Media / Sermons
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In this lesson from the Upper Room series, minister Garrett Bookout unpacks the monumental transition from the Old Covenant legal system to the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. Focusing on John 13:31-35, Bookout explores the historical background of Jeremiah's prophecy concerning a law written on the human heart rather than on tablets of stone. The sermon analyzes the central pillar of this new covenant: the command to love one another as Christ loved. Bookout argues that agape love is not merely an optional emotion but the primary doctrine and defining characteristic that allows a broken humanity to reflect the true, self-sacrificing glory of God to the world.JUL 05, 2026A New Commandment - John 13:31-35Garrett Bookout -
In this ninth lesson of the series, minister Garrett Bookout continues his examination of where believers will spend eternity by exploring the concept of the curse being removed. Addressing common misconceptions that depict the afterlife as a purely ethereal existence removed from the material world, Bookout anchors his argument in the ultimate reversal of the Genesis curse. He focuses on the prophetic visions of Revelation and the theological promises of the New Testament to illustrate that eternity consists of a physical, yet fully redeemed and glorified creation where humanity is fully restored to the unhindered presence of God.JUL 05, 2026No More Curse - Class 9Garrett Bookout -
This class focuses on the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys, examining his interactions with different people to uncover personal and modern applications. Teacher Steve Bookout highlights Paul's strategic flexibility in evangelism, noting that while Paul adapted his approach depending on the audience, he never compromised the core message of the gospel. The lesson dives deeply into two specific accounts from the first missionary journey: Paul's intense confrontation with the false prophet Elymas in Paphos and the departure of John Mark from the mission group at Perga. The core takeaway emphasizes having wisdom, showing grace, and maintaining a proper attitude during internal church disagreements and external pushback.JUL 01, 2026The Apostle Paul On His Missionary Journeys - Class 9Steve Bookout -
In this eighth installment of the *Heaven* series, Garrett Bookout tackles the common theological question of whether the physical planet earth will be completely annihilated at the end of time. Reviewing the timeline of the series, Bookout reminds the class that just as our future resurrected bodies will be tangibly physical rather than ghostly or ethereal, our eternal destination will also be physical. By analyzing the terminology of "destruction" and "newness" across Isaiah 65–66, 2 Peter 3, and Revelation 21, Bookout argues that "destruction" in the New Testament often means a radical, cleansing transformation rather than absolute annihilation into nothingness. He contrasts the original pre-Flood world with the post-Flood world to illustrate how a realm can "perish" and yet structurally remain the same planet. The class concludes with a look at Revelation 21, illustrating that eternity consists not of humans floating up to a disembodied heaven, but of God descending to dwell with humanity on a universally restored, uncursed earth.JUN 28, 2026The Earth Destroyed? - Class 8Garrett Bookout -
Minister Garrett Bookout introduces a new, three-month sermon series titled *"In The Upper Room,"* focusing on the intimate final teachings of Jesus found in John chapters 13–17. Bookout challenges the congregation to actively read along with the weekly passages and to memorize John 13:33-35, focusing on Jesus' explicit "new commandment" to love one another. This foundational lesson details Jesus washing his disciples' feet on the night prior to his crucifixion. Bookout explores how Jesus deliberately uses this culturally demeaning task as a profound object lesson to reframe greatness in the Kingdom of God. By kneeling before his fallible followers—including Judas Iscariot who would betray him—Jesus demonstrates that true discipleship requires active, self-sacrificing service. Bookout concludes by asserting that service is not merely an optional bonus to the Christian faith but a core, defining characteristic of an authentic relationship with Christ.JUN 28, 2026Washing Feet - John 13:1-17Garrett Bookout -
