Open Hands, 2 of 2 from February 22, 2026

“How we receive and share gifts from God shows how whole our heart is.”

1 Chronicles 29 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores 1 Chronicles 29 to understand Neighborhood Church's value of holding God's gifts with open hands. Using King David's example of generous giving toward building God's temple, Pastor Michael explains that God's generosity toward us should spur our devotion to His work, and that how we receive and share gifts from God reveals the condition of our hearts.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 What ideas for ministry have we kept to ourselves?

• 💬 What stirs in our hearts when we think about God?

• 💬 What does our sharing tell us about the health of our soul?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 🗫 Download a Gathering Guide for this message

• 📖 Read 1 CHRONICLES 29:1-5

• 📖 Read 1 CHRONICLES 29:10-19

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Open Hands, 1 of 2 from February 15, 2026

“How we steward God's gifts show our spiritual maturity.”

Psalm 90:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 by Ryan Gagnon (@RyGagnon)

SUMMARY

This sermon launches a new series on stewardship, teaching that everything belongs to God and must be held with open hands rather than clenched fists. Drawing on the Apollo 13 story, the Pastor Ryan compares the astronauts’ use of limited resources to the church’s call to steward time and spiritual gifts for the common good, since God patiently gives time and empowers redeemed people through the Holy Spirit. Spiritual maturity is seen in how we hold and use God’s gifts for His redemptive purposes.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 How open are your hands? Where do you need to open them a bit more?

• 💬 How are you doing with time management? What role does God play in your calendar?

• 💬 How has He equipped you to reach the lost? Are you listening well?

• 💬 What experiences has He led you through that have equipped you for a special mission?

• 💬 What has this morning revealed to you about your spiritual maturity?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 🗫 Download a Gathering Guide for this message

• 📖 Read Psalm 90:1-6

• 📖 Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Hearing the Shepherd, 4 of 4 from February 1, 2026

“When Jesus is our Shepherd we can be certain of His goodness.”

Psalm 23:6 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon ends a series on Psalm 23 by showing how it speaks to everyday life, not just death. In verse 6, the Hebrew word for “follow” means to be pursued, so God’s goodness and His steadfast covenant love (chesed) are actively chasing believers. This faithful love calls us to turn from sin, live as honored guests in God’s household forever, and form daily habits of abiding in Christ, soaking in Scripture, and trusting His goodness rather than living cynically.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Have we come to God repenting of our sin?

• 💬 What blessings from God are we ignoring or overlooking?

• 💬 How are our habits here on earth preparing us to encounter Jesus’ presence in eternity?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 🗫 Download a Gathering Guide for this message

• 📖 Read Psalm 23

• 📖 Read John 17:3

• 📖 Read John 17:17

• 📖 Read John 15:4-5

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Hearing the Shepherd, 3 of 4 from January 25, 2025

“When Jesus is our Shepherd He is bold with His generous grace.”

Psalm 23:5 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon continues our series on Psalm 23, focusing on verse 5. Pastor Michael explained that this verse represents a shift from the shepherd-sheep imagery to a host welcoming an honored guest into his tent, demonstrating that God sees us as more than just sheep—we are valued guests at His table. Even though enemies surround us, we can feast confidently because Jesus has defeated death and disarmed all spiritual powers, showing His bold and generous grace toward those who follow Him.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Whose presence most occupies our attention?

• 💬 How are we embracing the honor Jesus extends to us?

• 💬 Where are the areas we resist Jesus’ grace?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 🗫 Download a Gathering Guide for this message

• 📖 Read Psalm 23

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Hearing the Shepherd, 2 of 4 from January 18, 2025

“When we follow Jesus’ direction He handles all the danger.”

Psalm 23:3-4 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon on Psalm 23 highlights its relevance for daily life, emphasizing that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us beyond comfort toward growth and purpose. True discipleship requires following His voice, even when it means leaving comfort for challenges. Pastor Michael critiques the Western focus on comfort as a destination, reminding us that rest is just a part of the journey. Jesus knows the safest paths and protects us through life's toughest moments. It's crucial to recognize His voice, trust His heart, and realize that our well-being reflects His character, as He guides us in righteousness for His glory.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Where are we “stalling out” in following Jesus?

• 💬 Do you know our Shepherd’s Word?

• 💬 Do you trust our Shepherd’s heart?

• 💬 How are we training our ears to recognize Jesus’ voice?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 📖 Read Psalm 23

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Hearing the Shepherd, 1 of 4 from January 11, 2025

“When Jesus is our shepherd we lack nothing we truly need.”

Psalm 23:1-3 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)SUMMARY

This sermon begins a four-part series on Psalm 23, urging listeners to expand their understanding beyond its common use at funerals. Pastor Michael examines who Yahweh is—the self-existent, merciful, gracious God full of steadfast love. He highlights that with Jesus as our shepherd, we truly lack nothing, although our desires are often misguided. The sermon encourages believers to assess their submission to Jesus’ control over their lives, reminding them that Christ secured our provision through His suffering (Psalm 22) and will return to establish His eternal kingdom (Psalm 24).

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Do we see ourselves in YHWH’s story or do we think He must fit into ours?

• 💬 What ways has God been providing rest for us?

• 💬 Are we refusing the abundance Jesus provides?

• 💬 Have we submitted ourselves to Jesus’ mastery over our life?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 📖 Read Psalm 23

• 📖 The name of the LORD (Exodus 3:13-14)

• 📖 The activity of the LORD (Exodus 34:6-7)

• 📖 Read Psalm 22

• 📖 Read Psalm 24

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

The Final Exam, 1 of 1 from December 28, 2025

“Our true beliefs are seen in how we live.”

2 Corinthians 13 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon concludes a year-long study of 2 Corinthians with chapter 13, where Paul urges the Corinthians to assess their faith's authenticity. It stresses that true Christian faith is shown through actions, not just words. Paul addresses the impact of manipulative teachers, defending his authority and the believers' genuine faith in Jesus. The sermon encourages testing one's faith, questioning trust in Jesus for both eternal salvation and daily living. It ends with a call for restoration, community affection, and the realization that Christ's power is evident in our weakness and reliance on Him.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Whose definition of power motivates our lives?

• 💬 Are we trusting Jesus for eternal salvation and hourly living?

• 💬 How does our relationship with other people reflect our relationship with God?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 🗃️ Outline

  • 📖 CORRECTION (2 Corinthians 13:1-4)

  • 📖 REFLECTION (2 Corinthians 13:5-9)

  • 📖 RESTORATION (2 Corinthians 13:9-14)

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions