Oaks Church Cookeville

SERMON RE-UPLOAD | Bryan Vaughn | One Another

In this heartfelt and practical message, Bryan invites us to see ourselves in the story of a hurt chicken that stays outside the coop—longing for connection but hesitant to rejoin. Together, we explore Hebrews 10 and Acts 2, discovering that God designed us to live, grow, and serve in community, not in isolation. Bryan introduces our new Oaks Community Groups, where we can devote ourselves to God’s Word, prayer, and sharing life as family. Whether we’ve experienced the beauty of gospel-centered relationships or the pain of being hurt by them, this is a call for all of us to step back in, take the risk, and grow together into the likeness of Jesus.
*Originally Posted August 10th, 2025
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

February 15th, 2026 | Jimmy Thorpe | Pure Religion

This week at Oaks Church, guest speaker Jimmy Thorpe walks us through James 1 and the powerful transformation of James — the brother of Jesus — from skeptic to surrendered servant. Through Scripture, we’re reminded that proximity to Jesus doesn’t equal faith, and information about Him doesn’t mean transformation. Real faith goes deeper.
In a world shaping our identity through headlines and social media, James calls us to examine our “religion” — the visible expression of our allegiance. Are we merely hearers of the Word, or doers? Does our speech reflect Christ? Does our life reveal generosity, steadiness, compassion, and truth?
Join us as we reflect on authentic faith and consider what kind of religion we’re really practicing.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

February 8th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Perspective

What if the way of Jesus truly reshaped how we see our lives, our struggles, and the people around us? In this week’s message, Bryan walks through James 1:9–18, drawing deep connections to the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. Together, we explore how the kingdom of God often looks upside down compared to the values of our culture—and why that perspective matters.
James reminds us that rich and poor stand on level ground before God, that perseverance through trials leads to life, and that God is not the source of temptation but the giver of every good and perfect gift. This passage invites us to examine what is shaping our perspective and challenges us to live as faithful exiles—people whose lives reflect the love, humility, and hope of Jesus.
Listen in as we’re encouraged to let gratitude, endurance, and allegiance to Christ shape how we live in the world today.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

February 2nd, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Consider it Joy?

What is shaping your life right now—and where is it ultimately leading you? In this message, we begin a new journey through the book of James by asking what it truly means to grow into maturity in Christ. Drawing from Colossians 1 and James 1, we’re reminded that God’s desire isn’t just comfort or success, but a deep, steady faith formed through perseverance.
James challenges us to consider trials—not as pointless interruptions—but as places where God is doing a refining work in us. When we face hardship, temptation, or uncertainty, we’re invited to ask God for wisdom with single-hearted trust. That wisdom, rooted in God’s generosity, helps us endure and grow into wholeness and contentment.
This message calls us toward surrender, resilience, and a life fully aligned with Christ. Join us as we reflect, listen, and take simple practices into our week that help us walk toward spiritual maturity—together.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

January 18th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Silence, Solitude, and the Way of Jesus

Our world is loud, hurried, and relentlessly distracting—but what if the voice we most need can only be heard in quiet? In this message, we explore how God meets His people not in noise or spectacle, but in stillness and rest. Drawing from Elijah’s encounter with God on Mount Horeb, the prayer rhythms of Jesus, and the wisdom of Scripture, we’re invited to rediscover silence, solitude, and Sabbath as gifts for our souls.
Rather than striving harder or moving faster, this teaching reminds us that transformation often happens when we slow down, listen, and allow God to speak in a gentle whisper. These practices aren’t about legalism or escape—they’re about intimacy, freedom, and learning to live from a place of rest instead of exhaustion.
If you’re feeling weary, distracted, or overwhelmed, this message offers a hopeful invitation: come away, be still, and rediscover the rest God designed for you.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

January 11th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | "Is This All There Is?"

