Media / Sermons
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In this practical and reflective sermon, Garrett Bookout explores Ephesians 5:15-21 as a call to intentional, purposeful living. He emphasizes that life is a journey ("walk") that requires careful attention because our daily choices determine where we end up—both in this life and eternity. Using a memorable rope illustration contrasting our brief earthly life with eternity, he challenges listeners to stop living primarily for temporal comfort and instead make the best use of time by being filled with the Holy Spirit. True purpose is found not in self-focus but in other-focused living: heartfelt worship, continual thankfulness, and mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. The message is both convicting and encouraging, especially fitting for Mother’s Day, highlighting lives marked by caring more for others than for self.MAY 10, 2026A Life with Purpose - Ephesians 5:15-21Garrett Bookout -
In the second class of the “Heaven” series (May 10, 2026), Garrett Bookout teaches on **Resurrection in the Old Testament**. He explains that the belief in a future bodily resurrection was already well-established among many first-century Jews (especially the Pharisees) before Jesus ever taught on it. Drawing from the Old Testament, Garrett shows that God has power over life and death, that He raised people in the time of Elijah and Elisha, and that the prophets (Ezekiel 37, Isaiah 26, Daniel 12) gave Israel a clear hope of dead bodies being physically raised from the dust/graves to new life. He emphasizes that resurrection in Scripture is not merely “going to heaven as a spirit,” but the re-embodiment and glorification of God’s people.MAY 10, 2026Resurrection in the Old Testament - Class #2Garrett Bookout -
In the first lesson of the series *"Lessons from the Life of Paul"* (delivered May 6, 2026), Steve Bookout introduces a study focused primarily on the *life* of Paul/Saul rather than just his teachings. The lesson examines the pre-conversion Saul as a violent, zealous persecutor of the church. Steve walks through the biblical text (primarily Acts 7:54–8:3 and Acts 9:1-2), detailing Stephen’s martyrdom, Saul’s approval of it, and his aggressive campaign to destroy the church by dragging believers to prison and consenting to their deaths. The lesson highlights Saul’s sincere but misguided zeal (acting “in good conscience” according to the Law as he understood it) and draws practical applications: God can sovereignly use even the evil actions of men for good (the persecution scattered believers who then spread the gospel), the necessity of bold proclamation of Christ even under pressure, and the danger of misplaced religious zeal. The class ends with encouragement to learn from Saul’s transformation and to actively teach Jesus so the church can grow.MAY 06, 2026Saul (Pre-Conversion)Steve Bookout -
In his May 3, 2026 sermon “Walk as Children of Light” (Ephesians 5:3-14) from the “God’s House” series, Garrett Bookout challenges Christians not only to avoid the moral darkness of the world but to actively expose and transform it through holy living. Paul commands believers to reject sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk, and crude joking—these things are “out of place” among saints. Instead, lives should be marked by thanksgiving, rooted in contentment with God’s good gifts (such as sexuality and speech). Believers were once darkness itself but are now light in the Lord; their lives must therefore produce the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth. The sermon stresses discerning what pleases God (rather than pushing boundaries), refusing partnership with the “sons of disobedience,” and exposing unfruitful works of darkness simply by shining as light. Ultimately, Christ’s light awakens sleepers from death, transforms personal darkness, and spreads through His church to turn the world from darkness to light.MAY 03, 2026Walk as Children of Light - Ephesians 5:3-14Garrett Bookout -
In the first lesson of the "Heaven" series, Minister Garrett Bookout introduces a biblical study of heaven, sharing his conviction that eternity involves a renewed and redeemed earth rather than a disembodied existence in the clouds. He contrasts common traditional views with Scripture’s redemptive story.MAY 03, 2026The New Heavens and New EarthGarrett Bookout -
In the final lesson of the Discipleship series (Lesson 15, delivered by Garrett Bookout on April 29, 2026), the speaker reviews the four key Bible passages studied throughout the course: Matthew 28:18-20 (the Great Commission), Matthew 10:24-25 (the limited commission emphasizing becoming like the Teacher), Luke 14:25-35 (counting the cost and the demand for full devotion over half-hearted following), and Acts 2 (the early church's response to the gospel and their devoted manner of life). He stresses that discipleship is not merely a topic to discuss but a lifelong demand from Jesus that involves personal transformation, making disciples of others, and fostering a church culture that draws people closer to Christ—like a "disciple-making factory." The lesson concludes with practical ideas for the Oak Hollow church to grow in devotion to the apostles' teaching (Bible engagement through discussion, reading, and memorization), prayer (including group prayer and personal confession), fellowship, and living out the practices modeled by Jesus and the first Christians.APR 29, 2026Discipleship - Lesson 15Garrett Bookout -
In this final Bible class of the quarter, Shaun Calix explores how the early church in the book of Acts embodied Jesus’ two greatest commandments—loving God and loving neighbor—and how those practices contributed to the explosive growth of the church, even amid persecution. A practical and encouraging study for any congregation seeking to grow through faithful discipleship. (Oak Hollow Church of Christ, April 26, 2026)APR 26, 2026The Greatest Commandments and the Growth of the Early ChurchShaun Calix -
In this sermon from the "God's House" series, Garrett Bookout explores Ephesians 5:1-2, calling the church to "be imitators of God as beloved children" and to "walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." He challenges listeners to move beyond knowing the greatest commandment (love God and neighbor) in their heads to living it deeply in their hearts, contrasting detailed "faithful church" checklists with the Bible's emphasis on love as the weightier matter. Delivered April 26, 2026, at Oak Hollow church of Christ.APR 26, 2026Walk in Love - Ephesians 5:1-2Garrett Bookout -
In this lesson, Garrett Bookout explores the spiritual habits of the early church as recorded in Acts 2:42–48. He emphasizes that discipleship is not merely an individual pursuit but a communal responsibility aimed at helping every member "image Christ" more perfectly. The session specifically highlights the importance of planned prayer and the shift from personal growth to building a "discipleship-centered" church where members walk alongside one another.APR 22, 2026Discipleship - Lesson 14Garrett Bookout -
In this sermon, Benjamin Meade explores the transition from becoming a "new creation" in baptism to developing a "new mentality". Drawing from Colossians 3, he argues that Christians often focus too much on avoiding sin (a defensive "don't mess up" posture) rather than actively pursuing the "things above". Using sports analogies, Meade encourages believers to focus on their God-given strengths and active virtues—such as love, kindness, and humility—to live out the new life Christ has provided.APR 19, 2026A New MentalityBenjamin Meade -
In this lesson, Jared Street explores the practical application of the "Greatest Commandments" by examining the life of Jesus as a blueprint. Rather than just teaching the law, Jesus fulfilled it by demonstrating a life of total devotion to God through prayer, obedience, and zeal for truth, while simultaneously showing radical compassion for his neighbors—specifically the sick, the hungry, and the social outcasts. The class concludes that Christians are called to follow this example by meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of others.APR 19, 2026The Greatest Commandments and the Life of JesusJared Street -
Benjamin Meade explores the transformation required of a Christian based on Romans 6. He emphasizes that baptism creates a radical "new life" where the old self is buried and a new creation is raised to walk in righteousness. Meade challenges the audience to reject the temptation to abuse God’s grace as a license to sin, urging them instead to choose daily to be "slaves to God" rather than "slaves to sin"APR 19, 2026A New Life - Romans 6Benjamin Meade
