Columbus Evangelical Church Sermons

What does it really mean to be free? Every Fourth of July, we celebrate freedom—but have you ever stopped to ask what freedom actually is? Is it simply the ability to do whatever we want, or does the Bible offer a deeper definition? In this message, we'll trace the story of freedom throughout Scripture—from Israel's deliverance from Egypt, to God's law at Mount Sinai, to Jesus' surprising words in...

Families can be messy. Broken relationships, painful choices, and people we love who seem determined to go their own way—Jacob knows exactly what that's like. In Genesis 33–35, a miraculous family reunion is followed by one of the darkest chapters in Genesis, as Jacob realizes he can't fix the hearts of his own sons. Join us as we discover what happens when God calls Jacob back to Bethel and why t...

What do you do when you know what God wants you to do... but you're terrified to do it? Jacob has spent twenty years running from his past. Now God is calling him to face the very thing he's been avoiding. On the night before that encounter, Jacob wrestles with God and receives a new name, a permanent limp, and a life-changing lesson about faith, fear, and dependence on God. Join us as we explore...

Jacob desires Rachel, Leah longs for acceptance, Rachel craves significance, and Laban chases security through wealth. Every character in this story is pursuing something good—but when good things become ultimate things, they become dangerous things. In this message, we uncover the idols beneath the surface of Genesis 29–31 and discover why the things we think will satisfy us never seem to be enou...

Jacob is running from the wreckage of his own choices—guilt, fear, broken relationships, and a future that seems beyond repair. But at rock bottom, God meets him with grace, not rejection. In this message, we explore Jacob’s dream of the stairway to heaven, why he never climbs it, and how it points directly to Jesus. If you’ve ever wondered whether God still wants you after you’ve made a mess of y...

In this message, we take an honest look at Jacob—and the truth is, he’s not the hero we might expect. He manipulates his brother out of his inheritance, deceives his aging father, and leaves a trail of family dysfunction in his wake. So why would God choose someone like him? Because God isn’t in the business of picking perfect people—He’s in the business of reforming scoundrels. From Abraham to Is...

This weekend we are honored to welcome Adult & Teen Challenge to our church. During the service, you’ll hear powerful testimonies from students whose lives have been transformed through the hope of Jesus Christ. Their team leader (Ryan Clubb) will also be sharing a special message of freedom, restoration, and the power of the Gospel. Come expecting an encouraging and impactful morning as we celebr...

Mother’s Day can bring joy, grief, gratitude, anxiety… and for many parents, one big question: “How do I trust God with my kids?” This Sunday we’ll explore the powerful and deeply personal words of Psalm 139 and discover how David learned to trust God in the middle of fear, loss, anxiety, and the brokenness of this world. Join us for a message of honesty, hope, and deeper trust in God.

Reading the Bible is just the start—living it is the goal. In this message, we explore how to move from understanding Scripture to applying it in everyday life. Learn key insights for turning observation and interpretation into action, keeping your applications centered on Jesus, and using Godly wisdom to make your faith practical and transformative.

Did you know the whole Bible points to Jesus? In this message, we explore 1 Peter 1:10-12 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 to see how Scripture has a dual authorship—human and divine—and how every story, law, and prophecy ultimately centers on Christ. Learn how reading the Bible with Jesus at the center transforms every passage from words on a page to life-changing revelation.

Pulling one thread can unravel a whole sweater… and taking a Bible verse out of context can unravel God’s message. In this message, we explore 2 Timothy 2:15 to discover how reading the Bible in context helps us handle God’s Word correctly, understand the bigger story, and avoid misinterpretation. Learn how to zoom out, see the weave, and read Scripture the way God intended.

How can your heart posture change the way you read the Bible? In this kickoff message, we explore Matthew 22:34-46 and John 3:1-17 to discover how humility, a desire to know God, and a willingness to obey transform not just what we read—but how we experience God through Scripture. Learn how approaching the Bible with the right posture can unlock its life-changing truth.