Have you ever stopped and wondered, “Is this all there is?” In this message from John 1, we follow Nathaniel’s encounter with Jesus—an honest question, a simple invitation, and a promise of something more. When Jesus says, “Come and see,” He isn’t just offering answers; He’s inviting us into a deeper life of faith.
Bryan walks through the early calling of Jesus’ disciples and explores what it means to move beyond a surface-level faith into true union with Christ. Drawing from Scripture and the stages of spiritual growth, this teaching challenges us to consider where we are in our journey—and whether we’re open to seeing “greater things” than we’ve known so far.
Whether you’re new to faith, feeling stuck, or longing for deeper transformation, this message invites you to open your heart again and trust that Jesus still calls us forward. Come and see what He might reveal next.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

January 4th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

This week’s episode is a little different than usual. Due to a technical issue, Sunday’s sermon wasn’t recorded—but Bryan shares a brief recap to keep our church family in the loop.
In this short message, Bryan invites Oaks Church to join with other churches across our community in 21 days of prayer and fasting, beginning January 5. He explains why this shared practice matters, how fasting can look different for each person, and why prayer—not performance—is the heart of the invitation.
You’ll hear a simple, accessible framework for developing a daily prayer rhythm—morning, midday, and evening—rooted in the Lord’s Prayer and the historic practice of the Daily Examen.
Whether you’re new to prayer or looking to renew healthy spiritual rhythms, this episode is an encouragement to step into the new year with intention, humility, and hope—together.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

Sermon: December 21st, 2025 | Bryan Vaughn | Fulfilled: In His Death + Resurrection

What does it really mean to fulfill the storyline of Scripture? In this message, Bryan walks us through the Gospel of Matthew to show how Jesus fulfills God’s story—not only in His birth and teachings, but ultimately through the cross and resurrection. From the promise of Emmanuel, God with us in Matthew 1 to Jesus’ final words in Matthew 28, we see a story shaped by self-giving love.
Jesus teaches that all of Scripture hangs on two commands: love God with everything you are, and love your neighbor as yourself. Then He shows us what that love looks like—laying down His life so we might truly live.
As we approach Christmas, this sermon invites us to see the incarnation as part of a much bigger story and challenges us to live as embodiments of God’s kingdom through love, generosity, and remembrance.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

Sermon: December 14th, 2025 | Bryan Vaughn | Fulfilled: In His Actions

What if Christmas isn’t an escape from reality—but the interpretation of it? This week, we see how Jesus doesn’t remain in Bethlehem; He grows into the King who fulfills God’s promises through what He does. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the kingdom (Matthew 5–7) and then lives it out—healing the sick, restoring the broken, and revealing God’s authority in real time. We zoom in on two storm stories: Jesus calming the waves (Matthew 8) and Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14). The disciples’ question shifts from “Who is this?” to worship: “Truly you are the Son of God.” We’re also invited into Peter’s moment—fixing our eyes on Jesus when fear and circumstances rise. This week’s practice: start a simple gratitude journal and notice how God provides, building faith day by day.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church

Sermon: December 7th, 2025 | Bryan Vaughn | Fulfilled: In His Teachings

Jesus doesn’t just quote the Old Testament—He steps into Israel’s story and fulfills it. In this week’s message, we walk through Matthew to see how Jesus reveals Himself as the better Moses, the faithful Israel, and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. From the Sermon on the Mount to the gentle invitation of Matthew 11, we discover that the kingdom of heaven is both upside down and deeply good—an ancient path that leads to true rest for our souls.
We trace Jesus’ words back to Exodus 33 and Jeremiah 6, where God promises His presence and rest, and then hear Jesus say, “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” In a world of hurry, pressure, and spiritual exhaustion, this is an invitation to surrender control and trust the King who has already given everything for us.
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Oaks Church is a multi-generational gathering of believers who are following Jesus together, becoming the expression of the Kingdom of God to our world, and encouraging one another to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
oakscookeville.church