Media / Sermons
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In his sermon "Growing & Maturing" from Ephesians 4, Benjamin Meade encouraged the Oak Hollow church of Christ to prioritize spiritual growth and maturity over numerical increases as a new congregation. Drawing parallels from his middle school basketball team's commitment to daily improvement despite limited physical gifts, he emphasized playing to individual strengths, using God-given talents for ministry, and building one another up in love and unity. Ultimately, he urged the congregation to focus on personal spiritual development so that the body grows organically through the equipping work of teachers and the active participation of all members in sharing truth and serving others.FEB 15, 2026Growing & Maturing - Ephesians 4Benjamin Meade -
In Lesson 4 of the Discipleship series (taught on February 11, 2026), Garrett Bookout focused on Matthew 10:24-25, emphasizing that disciples are not above their teacher (Jesus) nor servants above their master, and the goal is to become like Him amid expected opposition.FEB 11, 2026Discipleship - Lesson 4Garrett Bookout -
In this sermon, Garrett Bookout draws a parallel between modern immigration struggles and the biblical exclusion of Gentiles from God's covenant people, emphasizing the tragedy of division and the human tendency to justify exclusion rather than recognize shared brokenness. He explains how Ephesians 2:11-22 reveals God's gracious work in Christ to tear down the "dividing wall of hostility"—both the literal temple barrier and the metaphorical separation caused by the law—so that Gentiles, once aliens and strangers without hope, are brought near, made fellow citizens, and welcomed as full members of God's household. The preacher urges the church to remember its own undeserved inclusion, build solely on the foundation of Christ (the cornerstone) and the teachings of the apostles and prophets rather than human traditions, and pursue peace and unity instead of erecting new walls through extra-biblical rules and judgments.FEB 08, 2026God's Temple - Ephesians 2:11-22Garrett Bookout -
In Lesson 2 "Loving God and Neighbor Before the Law" of the "The Greatest Commands" series, teacher Shaun Calix explored how God accomplished His purposes through individuals who demonstrated profound love for Him and love for their neighbor, even before the giving of the Mosaic Law.FEB 08, 2026The Greatest Commands - Lesson 2 - Loving God and Neighbor Before the LawShaun Calix -
In Lesson 3, Garrett Bookout leads a discussion on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), emphasizing that the one true command is to "make disciples," supported by the actions of going, baptizing, and teaching. He highlights Jesus' supreme authority as the foundation for why and how disciples are made, urging the group to prioritize helping people recognize and submit to Christ's lordship rather than focusing solely on baptism numbers. The lesson contrasts superficial evangelism methods with the lifelong, relational process of true discipleship, encouraging the entire church body to participate in various roles toward this shared mission.FEB 04, 2026Discipleship - Lesson 3Garrett Bookout -
This introductory Bible lesson by Shaun Calix explores the Greatest Commandments—to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself—as the foundational summary of the entire Law and the Prophets, drawing from Jesus' response in Matthew 22:34-40.FEB 01, 2026The Greatest Commands - IntroductionShaun Calix -
In this sermon, Garrett Bookout warns against two extremes that reject the true gospel: antinomianism (grace makes obedience irrelevant) and legalism (salvation depends primarily on human works and obedience). He emphasizes that Ephesians 2:1–10 teaches we are saved by God's grace through faith in Christ—not by our own merits—so no one can boast, yet we are created in Christ for the purpose of walking in good works. As a new congregation, Oak Hollow must reject legalism (a greater danger in Churches of Christ), embrace grace as the source of hope and humility, and live lives of allegiance to Jesus that produce genuine good in the world.FEB 01, 2026Saved by Grace - Ephesians 2:1-10Garrett Bookout -
In this sermon, Garrett Bookout emphasizes that God's grace not only brings salvation to all people but actively trains believers to reject ungodliness and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives, as described in Titus 2:11-12. He warns against two extremes that reject grace—antinomianism (disregarding rules and obedience) and legalism (overemphasizing human effort and obedience while sidelining grace)—noting that legalism often stems from good intentions to promote righteousness but ultimately produces more evil by removing grace's motivating power. Bookout illustrates that grace provides a compelling reason and encouragement to diligently try to live in God's image, even though perfection is impossible, fostering effort and growth rather than despair or complacency.FEB 01, 2026Grace: a Trainer - Titus 2:11-12Garrett Bookout -
