Media / Sermons
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In this sermon focused on John 14:15–31, Garrett Bookout explores the upper room discourse where Jesus prepares His disciples for His imminent departure. The message examines human relationships and parting, the promise of the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete / Helper), the relationship between loving Jesus and obeying His commandments, and how Christ's obedience on the cross reveals God's love while defeating the ruler of this world.JUL 26, 2026The Helper - John 14:15-31Garrett Bookout -
This Bible class session, led by Michael Meade at the Oak Hollow church of Christ, serves as a recap and interactive discussion following 11-lessons from the series titled Lessons from the Life of Paul. Starting at the 29-minute mark, Michael opens the class by reflecting on Paul's radical transformation and setting a foundation for group participation through key scriptures in 1 Thessalonians and James. The lesson bridges Paul's historical journey--from his pre-conversion zeal as Saul of Tarsus to his calling as an apostle--with the personal faith journeys of the class participants. Through an exploration of Acts 9 and the concept of early believers being followers of the Way, the class engages in a discussion on conversion, personal zeal, spiritual endurance, and creating a supportive, non-judgmental church community.JUL 22, 2026Lessons from the Life of Paul Review and Discussion - Class 11Michael Meade -
In Class 11 of his ongoing series on Heaven, minister Garrett Bookout explores John 14:2–3 and the phrase "I go to prepare a place for you." He examines how traditional views of Heaven often misinterpret this text as physical mansions in the sky. By analyzing the passage through key interpretative lenses—including symbolic language, relationship, temple imagery, and the upcoming cross—Bookout explains how Jesus was redefining the dwelling place of God. He demonstrates that Christ was opening access to a deep, mutual spiritual relationship and union between God, Jesus, and believers.JUL 19, 2026"I go to prepare a place?" - John 14:2-3 - Class 11Garrett Bookout -
Benjamin Meade begins by establishing the historical context behind 1 John. John wrote his letter to promote fellowship among believers and God, while actively combating false sects like Gnosticism. Gnostics believed physical matter was inherently dirty and worthless, leading to the false conclusion that physical human actions did not matter or that believers could not truly sin.JUL 19, 2026Jesus as an Advocate - 1 John 2:1-6Benjamin Meade -
This video captures the Wednesday evening service of the Oak Hollow church of Christ, featuring a Bible class led by teacher Steve Bookout. The lesson is the eleventh installment of the series "Lessons from the Life of Paul" and focuses on Paul's humility. Before transitioning into the main topic, the teacher wraps up the previous week's discussion on Romans and the ongoing struggles with the flesh, emphasizing that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus who walk according to the Spirit. The core of the lesson defines humility using scriptural models, showcasing how the Apostle Paul continually emulated Christ's humility by considering others first, emptying himself of his past prestige, openly confessing his weaknesses, and maintaining absolute dependence on God through persistent prayer.JUL 15, 2026Paul's Humility - Class 11Steve Bookout -
In this installment of the Upper Room sermon series, minister Garrett Bookout unpacks John 13:36–14:11 to challenge common, hyper-literal interpretations of "the Father's house" and the "many rooms" promised by Jesus. Bookout argues that reading this passage strictly through the lens of physical real estate misses the profound, relational target of the text. By introducing four critical interpretive lenses—symbolic, relational, temple, and cross lenses—he demonstrates that Jesus is describing access to the intimate presence of God. Ultimately, the sermon illustrates that the primary goal and hope of the Christian faith is not a celestial location, but a unified relationship with a person: Jesus Christ.JUL 12, 2026The Way to the Father - John 13:36 - 14:11Garrett Bookout -
In this 10th installment of the Heaven series, minister Garrett Bookout challenges common theological assumptions regarding what happens to believers at the second coming of Jesus. Specifically, he addresses the widespread belief that Christians will permanently leave the earth to live on clouds in heaven after meeting Christ in the air. By examining the biblical context, primary word usages in Greek, and related parables, Bookout argues that meeting Jesus in the air serves as a grand welcoming procession to usher the returning King back down to a redeemed and renewed earth.JUL 12, 2026Meeting in the Clouds? - Class 10Garrett Bookout -
In this 10th installment of the series *Lessons from the Life of Paul*, teacher Steve Bookout leads a textual and practical study of Romans 7 and 8 to analyze the apostle Paul’s profound vulnerability regarding personal sin. By highlighting Paul's use of present-tense phrasing ("wretched man that I am"), the class establishes that spiritual warfare between the human spirit and the flesh is an ongoing reality for active Christians, rather than a description of a pre-conversion past. The lesson warns against the spiritual dangers of self-justification, horizontal comparison, and complacency. Ultimately, it delivers the foundational promise of the gospel: for those actively walking according to the Spirit, the struggles of the flesh are met with the triumphant, continuous cleansing of Christ, ensuring there is no condemnation in Him.JUL 08, 2026Paul's Struggle with the Flesh - Class 10Steve Bookout -
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
