Neighborhood Church Ocala Sermons Podcast

What We Believe, 4 of 11 from July 13th, 2025

"Who do you say Jesus is?"

Christology by Tyler Hoffler

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the fundamental question Jesus asked his disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" It delves into the nature of Christ, examining His preeminence, incarnation, hypostatic union, substitutionary atonement, resurrection, and second coming. Tyler emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus' identity as both fully God and fully man, and how this impacts our faith and daily lives. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their personal answer to Jesus' question and how it affects their beliefs and actions.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Who do you say that Jesus is?

• 💬 Do you have a Christ-centered view of Scripture?

• 💬 Is your view of Jesus biblically accurate?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

What We Believe, 3 of 11 from July 6th, 2025

"We can love God even though we cannot understand him."

The One True God by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the nature of God as revealed in Scripture, particularly focusing on His holiness, self-existence, and triune nature. Pastor Michael emphasizes that while God is incomprehensible in His fullness, He desires to be known and loved by His creation. The sermon bridges the gap between God's transcendence and His immanence, highlighting His attributes of mercy, grace, and faithfulness. It concludes by discussing the Trinity and the importance of responding to God's revelation with worship and surrender.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 What comes to mind when we imagine God?

• 💬 How do we describe God’s heart towards us?

• 💬 What is our response to God’s “be”-ing and saving actions for us?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 📖 Exodus 3

• 📖 Exodus 34: 4-8

• 📖 John 3:1-15

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

What We Believe, 2 of 11 from June 29th, 2025

"We know God and live for Him by practicing what He has written."

The Bible by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the nature, authority, and interpretation of the Bible as God's Word. It emphasizes that the Bible is God's chosen method of communication with humanity, containing diverse writings that reveal His character and actions throughout history. Pastor Michael stresses the importance of trusting, studying, and applying Scripture in our lives, guided by the Holy Spirit, to know God and live for Him.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 How does our relationship with the Bible reflect our relationship with God?

• 💬 How do our habits in the Word reflect gratitude for the work others have done to bring it to us?

• 💬 What doubts prevent us from looking to God’s Word for guidance?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message 

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 📖 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• 📖 2 Peter 1:21

• 📖 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

• 📖 2 Peter 1:3-4

Additional Articles

• How and when was the canon of the Bible put together? Got Questions

• Tony Watkins Why do our Bibles contain these books and not others? Tyndale House.

• Kruger, Michael J. ‘The Biblical Canon’. The Gospel Coalition.

• Meade, John D. ‘Did Nicaea Really Create the Bible?’ Text and Canon Institute (2021).

• Meade, John D. ‘Why Are Protestant and Catholic Bibles Different?’ Text and Canon Institute (2021).

Additional Videos

• English Bible Translations Family Tree Video Explanation

• Licona, Mike. ‘How the Canon of the Bible Was Formed’ (2017).

• The Gospel Coalition. ‘Why You Can Rely On the Canon’  – interview with Michael Kruger (2014)

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

What We Believe, 1 of 11 from June 22nd, 2025

"God makes it possible for us to truly know Him."

Introduction by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon introduces a series on theology, emphasizing that everyone is a theologian because we all have thoughts about God. Pastor Michael stresses the importance of accurate theology in fostering a genuine relationship with God and living a purposeful Christian life. He explains different approaches to theology and highlights that God makes it possible for us to truly know Him through His revelation.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 What is an area of thought about God you know you should grow in?

• 💬 How might our neighbors grow if our theology gets more healthy?

• 💬 Who has been shaping our theology?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Giving Grace, 4 of 4 from June 15th, 2025

"God uses our hands to bring blessings when we open them to him."

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the Biblical principles of giving, emphasizing that Christian giving is not about obligation but about grateful, cheerful, and generous gifts according to God's purposes. Pastor Michael highlights that God uses our hands to bring blessings when we open them to Him, and that giving has benefits both for the giver and the receiver. The sermon stresses that all we have comes from God, and our giving should reflect our gratitude and submission to Christ's gospel.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 What needs do we need to share?

• 💬 What do we expect to harvest from how we have given in the past?

• 💬 How are we partnering with Jesus to introduce your neighbors to Him and inviting your neighbors to follow Him?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-14

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Giving Grace, 3 of 4 from June 8th, 2025

"Giving is designed to improve the overall health of the entire body."

2 Corinthians 8:10-15  by Ryan Gagnon (@RyGagnon)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the importance of transparent and accountable giving procedures within the church. It emphasizes that proper handling of finances not only honors Jesus but also encourages the body of believers. Pastor Ryan highlights the need for trusted individuals to administer church finances, proactive communication about giving, and the importance of planning in advance. He  connects these practical aspects of giving to the larger spiritual context of following Jesus and participating in His mission.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 What have you intended to do but you've allowed life to get in the way? How has God been speaking to you about this?

