Media / Sermons
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In this Bible class presented to the Oak Hollow church of Christ on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, teacher Steve Bookout delivers the sixth installment of the Lessons on the Life of Paul series, focusing entirely on the defining characteristic of Paul's zeal. Bookout contrasts Saul's initial misguided, destructive fire as a persecutor with the unstoppable gospel zeal he maintained following his conversion on the road to Damascus. The lesson explores the biblical definitions of zeal, tracking its connections to both Christ's messianic character and the tragic historical pitfalls of religious passion detached from truth. Bookout emphasizes that godly zeal must remain anchored in divine knowledge, and he challenges Christians to cultivate an unwavering commitment to holy living and gospel advocacy. The study concludes by examining 1 Peter 3:15, exploring how honoring Christ as holy serves as a baseline for standing ready to defend the faith with gentleness and respect.JUN 10, 2026Paul's Zeal - Class 6Steve Bookout -
In this sermon presented to the Oak Hollow church of Christ on Sunday, June 7, 2026, minister Garrett Bookout addresses Ephesians 6:5-9 as part of the ongoing God's House sermon series. Bookout begins by explaining his commitment to preaching sequentially through biblical books, which prevents a preacher from avoiding difficult topics or riding personal hobby horses. He acknowledges the modern challenges of addressing a passage on slavery, noting the lack of direct cultural equivalence today, the emotional weight of America's historic black eye with the practice, and the modern desire for the New Testament to have demanded an immediate abolition of the institution. Using an illustration of electricity to demonstrate how deeply a society's survival and economy can depend on a structural foundation—even though electricity is morally neutral and slavery is inherently sinful—Bookout explains that an immediate mechanical termination would have caused catastrophic collapse and starvation, hurting the vulnerable slave population most severely. Rather than treating the superficial symptoms of a fallen world, Bookout argues that the New Testament addresses the spiritual root of the problem by demanding a fundamental restructuring of human value. He highlights that Paul positions bondservants and masters as absolute spiritual equals who sit in the same assembly as brothers in Christ. Slaves are instructed to work with maximum sincerity, honesty, and effort, viewing their daily tasks as direct service to Christ rather than eye-service to please human handlers. Simultaneously, masters are given the radical command to stop threatening their servants and to serve them in return, modeling Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. Bookout concludes by extracting universal principles from the household code, emphasizing that true character is defined by what a person does when no one is watching, how they handle positions of authority, and their willingness to transform relationships through personal humility rather than demanding change from others.JUN 07, 2026Bondservants and Masters - Ephesians 6:5-9Garrett Bookout -
In this Bible class presented to the Oak Hollow church of Christ on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, teacher Randy Wooten continues the series Lessons on the Life of Paul by examining Acts chapter 9. Picking up directly after Saul’s basket escape from Damascus, the lesson explores Saul’s arrival in Jerusalem and the initial rejection he faced from the skeptical disciples. Wooten details how Barnabas stepped in as an advocate and bridge-builder, exemplifying his scriptural nickname, son of encouragement. The second half of the class transitions into Saul’s sudden departure to Tarsus after facing death threats from the Hellenists. Wooten frames this transition not as a setback, but as a providential season of preparation where God worked on Saul privately before elevating his public ministry. The lesson draws parallels to other Old and New Testament figures who underwent similar periods of isolation and character development.JUN 03, 2026The Beginning of Saul's Suffering (Part 2) - Class 5Randy Wooten -
In this sermon presented to the Oak Hollow church of Christ on Sunday, May 31, 2026, minister Garrett Bookout preaches from Ephesians 6:1-4 as part of the ongoing God's House sermon series. Bookout deconstructs the immense pressures, beauties, and vulnerabilities inherent to parenting and being a child within the body of Christ. He begins by addressing common cultural and religious misapplications of parenting scripture, specifically contextualizing Proverbs 22:6 to explain that proverbs are general wisdom principles rather than absolute, robotic guarantees of a child's future choices. Bookout argues that children possess free will and unique dispositions, meaning that a child’s adult faith must be their own personal conviction rather than a manufactured imitation of their parents. Moving into the text of Ephesians, Bookout details why Paul addresses children directly as active, vital components of the contemporary church rather than merely the church of tomorrow. He explains that Paul singles out fathers because Roman patriarchal society granted them unchecked domestic power, making them highly susceptible to abusing authority. Parents are instructed to avoid provoking their children to anger, which Bookout links to managing a child's emotional regulation and mental well-being. Ultimately, the sermon redefines godly discipline beyond mere physical punishment, framing it as holistic, daily spiritual training through prayer, scripture reading, and emotional connection, aimed at launching children into independent, sincere lives of discipleship under Jesus.MAY 31, 2026Children and Fathers - Ephesians 6:1-4Garrett Bookout -
