jesus (Revelaton 1:12)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJune 27, 2019
Video Message: Living the Great Life
Video Message: Living the Great Life

Video Message: Living the Great Life

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeSeptember 4, 2020
When Work Goes Sideways (Genesis 11:4)
When Work Goes Sideways (Genesis 11:4)

When Work Goes Sideways (Genesis 11:4)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeNovember 5, 2020

JESUS FAMOUS✱

JESUS FAMOUS✱

JESUS FAMOUS✱

JESUS FAMOUS✱

For Men

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Get Connected to Newness of Life! (Romans 6:1-4)
Get Connected to Newness of Life! (Romans 6:1-4)

Get Connected to Newness of Life! (Romans 6:1-4)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeJune 12, 2018
The New You: Truthful And Free Of Anger (Ephesians 4:25-27)
grayscale portrait photo of man
The New You: Truthful And Free Of Anger (Ephesians 4:25-27)

The New You: Truthful And Free Of Anger (Ephesians 4:25-27)

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeNovember 2, 2018
Joshua’s Little Spoken Of Preparation — Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Joshua’s Little Spoken Of Preparation — Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Joshua’s Little Spoken Of Preparation — Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeFebruary 6, 2018
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
Book Excerpt: No-Nonsense Biblical Man
Book Excerpt: No-Nonsense Biblical Man

Book Excerpt: No-Nonsense Biblical Man

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeSeptember 24, 2020
Intoxication Hurts People, Proverbs 20:1
Intoxication Hurts People, Proverbs 20:1

Intoxication Hurts People, Proverbs 20:1

Nate HoldridgeNate HoldridgeMarch 20, 2018

Sermon Notes from
Nate Holdridge & The Jesus Famous Team

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Psalm 20—Your Kingdom Come
open book on top of desk
Psalm 20—Your Kingdom Come

Psalm 20—Your Kingdom Come

Sunday Sermon: Psalm 20—Your Kingdom Come
September 3, 2023
Exodus 12-13
white book page beside black click pen on brown wooden table
Exodus 12-13

Exodus 12-13

Hey, Calvary family. Thanks for joining us…
February 17, 2021
Exile One — 1 Peter 1:1-2 – The Grace Of Exile #1
open book on top of desk
Exile One — 1 Peter 1:1-2 – The Grace Of Exile #1

Exile One — 1 Peter 1:1-2 – The Grace Of Exile #1

# 01 Exile One -- 1 Peter…
April 18, 2021
Genesis 44-46
white book page beside black click pen on brown wooden table
Genesis 44-46

Genesis 44-46

Welcome to our Tuesday Night Church Through…
October 21, 2020

Resources

FOR PASTORS

6 Attributes Of Good Leaders — Proverbs 16:10-15
6 Attributes Of Good Leaders — Proverbs 16:10-15

6 Attributes Of Good Leaders — Proverbs 16:10-15

One of the main reasons I love the book of Proverbs is the scattered nature of its organization. For much of the book, one line does not bleed into the…
7 Ways Modern Church Leadership Can Walk By Faith
cathedral interior
7 Ways Modern Church Leadership Can Walk By Faith

7 Ways Modern Church Leadership Can Walk By Faith

It would have been awesome to have been part of the first church. But instead, I was born in 1978. Still, in my mind, I am part of that first…
When Plans Magically Come Together — Proverbs-16:1
When Plans Magically Come Together — Proverbs-16:1

When Plans Magically Come Together — Proverbs-16:1

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Easter Tips For Pastors
sun rays inside cave
Easter Tips For Pastors

Easter Tips For Pastors

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The Maximal Functionality Of The Church (Ephesians 4:13-16)
two men holding ear others hand
The Maximal Functionality Of The Church (Ephesians 4:13-16)

The Maximal Functionality Of The Church (Ephesians 4:13-16)

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