Okolona Church of Christ

On the day a man born blind finally received his sight, he lost everything else — his community, his church, his sense of belonging. He was excommunicated. Cast out. Alone. And that's exactly when Jesus came looking for him. In this episode, Joshua Watkins walks through one of the most tender and theologically rich moments in John's Gospel. He explores what the title "Son of Man" really meant — tr...

Most of us grew up with a flannel-board version of Moses — the hero on the mountain, the staff over the water, the parted sea. But Rick Collier pulls back the curtain on the real Moses: a man with a speech impediment, a violent past, and every reason to say no to God. In this Bible class, Rick walks through the entire arc of Moses' story — from the basket in the Nile to the burning bush, through t...

We live in a world full of options — and yet so many of us walk around feeling spiritually empty. In this episode, Preaching Minister Joshua Watkins takes us deep into John 6:35–40, where Jesus makes one of His most stunning claims: "I am the bread of life." The crowd had just been fed miraculously. They'd seen Jesus walk on water. They'd witnessed the impossible. And still, their hearts were hard...

We often want faith fully formed — but Joseph never had that luxury. Sold by his brothers, enslaved in Egypt, falsely imprisoned, and forgotten for years, Joseph's story is a masterclass in what it looks like when God is working even when circumstances say otherwise. In this episode, Bible teacher Greg Childers leads a rich Socratic discussion through Genesis 37–50, exploring how Joseph's integrit...

What if the thing keeping you stuck isn't your circumstances — it's your identity? In this episode, Joshua Watkins preaches from John 5:1–14, where Jesus encounters a man who has been an invalid for 38 years beside the Pool of Bethesda. When Jesus asks, "Do you want to get well?" — the man doesn't say yes. He gives an excuse. This message is for anyone who has ever said "I'm just an angry person,"...

Abraham is called the father of faith — but his journey was far from easy. In this episode of our Heroes of the Faith series, Roger Potter walks us through Hebrews 11:8–18 and the life of a man who trusted God through decades of waiting, a journey into the unknown, and the unimaginable test of offering his promised son on an altar. We examine the four altars that mark Abraham's walk with God, the...

In a world that feels increasingly unstable, where do we find a firm foundation? Join us for this week’s sermon as Luke Stradley dives into John 4:27-42. We often think of "the harvest" as something in the distant future, but Jesus tells us the fields are white for harvest right now. Luke discusses the surprising trend of Gen Z returning to the Church in search of truth and stability, the necessit...

In this episode, Rick Collier takes us back to the time of the great flood to examine the life of Noah. While we often think of the animals, Rick focuses on the man—his 100-year construction project, the mental toll of being ridiculed by his neighbors, and the "thin line" of faith he followed to save his family. Through a lens of both biblical history and personal reflection, this episode challeng...

In this episode, we join Joshua Watkins for a deep dive into one of the most compassionate stories in the New Testament: the woman at the well. Joshua challenges us to look past our history of "church" or "non-church" backgrounds to see the common thirst we all share. Are you drinking from sources that leave you more dehydrated? Whether it’s money, status, or relationships, we often seek relief in...

In this episode, we step back into the first century to understand a letter written to a group of people considering "chunking" their faith. Greg Childers unpacks the Book of Hebrews, illustrating that biblical faith is not a blind leap in the dark, but a "deed" or "assurance" based on the trustworthiness of God. We examine the "extraordinary flaws" of Old Testament giants and discuss why their me...

In this episode, Joshua Watkins explores the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus to uncover the difference between religious performance and spiritual authenticity. Many of us spend our lives "cleaning the house" before guests arrive, hiding our struggles in locked rooms and closed closets. Joshua challenges us to unlock those doors, bring our "skeletons" into the light, and realize that God'...

What does it really mean to have peace? In this profound Bible class, Roger Potter explores the Hebrew concept of "Shalom"—a word that encompasses far more than the absence of conflict. It represents wholeness, completeness, divine harmony, and flourishing. Through careful examination of Isaiah 53's prophecy and Jesus' promise in John 14:27, discover how Christ's sacrifice on the cross brought us...