• 💬 How is your personal stewardship of God's blessing in your life going? What if anything needs to change?

• 💬 Do you know the why, how and plan of giving at Neighborhood? If not what's stopping you?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Giving Grace, 2 of 4 from June 1st, 2025

"Giving is designed to improve the overall health of the entire body."

2 Corinthians 8:10-15 by Ryan Gagnon (@RyGagnon)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the biblical concept of giving as a means to improve the overall health of the church body. It emphasizes that giving is not just about money, but also about time, talents, and resources. Pastor Ryan highlights how giving grows our discipline, teaches personal stewardship, and reflects God's economy of abundance. The sermon encourages Jesus-followers to move beyond intentions to actions, trust God's provision, and participate in His work of blessing others.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 What have you intended to do but you’ve allowed life to get in the way? How has God been speaking to you about this?

• 💬 How is your personal stewardship of God’s blessing in your life going? What if anything needs to change?

• 💬 How have you cared for the body in the past week? If you have a need are you communicating that need?

• 💬 How healthy is the body of Neighborhood Church?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

• 📖 The widow's gift (Mark 12:41-44)

• 📖 God providing bread from the sky (Exodus 16:1-18)

• 📎 God speaks light into existence (Genesis 1:3)

• 📎 God sets boundaries for the ocean (Job 38:11) or (Psalm 104:9)

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Giving Grace, 1 of 4 from May 25th, 2025

"When we have received it, we share God’s gracious generosity."

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 by by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the concept of Christian giving, emphasizing that it's not just about money but about the grace of God manifested through generosity. Pastor Michael explains how the Macedonian churches, despite their severe affliction and poverty, displayed abundant joy and generosity. He highlights that true Christian giving stems from first giving oneself to God, then to others, following Christ's example of sacrificial love.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Whose priorities shape our spending habits?

• 💬 How are we giving ourselves to God first?

• 💬 How does God’s richness towards us change how we see our thrift towards others?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

• 📖 Background on relief offering (1 Corinthians 16:1-6)

• 📖 Famine around Jerusalem (Acts 11:28)

• 📖 Story of faith in Macedoina (Acts 16-17)

• 📖 Jesus’ teaching on money & our heart (Matthew 6:21 & 24)

• 📖 Jesus’ example of generous love (Philippians 2:6-8)

• 📖 God’s demonstration of love (Romans 5:8)

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Tripping Hazard, 3 of 3 from May 18th, 2025

"Treating leaders as if they are sus (suspect) will be the tool we use (and the Enemy helps to create) to make our very own tripping hazards."

2 Corinthians 7:2-16 by Matthew Wheelock (@matthew.wheelock.31)

SUMMARY

This sermon explores the concept of spiritual tripping hazards, focusing on how believers can avoid stumbling in their faith journey. Pastor Matt Wheelock emphasizes the importance of trusting godly leadership, embracing correction, and maintaining strong relationships within the church community. He contrasts godly grief (conviction) with worldly grief (guilt), encouraging listeners to respond to spiritual guidance with repentance and positive change rather than remaining weighed down by past mistakes.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 Paul mentions 'godly grief' that leads to repentance. How is this different from worldly guilt, and how can we distinguish between the two in our own lives?

• 💬 Pastor Matt emphasized the importance of community in spiritual growth. In what ways might 'doing life alone' hinder our walk with Christ?

• 💬 Paul rejoices in the Corinthians' response to his correction. How can we cultivate a heart that is receptive to spiritual feedback, even when it's uncomfortable?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

LINKS

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions

Tripping Hazards, 2 of 3 from May 11th, 2025

"We get tripped up when we blend lesser loves with Jesus."

2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4 by Michael Lockstampfor (@miklocks)

SUMMARY

This sermon warns against the "tripping hazard" of blending Jesus with lesser loves or idols. Using 2 Corinthians 6, Pastor Michael emphasizes the importance of fully surrendering to Christ and not allowing anything to take God's place in our lives. The sermon concludes with a call to repentance and putting God first in all areas.

REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• 💬 What idols are we most distracted by?

• 💬 Have we surrendered our life to Jesus?

• 💬 What compromises are we allowing for in our surrender to Jesus?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• 📝 Sermon Notes for this message

• 💾 Download a transcript of this message

• 📰 Blog Summary for this message

• 🖼️ Sermon Slides

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 6:11-16a

• 📖 Read 2 Corinthians 6:16b–7:3

LINKS

• ▶️ The News is Good playlist

• Website

• Download our App! (Apple) (Android)

• Donate

• Podcast

• Music by Blue Dot Sessions