Calvary Monterey Podcast

Title: Gospel InvestmentsSpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Galatians 6:6-10Galatians Theme: Galatians describes a life that is free. It is a life in flight. If we cling to the true gospel, if we accept it for what it is, we can fly. But Paul wrote Galatians because the Galatian believers—and all future believers—were in danger. If we adulterate the gospel, if we add to it in any way, we will not fly. Like a bird chained in a birdcage, we will (at best) hinder ourselves from flying into God's ideal for our lives or (at worst) hinder ourselves and others from true salvation.Overview:All this might feel overwhelming. If it does, I will remind you that Paul said we should display this care and generosity and goodness towards others as we have opportunity (10). We aren't to become overburdened and overwhelmed by Jesus' yoke.But I would also offer you the same encouragement Paul gave the Galatians: Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up (9). Weariness comes upon everyone who commits to a life filled with good works toward others. It can be painful to sacrifice, and sometimes your sacrifices will be taken for granted, and this leads to weariness. Sometimes it is your body that is weary, while at other times, it is your spirit and soul—but often, your whole person is fatigued.Links:Sermon NotesDiscussion Questions

Title: Gospel CommunitySpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Galatians 6:1-5Galatians Theme: Galatians describes a life that is free. It is a life in flight. If we cling to the true gospel, if we accept it for what it is, we can fly. But Paul wrote Galatians because the Galatian believers—and all future believers—were in danger. If we adulterate the gospel, if we add to it in any way, we will not fly. Like a bird chained in a birdcage, we will (at best) hinder ourselves from flying into God's ideal for our lives or (at worst) hinder ourselves and others from true salvation.Overview:And all this burden-bearing and gentle restoration is only possible in a gospel church. Without the cross, we are fossilized into an environment and culture of legalistic human effort. This leads to an unwillingness to help others, along with an allergy to vulnerable transparency. Soon, the very community that should have loved and saved and healed and lifted burdens like Jesus did becomes a burden in itself. So we must keep our focus on Jesus and his wonderful cross so that we can be a blessing on others' journeys and be blessed on our own.Links:Sermon NotesDiscussion Questions

A message from Chesli Manzo at our Women's Gathering as we continue our character studies of different women in the Bible. Today we talk about Mary Magdalene.

Title: Jesus Builds Strong ChurchesSpeaker: Riley ManzoText: Romans 15:1-7Links:Life Group Discussion Questions

Title: Gospel DestinationSpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Galatians 5:22-26Galatians Theme: Galatians describes a life that is free. It is a life in flight. If we cling to the true gospel, if we accept it for what it is, we can fly. But Paul wrote Galatians because the Galatian believers—and all future believers—were in danger. If we adulterate the gospel, if we add to it in any way, we will not fly. Like a bird chained in a birdcage, we will (at best) hinder ourselves from flying into God's ideal for our lives or (at worst) hinder ourselves and others from true salvation.Overview: So what is the foundation of our growth? First, our identity. We belong to Jesus. Second, our continued commitment to growth. We want to kill the flesh. And third, we feed the Spirit. We want to put up our sails to catch his pneumatic power to carry us along into Christlikeness.Links:Sermon NotesDiscussion Questions

Title: Gospel RescueSpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Galatians 5:19-21Galatians Theme: Galatians describes a life that is free. It is a life in flight. If we cling to the true gospel, if we accept it for what it is, we can fly. But Paul wrote Galatians because the Galatian believers—and all future believers—were in danger. If we adulterate the gospel, if we add to it in any way, we will not fly. Like a bird chained in a birdcage, we will (at best) hinder ourselves from flying into God's ideal for our lives or (at worst) hinder ourselves and others from true salvation.Overview: In our next study of Galatians, we will think about how walking in the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit. As God's Spirit transforms us to look more like Jesus, these works of the flesh are overcome. But my hope—and I think Paul's hope—is that we would see this passage today as insight into what God is in the continual process of rescuing us from. He does not reach us only to abandon us. He saves us and then sanctifies us. He rescues us by the cross and then reforms us by his Spirit.Links:Sermon NotesDiscussion Questions

Title: Agape Night 03Speaker: Nate HoldridgeText: John 14

Title: Easter Sunday 2023—Dead & AliveSpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Romans 6:8-11Links:Life Group Discussion QuestionsSermon Notes

Title: The Gospel Starts A War WithinSpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Galatians 5:16-18Galatians Theme: Galatians describes a life that is free. It is a life in flight. If we cling to the true gospel, if we accept it for what it is, we can fly. But Paul wrote Galatians because the Galatian believers—and all future believers—were in danger. If we adulterate the gospel, if we add to it in any way, we will not fly. Like a bird chained in a birdcage, we will (at best) hinder ourselves from flying into God's ideal for our lives or (at worst) hinder ourselves and others from true salvation.Overview: In the Old Testament, Samson was uniquely empowered by God's Spirit. Set apart by God from his birth, he became a heroic deliverer of God's people. But for as strong the Spirit was in Samson's life, he always battled with the desires of the flesh. It all culminated for him in a relationship with a forbidden woman named Delilah. She enticed him day after day in an attempt to find the secret of his strength, all with the intention of reporting it directly to Israel's enemies. For a while, Samson danced around the truth. But one day, he caved, told her the secret to his strength, gave himself completely to her, and was captured.Links:Sermon NotesDiscussion Questions

Title: Run In Gospel GraceSpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Galatians 5:7-15Galatians Theme: Galatians describes a life that is free. It is a life in flight. If we cling to the true gospel, if we accept it for what it is, we can fly. But Paul wrote Galatians because the Galatian believers—and all future believers—were in danger. If we adulterate the gospel, if we add to it in any way, we will not fly. Like a bird chained in a birdcage, we will (at best) hinder ourselves from flying into God's ideal for our lives or (at worst) hinder ourselves and others from true salvation.Overview: Paul was confident that God would help these Galatians run again in grace. He said, "I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view" (10). He believed God would work on their behalf and get them back on course, running the race of grace. He had the same attitude towards them that he had about the Philippians:Links:Sermon NotesDiscussion Questions