Jesus Is the Friend of Sinners, Part 2 (Mark 2:13–17) — His Kingdom Is for Sinners
Now, the day of salvation in your life should be a day of celebration, and that's how Levi saw things. He invited Jesus to his house and invited his friends,…
Nate HoldridgeApril 13, 2022
Groaning for Resurrection (Romans 8:18-25)
Nearly 2,000 years ago, on a Sunday morning a couple of days removed from the Passover, in Israel, a group of women went to a tomb. Their beloved teacher, leader,…
Nate HoldridgeApril 11, 2022
Mark 11:1-26—God Renews His People By Coming For Us
Palm Sunday Sermon: Mark 11:1-26—God Renews His People By Coming For Us
Nate HoldridgeApril 10, 2022
Jesus Is the Friend of Sinners, Part 1 (Mark 2:13–17) – He Calls People Like Levi
The first time Jesus spoke in Mark's gospel, he said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).…
Nate HoldridgeApril 6, 2022
Nehemiah 13—God Renews His People On An Ongoing Basis
Sunday Sermon: Nehemiah 13—God Renews His People On An Ongoing Basis
Nate HoldridgeApril 3, 2022
Jesus Fills Our True Need (Mark 2:1-12)
The story pivots us from the introductory days of Jesus' ministry to the controversial ones. We know Jesus wasn't popular with all people at all times—he was, after all, crucified.…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 30, 2022
Nehemiah 11-12—God Renews His People With Joyful Dedication
Sunday Teaching: Nehemiah 11-12—God Renews His People With Joyful Dedication
Nate HoldridgeMarch 27, 2022
Jesus Has Authority Over All Spiritual Uncleanness (Mark 1:35-45)
Mark doesn't refer often to Jesus' prayer life, but when he does Jesus is alone, and his ministry is in the balance. In the garden of Gethsemane, Mark presents Jesus…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 23, 2022
Nehemiah 10—God Renews His People With A Path To Flourishing
Sunday Sermon: Nehemiah 9—God Restores His People By Reminding Them Of Their Story
Nate HoldridgeMarch 20, 2022
Jesus Has Authority Over All Natural Brokenness (Mark 1:29-34)
On the same day he taught in the synagogue and delivered the man with the unclean spirit, Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 16, 2022
Jesus Has Authority Over All Invisible Forces (Mark 1:21-28)
Every person has guides who help them navigate life. All of us have authoritative voices that help us decide how to live. What the disciples of Jesus would quickly begin…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 9, 2022
Jesus Famous Men #2: They Are Being Restored By Christ
Jesus Famous Men Are Being Restored By Christ
Nate HoldridgeMarch 7, 2022
Nehemiah 9—God Restores His People By Reminding Them Of Their Story
Sunday Sermon: Nehemiah 9—God Restores His People By Reminding Them Of Their Story
Nate HoldridgeMarch 6, 2022
You Are Called to Be His Disciple (Mark 1:16-20)
Now we come to the location which the first half of Mark's book centers around, the Sea of Galilee. In those days, and sometimes in the Bible, it was also…
Nate HoldridgeMarch 2, 2022
Steward God’s Gift (1 Peter 4:10)
According to Peter, everyone with a gift in the church has something to offer the others in the church. This is particularly impressive when you think of the original recipients…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 24, 2022
His Message: Jesus Is the King of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15)
With the beginning of Jesus' preaching ministry, we have a conclusion, of sorts, to Mark's introduction. He had said, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 23, 2022
Nehemiah 8—God Renews His People With The Word
Sunday Teaching: Nehemiah 8—God Renews His People With The Word
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 20, 2022
His Mission: Jesus Is the Champion Who Delivers His People (Mark 1:12-13)
Mark does not include robust detail about Jesus' time of temptation in the wilderness. Matthew and Luke record three direct temptations from Satan, along with Jesus' scriptural rebuttals to each.…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 16, 2022
Nehemiah 6:1-7:4—God Renews His People By Helping Them Endure
Nehemiah 6:1-7:4—God Renews His People By Helping Them Endure
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 13, 2022
His Introduction: Jesus Is God Breaking Through (Mark 1:9-11)
After setting the stage and telling us about John the Baptist, Mark immediately takes us to the inauguration of Jesus' earthly ministry. (6 Minutes/1600 Words)
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 9, 2022
Jesus Famous Men #1: They Love God Because He First Loved Them
The first question we should ask is this: why study? Why take time out of our busy lives to think about, meditate on, contemplate, and digest a study of God's…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 7, 2022
Nehemiah 5—God Renews His People By Confronting Us
Sunday Sermon: Nehemiah 5—God Renews His People By Confronting Us
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 6, 2022
Fine Print? (Exodus 34:7)
Like the burning bush that kicked off the whole thing, an unquenchable fire blazed within Moses. He wanted to see God. In unparalleled wisdom, he was certain no amount of…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 3, 2022
Jesus Inaugurated the Age of the Spirit (Mark 1:8)
The prophets of old had predicted a day would come when the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon God's people, forming a new and special relationship never before seen…
Nate HoldridgeFebruary 2, 2022
Nehemiah 4—God Renews His People by Helping Us Face Opposition
Sunday Sermon: Nehemiah 4—God Renews His People by Helping Us With the Opposition
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 30, 2022
Jesus Is the Culmination of God’s Plan (Mark 1:5-7)
Mark uses what most assume to be hyperbole to describe John's popularity. He said, “All the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 26, 2022
Nehemiah 3—God Renews His People By Inviting Them Into The Work
Sunday Teaching: Nehemiah 3—God Renews His People By Inviting Them Into The Work
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 23, 2022
Jesus Is the King We Should Follow (Mark 1:2-4)
Mark rarely quotes from the Old Testament Scriptures. When he does quote them, it is only the characters of the particular episode -- usually Jesus -- quoting them. (3 Minutes/800…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 19, 2022
Nehemiah 2—God Renews His People By Awakening Hope
Sunday Teaching: Nehemiah 2—God Renews His People By Awakening Hope
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 16, 2022
20 Practices That Will Help You Serve Jesus for a Long Time
In this article, I want to consider 20 practices that will help you serve Jesus for a long time -- and I think I mean "a long time in one…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 13, 2022
Jesus Is Good News (Mark 1:1)
Right away, with his first words, Mark shows us his hand concerning Jesus. He tells us what he thinks of Christ. He is **the Son of God**. All through the…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 12, 2022
Nehemiah 1—God Renews His People By Sharing His Burden
Sermon Notes: Nehemiah 1—God Renews His People By Sharing His Burden
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 9, 2022
Calvary Monterey Growth Nights
Calvary Monterey is starting a new monthly ministry in 2022 called Growth Nights. This night will provide us a chance to dive deeper into church-wide fellowship and intentional spiritual development.…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 6, 2022
Mark: An Introduction
The study of Mark, or any other of the gospels in the New Testament, should lead us beyond mere learning or curiosity. We should not approach them as a way…
Nate HoldridgeJanuary 5, 2022
2022 Preview
I pray you've just enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and are feeling refreshed as you prepare for all that lies ahead in 2022. Whether you are part of Calvary Monterey or…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 30, 2021
The First Christmas
As we stand on the precipice of a new year, we are bound to look back upon our current one. We might discover darkness and difficulty, pain and agony. We…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 21, 2021
Hebrews 1:1-4—God Spoke By The Son—Christmas Sunday
Hebrews 1:1-4—God Spoke By The Son—Christmas Sunday
Nate HoldridgeDecember 19, 2021
What Does The Magnificat Say About Us?
Last week we considered what the Magnificat says about God. The previous week we thought about what the song said about Mary. Today, we will set our minds upon what…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 14, 2021
What Does The Magnificat Say About God?
Last week we thought about what the Magnificat, Mary's song in response to Elizabeth's greeting, said about Mary. Our next question is: *What does the song say about God? (5…
Nate HoldridgeDecember 7, 2021
Exile Grace – 1 Peter 5:10-14 – The Grace of Exile #27
Exile Grace - 1 Peter 5:10-14 - The Grace of Exile #27
Nate HoldridgeDecember 5, 2021
What Does the Magnificat Say About Mary?
Allow me to introduce you to a much better Christmas song than any modern artist could compose. In the early chapters of Luke, three songs were sung. Simeon sang the…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 30, 2021
The Life of David: Loving Your Enemies (1 Samuel 24)
Jesus taught hard, radical things. During his sermon on the mount, he said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” (Matthew…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 29, 2021
Exile Resistance – 1 Peter 5:8-9 – The Grace of Exile #26
Exile Resistance - 1 Peter 5:8-9 - The Grace of Exile #26
Nate HoldridgeNovember 28, 2021
Non-Digital Friendships (Proverbs 27:10)
The Proverbs were written in a bygone era, a time many millennia before our modern age. Our social advancements and media, our technologies, were beyond any of their dreams. But…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 22, 2021
2022 Pastoral Encouragement Group (for Pastors)
I am looking for 6-10 good men/pastors who would like to be part of a pastoral encouragement group in 2022. The past couple of years have presented unique challenges to…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 19, 2021
Leviticus 26-27
We now enter our final study of the Book of Leviticus with chapter 26 and chapter 27.
Nate HoldridgeNovember 17, 2021
Two Ways: Choose One (Psalm 1)
One of the most well-known lines of American poetry came from the pen of Robert Frost, in his poem "The Road Not Taken." He wrote: I think many love the…
Nate HoldridgeNovember 15, 2021