Was Thomas really “doubting”… or just being honest? In this Easter message, we explore how doubt, evidence, and faith collide in one of the most relatable moments in the Gospels. Why would a made-up story include a skeptical disciple? What counts as reasonable doubt? And what do you do when Jesus says, “Stop doubting and believe”? If you’ve ever wrestled with questions about the resurrection, this...

On the road to Emmaus, two disciples walk in confusion and grief—until a stranger joins them. He listens. He asks questions. And then… He begins to unfold the story. Starting with Moses and all the Prophets, this stranger reveals how the Messiah had to suffer—how the cross was never an accident, but always the plan. Every promise, every shadow, every sacrifice pointing to this moment. But who is t...

What did Jesus really mean when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”? In this message, we wrestle with one of the most bold and exclusive claims ever made. Is Jesus just a way… or truly the way? What is truth in a world full of confusion? And what kind of life is He offering? Through the questions of Thomas, Philip, and Judas, we uncover a deeper reality—one that goes beyond what we ca...

When Jesus’ friend Lazarus dies in Gospel of John 11, it raises an obvious question: Why didn’t Jesus just heal him? Instead, Jesus allows Lazarus to die—and then makes one of the most powerful claims in the Bible: “I am the resurrection and the life.” By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus reveals something far greater than a miracle. He points to a deeper truth: death is not the end of our stor...

In Gospel of John 10, Jesus makes two shocking claims: “I am the Gate” and “I am the Good Shepherd.” At first they sound like simple metaphors, but in the context of the Old Testament, they carry a far bigger meaning. Jesus isn’t just offering guidance—He’s claiming to be the only way into God’s flock and the Shepherd God promised would come to save His people. No wonder the crowd instantly became...

In John 7–9, Jesus declares He is “the Light of the World,” escalating tensions with the Pharisees to a breaking point. Leading up to this claim, a man born blind is miraculously healed, yet the religious leaders still refuse to see the truth right in front of them. Why does the blind man recognize Jesus… while those who claim to see remain in darkness? Discover the powerful meaning behind Jesus’...

If someone walked up to you and said, “I am bread,” you’d probably think they were crazy. But when Jesus says it in Gospel of John chapter 6, He’s making a stunning and intentional claim. Set against Passover, the Exodus, and Israel’s wilderness hunger, Jesus reveals that He is the true manna, the greater Moses, and the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament story. What happened in Exodus 16 was...

What does child like faith look like? Let's take a glimpse at what the Scriptures say, and be open to returning to this type of faith. Jesus was not silent on the importance of having faith that is simple, joyful and trusting--our kids (and Special K Residents) could teach us a thing or two about changing and becoming like a little child with our faith.

Faith doesn’t have to be complicated. As Paul closes 1 Thessalonians, he reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about mastering everything, it’s about trusting Jesus. We'll see how a life of joy, gratitude, perseverance, and hope flows from one simple truth: the One who calls you is faithful. This message invites us to lay down the pressure, stop overcomplicating faith, and rest in the promise that...

The end times don’t have to be terrifying. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, Paul reframes the future, not as something to fear but as something to prepare for with confidence. In this message, we’ll discover how knowing Jesus transforms uncertainty into peace, anticipation into hope, and why the future is only intimidating if you don’t know who’s in control.

Ever had a hard season that feels like it will never end? The Thessalonian church did too. In the middle of suffering and loss, Paul points them to a future that changes everything. In this message from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, we explore how Christians face death honestly, but with a hope that’s stronger than the grave.

What if the goal of following Jesus isn’t rule-keeping… but real life? This message digs into the difference between God’s design and the world’s cheap substitutes. From holiness to everyday choices, Paul exposes how sin sells knockoffs that promise satisfaction but always leave us empty. And he invites us into something better... restoration, freedom, and a life that actually fulfills.

Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it... he promises hardship, opposition, and pressure. So why would anyone sign up for that? In this message from 1 Thessalonians 3, we wrestle with an uncomfortable truth: the very things we try to avoid (suffering, adversity, resistance) are often the tools God uses to shape heroes of the faith. When life feels crushing, has God forgotten you… or is He forging something str...