In this Bible class, teacher Randy Wooten explores the immediate aftermath of Saul’s (Paul’s) conversion on the road to Damascus. The lesson focuses on the fulfillment of God's declaration that Saul would suffer significantly for the name of Christ. Wooten highlights Saul's sudden and radical "paradigm shift" from a persecutor of Christians to an ardent proclaimer of Jesus in the synagogues. The class emphasizes that true discipleship involves counting the cost, being willing to transform one's mind, and understanding our role as mere instruments of God. The session concludes with an examination of Saul's narrow escape from his first death threat in Damascus, where he relied on the support of fellow believers to survive.MAY 27, 2026The Beginning of Saul's Sufferings - Class 4Randy Wooten -
In the sermon *"True Fellowship"* (delivered by Benjamin Meade), the speaker explores the heart of the Christian life through 1 John 1. He explains that God’s ultimate desire is deep, loving relationship with His people — pictured as a holy alliance of love, mirroring the marriage relationship between Christ and the Church. True fellowship with God and one another requires walking in the light (openness, holiness, and honesty), acknowledging our sinfulness, confessing sins to God and each other, and imitating God’s character. The goal is restored unity, cleansing through Christ’s blood, and complete joy both now and in eternity.MAY 24, 2026True FellowshipBenjamin Meade -
In Class 4 of the "Heaven" series, minister Garrett Bookout continues exploring **what we will be** in eternity, with a strong emphasis on the bodily, physical nature of the resurrection. He shares his personal shift from viewing heaven as an ethereal, ghostly existence to understanding it as a fully physical, resurrected life modeled after Jesus’ resurrection. The lesson examines key passages (1 Thessalonians 5:23 and especially 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10) to show that believers will receive new, strong, immortal bodies rather than existing as disembodied spirits. The class also includes thoughtful discussion on practical questions such as whether we will know loved ones who are lost and how God will remove all sorrow in eternity.MAY 24, 2026Our Resurrection - Class 4Garrett Bookout -
In this lesson, Steve Bookout examines the dramatic conversion of Saul (later Paul) on the Damascus Road as recorded in Acts 9, with supporting accounts from Acts 22 and 26. The teaching emphasizes that Saul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle was accomplished by **God’s grace through faith**, not by any special or alternative method of salvation. Key themes include the role of grace (highlighted by the name and mission of Ananias), the necessity of repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the consistency of Paul’s conversion with the gospel message preached throughout the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament. The lesson counters common modern misconceptions (such as the “sinner’s prayer”) and encourages listeners to appreciate the power of God’s grace while remaining faithful.MAY 20, 2026Saul's Conversion - Lessons from the Life of Paul - Class 3Steve Bookout -
In Class 3 of the "Heaven" series, minister Garrett Bookout teaches on "the resurrection of Jesus" as the foundation and pattern for the future resurrection of believers. He contrasts the common cultural view of heaven as an ethereal, disembodied spirit existence with the biblical emphasis on a "bodily, physical resurrection". Drawing from the Old Testament (bodily resurrection imagery) and especially the New Testament, Bookout shows that what happened to Jesus’ body is what will happen to Christians — our lowly, frail bodies will be transformed into glorious, immortal, physical bodies like Christ’s. The lesson examines key passages (1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 3, Romans 8) and walks through Gospel resurrection accounts to demonstrate that Jesus’ resurrected body was real flesh and bones: visible, touchable, able to eat real food, and capable of sudden appearance. The class ends with hope-filled application: believers can look forward to a restored, physical existence free from sickness, frailty, and death.MAY 17, 2026The Resurrection of Jesus - Class 3Garrett Bookout -
In the sermon *"Marriage and the Church"* (part of the *God's House* series), minister Garrett Bookout teaches from Ephesians 5 that Christian marriage is meant to be the most beautiful human relationship and serves as a living illustration of the relationship between Christ and His Church. He emphasizes that true spirituality flows from being filled with the Holy Spirit, which expresses itself through mutual submission and self-sacrifice. Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially as Christ loved the Church, while wives are called to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ. The ultimate goal of marriage is oneness—two becoming one—rather than competing forces, mirroring the believer’s call to yield to Christ so they can be united with Him.MAY 17, 2026Marriage and the ChurchGarrett Bookout -
In "Saul (Pre-Conversion) - Part 2," teacher Steve Bookout continues the "Lessons from the Life of Paul" series by examining Saul’s life and mindset before his conversion on the Damascus Road. Through Acts 22 and 26 (along with earlier chapters), the lesson explores Saul’s zealous persecution of the church — including his role in Stephen’s death, imprisoning believers, and attempting to force them to blaspheme. The core focus is on how a highly intelligent, well-educated, and sincerely devout Pharisee could be so wrong while feeling completely right. Bookout draws practical lessons about giving a defense of the faith with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), the danger of being sincerely mistaken due to upbringing, pride, and overconfidence in tradition/teachers, and the need to continually test all beliefs against Scripture.MAY 13, 2026Saul (Pre-Conversion) Part 2Steve Bookout -
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