Most of us instinctively believe life works like a spiritual spreadsheet—do enough good, avoid enough bad, and we’ll be okay. But Jesus dismantles that belief when He meets Nicodemus in John 3. In The Leveling, Joshua Watkins walks through Jesus’ conversation with one of Israel’s most impressive religious leaders and shows how salvation isn’t about moral performance but spiritual rebirth. Using th...

In this Bible class, Rick Collier explores Jesus’ teaching on storing up treasures in heaven and confronts the myth that generosity is primarily financial. Drawing from Scripture and lived experience, Rick shows how giving of ourselves—our time, compassion, and presence—reflects the heart of God. This lesson challenges listeners to rethink success, security, and what really lasts.

What happens when worship becomes routine instead of relational? In this sermon from John 2:12–25, we watch Jesus confront a worship system that was busy, crowded, and impressive—but spiritually empty. Jesus doesn’t cleanse the temple to fix worship. He does it to replace the temple by becoming the way we meet God. This message challenges us to examine whether our spiritual habits are drawing us c...

In this episode, Joshua Watkins explores the profound lessons found in John 2:1-11. When a wedding celebration in Cana hits a major crisis, Jesus steps in to perform His first recorded miracle. Joshua discusses the significance of the stone jars, the necessity of human cooperation in divine miracles, and the promise that God doesn’t just provide—He provides the very best. Tune in to learn how to m...

In this session, Greg Childers explores the essential—but often misunderstood—virtue of humility. Drawing from Micah 6 and Matthew 11, Greg challenges the modern obsession with self-promotion and "my rights." He highlights how Jesus serves as the ultimate archetype of humility, choosing to share in our burdens rather than imposing new ones. If you’re weary from the heavy lifting of religious expec...

Faith doesn’t start the way we think it does. In this sermon from John 1:35–51, we step into the story of the first disciples—not as a list of doctrines, but as a remembered day that changed everything. Jesus doesn’t ask for certainty. He asks a question: “What are you seeking?” And then He offers an invitation: “Come and see.” This message challenges both seekers and long-time believers to consid...

Forgiveness is not simple — especially when real harm has been done. In this Bible class, Roger Potter explores Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, showing how forgiveness relates to repentance, boundaries, justice, and personal healing. Using Scripture and real-life illustrations, this lesson helps Christians understand how to forgive without enabling harm, ignoring consequences, or denying pain. Thi...

Jesus didn’t fail to show up—people failed to recognize Him. In this message from John 1:19–34, Joshua Watkins explores how familiarity, expectations, and misplaced focus can cause us to miss Jesus even when He is present. John the Baptist points us to the true identity of Christ: not just a helper or teacher, but the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In this lesson, Roger Potter explores how Jesus redefined greatness by becoming a servant. From the disciples’ arguments about status to Jesus washing their feet, we are reminded that humility is not optional in the Christian life. This class encourages believers to be intentional, to notice opportunities God places directly in front of them, and to serve others—both inside and outside the church—...

In this sermon, Joshua Watkins explores one of the most foundational—and challenging—questions of faith. Drawing from philosophy, everyday illustrations, and Exodus 3, we see why something eternal must exist and how God identifies Himself not by origin, but by presence: “I AM.” The message ultimately points us to Jesus—the eternal God who stepped into time, who is present without consuming, and wh...

What does it really mean to be compassionate? In this Bible class, Rick Collier unpacks the difference between sympathy, empathy, and compassion — and why true compassion always leads to action. Looking at Jesus’ encounter with a man suffering from leprosy and several powerful parables, this lesson challenges us to reflect God’s heart to everyone we encounter.

Christmas entered a tired world — not a peaceful one. In this message from Luke 2, Joshua Watkins reminds us that joy didn’t come because life improved. Life improved because Jesus came. From weary shepherds to overwhelmed parents, this sermon invites listeners to stop waiting for life to settle down and instead come to Jesus just as they are.

What separates real faith from managed faith? In this sermon, Mary’s Yes, Joshua Watkins explores Luke 1 and challenges the idea that faith must always feel safe. Mary didn’t negotiate with God. She didn’t wait for clarity. She didn’t reduce the risk. She simply said yes. This message confronts our desire for control and invites us into a faith that trusts God with the outcome — not just the plan.