In this recorded Wednesday night Bible class on discipleship, Garrett Bookout reviews the previous week's discussion of Matthew 28:18-20 (the Great Commission) and explains that the session is shortened due to icy weather, shifting focus from interactive discussion to preparation for the next class. He recaps core ideas of discipleship as following and imitating Jesus through His practices (spiritual disciplines) and emphasizes the command to make disciples rather than merely evangelizing or baptizing. The lesson concludes by introducing several thought-provoking questions about Jesus' authority, responsibility for disciple-making, the role of baptism, teaching obedience versus information, and the promise of Christ's presence to guide next week's group discussion.JAN 28, 2026Discipleship - Lesson 2Garrett Bookout -
In his sermon on Luke 8:4-15, Garrett Bookout delves into the Parable of the Sower, portraying the seed as God's word and the soils as different ways people receive it amid a diverse crowd. He outlines four hearers: those hardened by rejection where Satan steals the seed, joyful receivers who wither in trials without roots, those choked by life's pleasures and worries, and the good soil of honest hearts that bear patient fruit. Bookout challenges believers to self-reflect, recognizing these types in Jesus' life, their communities, and themselves, urging a commitment to receptive obedience.JAN 25, 2026Parable of the Sower - Luke 8:4-15Garrett Bookout -
In the first lesson of his Discipleship Series, Garrett Bookout introduces the biblical concept of discipleship as a central theme of the New Testament, emphasizing its prevalence in Scripture (used 269 times) over the term "Christian" (used only three times) and defining it as an apprenticeship-like process of learning and imitating Jesus. He outlines key passages like the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, discusses the authority of Jesus as the foundation for making disciples through going, baptizing, and teaching, and highlights the need for spiritual disciplines to emulate Christ's life. The class blends lecture, personal anecdotes, and interactive discussion to explore how modern believers can follow Jesus amid daily responsibilities, ending with a call to action beyond mere study.JAN 21, 2026Discipleship - Lesson 1 - Matthew 28:18-20Garrett Bookout -
In Benjamin Meade's sermon "Living Stones," he exhorts Christians, drawing from 1 Peter 2:1-5, to lay aside old sinful behaviors such as malice, deceit, and envy, while eagerly desiring the pure milk of God's word to grow spiritually as newborn babes. He emphasizes that believers, though rejected by the world, are chosen and precious to God, being built together as living stones into a spiritual house founded on Christ the chief cornerstone. As a holy priesthood, Christians are called to offer spiritual sacrifices through lives of love, service, and holiness, actively pursuing unity and outreach rather than stagnation.JAN 18, 2026Living Stones - 1Peter 2:1-5Benjamin Meade -
The lesson on Colossians 4:2-6 emphasizes that Christians are called to devote themselves steadfastly to prayer, being watchful and thankful in all circumstances, as prayer was a central focus of the early church. Paul urges believers to pray for open doors to share the gospel clearly, even while imprisoned, and to walk wisely toward outsiders by making the best use of time and speaking graciously. Steve Bookout illustrates these principles with personal experiences and stresses the need for humble, clear, and respectful communication of the gospel.JAN 18, 2026Colossians 4:2-6Steve Bookout -
In this sermon from the "God's House" series, Garrett draws from Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 to emphasize that the church must be grounded in faith in Christ and love for one another as its bedrock foundation. He highlights the need for hope anchored in a heartfelt knowledge of God, fostering emotional and relational depth beyond mere intellectual study. Ultimately, the church is called to embody Christ's lordship as His body, actively continuing Jesus' mission of love and service in the world while evaluating traditions to align with these core priorities.JAN 11, 2026A Prayer for the Church - Ephesians 1:15-23Garrett Bookout -
The Bible class on Colossians 3:18-4:1 explores the "household codes" addressing relationships in the home—wives submitting to husbands as an act of self-lowering, husbands loving and elevating their wives without harshness, children obeying parents, fathers avoiding provocation to prevent discouragement, bondservants obeying earthly masters with sincerity as unto the Lord, and masters treating servants justly knowing they too have a heavenly Master. The instructor emphasizes mutual respect, love, and justice over power imbalances, drawing parallels to modern applications like workplaces while noting the cultural context of slavery and how Christian principles of fairness ultimately erode such systems. Discussion highlights commonalities like authority structures, emotional control, and reverence for God in all interactions, underscoring that healthy relationships thrive on elevation of others rather than self-insistence.JAN 11, 2026Colossians 3:18-4:1Garrett Bookout