Media / Sermons
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In this fifth installment of the series, Minister Garret Bookout focuses on the first major phase of the study: "What we will be". Specifically addressing the doctrine of bodily resurrection, the lesson navigates Paul's letter to the Corinthian church to combat a ancient form of skepticism—the belief in an afterlife that completely excludes a physical body. Using Paul's strict logical progression, Bookout shows why separating Christ’s resurrection from our own is impossible, defines what it means that Jesus is the "firstfruits," details the cosmic timeline of Christ’s reign over death, and explains the profound moral impact our future bodies have on how we live right now.MAY 31, 20261 Corinthians 15:12-35 - Class 5Garrett Bookout -
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 -
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
