Oaks Church Cookeville

May 17th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Before The Fall

What if the root of our conflict with others is actually something deeper happening within us?This week in Oaks Church, Bryan walks through James 4 and uncovers the hidden power of pride in our lives. From the story of the Titanic to the teachings of Jesus, we’re reminded that pride doesn’t just damage relationships. It creates distance between us and God. James calls us to humility, confession, repentance, and a life shaped by the way of Jesus rather than the values of the world.
Through passages in James, 1 Peter, Philippians, and insights from C.S. Lewis, this message invites us to examine our hearts, resist pride, and draw near to God with honesty and humility.
Listen in and reflect on what it might look like to think of yourself less and love others more.
Credits
Speaker: Bryan VaughnProduction: Sight & Sound Creative
- - -
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

May 10th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Again and Again

In this special family blessing and parent commissioning gathering, Bryan Vaughn teaches from Deuteronomy 6 about raising children in the way of Jesus. Through Scripture, testimony, and communal prayer, Oaks Church reflects on the responsibility and privilege of discipling the next generation through everyday life and faithful presence.
Scripture References
Deuteronomy 6
Proverbs 22:6
Matthew 22:37–39
Luke 2:52
Next Steps
Join us Sunday at Oaks Church
Pray for the families commissioned this week
Practice intentional discipleship rhythms at home
Connect with a community group
Learn more about upcoming “Rooted at Home” gatherings
Credits
Speaker: Bryan VaughnProduction: Sight & Sound Creative
- - -
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

April 19th, 2026 | Jimmy Thorpe | The Good Life

What if the “good life” we’re chasing isn’t actually the life we were made for?
This week, Jimmy walks us through James 3 to uncover the difference between earthly wisdom and the kind of wisdom that leads to real life. Somewhere along the way, the American Dream drifted—from meaning and dignity into pressure, performance, and never feeling like enough.
But Scripture points us somewhere better.
Through the lens of Jesus, we’re invited into a life marked by humility, peace, contentment, and quiet faithfulness. A life that isn’t built on proving something—but rooted in who we’re becoming.
What if the good life isn’t out there somewhere… but already available right here, right now?
Take a moment to listen, reflect, and consider what’s truly shaping your life.
- - -
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

April 12th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | The Power Of Words

What if the most powerful force in your life isn’t what you do—but what you say?
This week, we step into the book of James to explore the surprising power of our words. From the very beginning, God used words to create, bless, and bring order to chaos—and we’ve been given that same power. But James warns us that our tongues can just as easily destroy, discourage, and divide.
Together, we reflect on the weight of our words, the responsibility we carry, and what our speech reveals about our hearts. We’re invited to slow down, take inventory, and allow God to reshape not just what we say—but what’s within us.
As we listen, may we become people whose words bring life, healing, and hope—to others and to ourselves.
- - -
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

April 5th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Easter Sunday - The Gift

What are you doing with the gift you’ve been given?
This Easter message invites us to rethink what “eternal life” really means. Is it just something waiting for us after we die—or is it a relationship we’re meant to live in right now? Walking through Romans 5 and the larger story of Scripture, we’re reminded that Jesus didn’t just offer forgiveness—He restored access to the life God designed from the very beginning.
Through the lens of a simple but powerful illustration—a gifted bike—we’re confronted with a deeper question: will we receive, ignore, postpone, or fully embrace the gift of new life in Christ?
This is more than a message about the empty tomb. It’s an invitation to step into new creation today and to live as people of reconciliation in a world that desperately needs it.
- - -
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

March 29th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Behold Your King

What kind of King are we really looking for?
As we step into Palm Sunday, we’re invited to see Jesus not just as Savior—but as King. In Matthew 21, we watch Him enter Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy and revealing a kingdom that looks very different than expected. The crowds shout “Hosanna,” longing for rescue…yet days later, many will cry “crucify Him.”
In this message, we explore the deeper meaning behind the triumphal entry—why the donkey matters, what the crowd misunderstood, and how easily our praise can turn into distance when Jesus doesn’t meet our expectations.
As we move through Holy Week, we’re challenged to examine our own hearts: Do we honor Jesus as King every day, or only when it’s convenient?
Let’s prepare our hearts together for Easter by surrendering fully to the King we need—even if He’s not the one we expected.
- - -
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

March 22nd, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | A Faith That Works

Faith is easy to talk about—but does it actually shape how we live? This week, we dive into James 2 and the connection between belief and action, asking whether real faith can exist without movement.
Jesus invites us to remain in Him, like branches connected to a vine—but that connection is meant to bear fruit. A faith that never shows up in love or service isn’t just weak—it’s lifeless.
We’re challenged to think about the “dash” of our lives and what we’ll be known for—not just what we believed, but how we lived.
Let’s listen, reflect, and ask: what would it look like if Jesus were living our life?
- - -
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

March 15th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Known For Love

 
What does it really mean to love your neighbor—and who actually counts as “neighbor”? This week, we walk through Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan alongside James 2, where we’re challenged to confront favoritism, prejudice, and the quiet ways we withhold love.
We’re reminded that the “royal law” of the kingdom is simple but demanding: love your neighbor as yourself. Not just the easy ones. Not just the ones who look like us, think like us, or benefit us—but anyone who comes across our path.
James pushes us to examine our hearts and ask: are we showing partiality, or are we reflecting the mercy we’ve received?
As a church and as individuals, what are we known for? Our hope is that we would be marked by love—real, tangible, mercy-filled love. Let’s listen, reflect, and step into the kind of life Jesus calls us to.
- - -
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

March 8th, 2026 | Bryan Vaughn | Old Time Religion

What does “real religion” actually look like?
In James 1:26–27, we find a surprisingly direct answer. In this week’s message, Bryan explores how the faithful expression of our devotion to Jesus is not defined by rituals or religious language, but by transformed character. James points us to three powerful indicators of authentic faith: controlling our words, caring for the vulnerable, and resisting the pull of the world’s values.
Throughout the message, we’re reminded that our words reveal our hearts, that God has always called His people to defend the overlooked and oppressed, and that following Jesus often means living in ways that are countercultural.
As a church family, we’re invited to ask an important question: What would it look like for us to embody this kind of faith together?
Join us as we reflect on how our lives can display a faith that God calls “pure and faultless.”
- - -
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 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
- - -
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