In this class, Randy Wooten explores a practical principle drawn from the ministry of the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ: **altering the approach to different audiences while keeping the gospel message exactly the same.** Using biblical accounts from the book of Acts and the Gospels, Wooten demonstrates how Paul and Jesus adapted their communication styles based on whether they were speaking to Jews, Greeks, or specific individuals. The lesson challenges Christians today to meet people where they are, understand their cultures, find common ground, and ask penetrating questions to internalize biblical truth.JUN 24, 2026Alter the Approach, Not the Message - Class 8Randy Wooten -
Delivered as a Father's Day Bible class at the Oak Hollow church of Christ, guest speaker Dale Jenkins presents "The Dad in the Mirror," an examination of fatherhood through the lenses of biblical examples. Jenkins contrasts the typical approach to Father's Day—which often leans into correcting or "fussing at" fathers—with a reflective look at seven paternal figures from Scripture. He outlines the triumphs and failures of Noah, Eli, the father of the Prodigal Son, Abraham, Isaac, David, and ultimately, God the Father. The lesson challenges earthly fathers to emphasize their children's spiritual destination over worldly happiness, eliminate familial favoritism, step out of passive parenting, and actively communicate faith through daily life. Jenkins concludes by asserting that the secret to successful fatherhood is first learning to receive and reflect the perfect, affectionate love of God the Father.JUN 21, 2026The Dad in the mirrorDale Jenkins -
In this guest presentation to the Oak Hollow church of Christ, Dale Jenkins identifies the internal threats that silently destroy congregational health. Contrary to popular belief, Jenkins argues that churches rarely die from external cultural pressures or secular persecution—hardships that historically cause the church to shine brighter and flourish. Instead, the true dangers come from within. While threats like pride, personal agendas, generational prejudice, passivity, and poor communication can severe a church's mission, Jenkins highlights **pessimism** as the ultimate "church arsenic." Through a poignant personal narrative about an older Christian named Jim, Jenkins illustrates how chronic negativity subtly poisons a congregation's spirit and undermines leadership. The sermon concludes with a call for the young congregation to protect their community by replacing a critical spirit with a deliberate focus on gratitude, hope, and joy.JUN 21, 2026The Inside Invisible Killer of Church HealthDale Jenkins -
In this seventh class of the series *Lessons from the Life of Paul*, teacher Steve Bookout focuses on the character, actions, and behaviors of the Apostle Paul—specifically examining his unmatched zeal. Rather than strictly analyzing Paul’s theological doctrines, the class explores how his passion drove his ministry and how 21st-century Christians can apply his example to their daily lives. Bookout transitions from examining Paul's explicit scriptural teachings on zeal to looking at his real-world execution of it, culminating in the start of Paul's first missionary journey. The lesson serves as a call to action for modern believers to actively use their God-given gifts with enthusiasm and strategic intent rather than placing their faith on "cruise control."JUN 17, 2026More on Paul's Zeal - Class 7Steve Bookout -
In this session, the focus transitions from the nature of the resurrected body to the actual location of our eternal existence. Garrett Bookout presents the biblical case that heaven will not be a purely non-physical spiritual realm, but rather a renewed, physical earth completely cleansed of its curse. Drawing from Genesis, Acts 1, and Acts 3, the lesson highlights how the biblical theme of redemption is not about throwing creation away, but fixing it. The class culminates in a comparative analysis of major Bible translations to show that God’s ultimate goal is a universal restoration of everything broken by sin.JUN 14, 2026The Restoration of All Things - Class 7Garrett Bookout -
In this final installment of the "God's House" series on the book of Ephesians, Garret Bookout addresses the foundational reality of spiritual warfare. Contrasting modern naturalistic worldviews with the polytheistic and spirit-aware culture of ancient Ephesus, Bookout explains that Christians are locked in an invisible battle against the devil and cosmic forces of darkness. Satan's primary schemes are noted as promoting sin, creating crippling disunity within the universal body of Christ, and filling believers' lives with trivial distractions. To survive and stand firm, Christians must put on the full armor of God, train through personal and collective prayer, and fight together as a unified spiritual family rather than isolated individuals.JUN 14, 2026The Whole Armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-24Garrett Bookout -
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
