Sermons to Go

This week's sermon continues our "A Christmas Carol" series by looking at the Ghost of Christmas Past. Through Philippians 1:3-11, Rev. Shannon Blosser shares how we reflect on our past and are shaped by the moments of our lives. He says that to live with hope and joy in the present, we must make peace with our past and reflect on how God's grace has led us to where we are today.

This week begins our Advent sermon series looking at themes of faith and the Christmas story found in the classic book "A Christmas Carol." Rev. Shannon Blosser focuses on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-12 and how we are called to "abound in love" for one another. Part of that, he says, is to also love the people like Scrooge in our lives. To love them, we have to be willing to embrace their story and understand why they may be the way they seem.

This week's sermon is from Revelation 1:4-8. Rev. Shannon Blosser focuses on how we are called to live with grace and peace in response to Christ's Lordship. He talks about how grace and peace are to be our witness, and how it is counter to the witness we often give as followers of Christ.

This week's sermon is based on Mark 12:38-44. It is the story of the widow's gift of two coins to the Temple treasury. Rev. Shannon Blosser shares how simple gifts are holy and often reflect what God truly desires. That is our entire self in service to God.

It is our All Saints' Remembrance, and this week's sermon comes from John 11:32-44. Rev. Shannon Blosser focuses on 11:35 of "Jesus weeps." He talks about what leads up to this moment and what it means for us that Jesus is empathetic in this moment of grief.

This week's sermon focuses on Mark 10:46-52. It is the story of Bartimaeus who cries out to Jesus for mercy and to be able to see again. Rev. Shannon Blosser shares how we each have a place in our hearts, like Bartimaeus, that needs to cry out to Jesus. He says that sometimes the biggest healing moment comes when we admit where we need to see Jesus at work in our lives.

This week's sermon focuses on Mark 10:17-31. It is the story of Jesus' encounter with a rich man who desired to know more about eternal life. Rev. Shannon Blosser talks of how the rich man could not let go of his belief that his riches gave him salvation and a good life. He asks us to consider what things or ideas we cling to and believe that they offer us the blessings only God can provide.

This week's sermon comes from Mark 10:2-16. Jesus encounters a group of Pharisees who want to trap him on the question of divorce. Rev. Shannon Blosser shares how we need to look deeper at how Jesus engages the question and how it leads us to a posture of love and not judgment towards people.

This week's sermon was recorded at Benwood-McMechen United Methodist Church. It focuses on Numbers 11 and Moses' frustrations with the people's ongoing complaints. Rev. Shannon Blosser looks at the narrative and discusses Moses' willingness to hear from God to appoint new leaders. He also talks about how we each have a role to play in the church's mission.

This week's sermon centers on Mark 9:30-37. It is the story of Jesus' sharing with the disciples, once again, about his coming death and resurrection and the disciples' focus on something else. While Jesus spoke, the disciples focused on who was the greatest among the fellowship. Rev. Shannon Blosser talks about how being great is now about success in the world's eyes. Being great in the kingdom of God is about embracing a posture of welcoming people who are not often heard and giving them a voice and hope.

This week's sermon comes from Acts 2:42-47. Rev. Shannon Blosser touches on the four foundational qualities of the church - teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer. He says they are what is needed, more so, than the qualities of the self that we often see define the church today.

This week's sermon is based on the story of the mother who begs Jesus to heal her daughter. Rev. Shannon Blosser works through the mother's concern through the perspective of those with invisible disabilities who often feel forgotten by the church. He paints a picture of what it means to be a church that is inclusive and welcoming of autistic individuals and their families.

This week's sermon is focused on James 1:19. It offers the classic Christian ethic of "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." Rev. Shannon Blosser talks about what it means to follow this witness as a disciple of Christ, and how it enhances our ability to share God's love today.

Rev. Shannon Blosser continues to examine Jesus' words about eating and drinking his flesh and blood by focusing on how some in the crowd responded to his teaching. The crowds expressed displeasure at the meaning of Jesus' words, and Jesus used the opportunity to engage what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Shannon talks about how it is easy to say we follow Jesus, but more than just words are required to walk with Jesus.

This week's sermon is based around John 6:51-58. Rev. Shannon Blosser talks about what it means to see Jesus as the living bread and how we are called to be filled by Christ's word and presence in our lives.

We live in a time when it seems the concepts of truth and love are viewed as opposites. Ephesians 4:15, though, encourages followers of Christ to live with a mindset of "speaking the truth in love." This week, Rev. Shannon Blosser discusses how speaking the truth in love is vital in our conversations. He says we cannot speak truthfully unless we are willing to love one another in Christ.

In this week's sermon, Rev. Shannon Blosser discusses Ephesians 4:1-12. He specifically focuses on Paul's work with the word unity. He shares what it means, does not mean, and how the body of Christ needs one another to work together.

This week's sermon is focused on Ephesians 3:14-21. Rev. Shannon Blosser talks about some experiences within his family, especially his grandparents, and how our lives are shaped by what defines us. He says that when we are rooted in Christ's love, we will produce fruit that expresses God's love and hope for all.

This week's sermon looks at Mark 6:30-34, 50-53. Rev. Shannon Blosser talks about how the disciples and Jesus were exhausted after a season of ministry, and yet still found a way to meet the needs of the people that came before them. He talks about how followers of Christ are called to find ways to help people and to focus on what can be done and not what cannot be done.

In this week's sermon, Rev. Shannon Blosser talks about why we worship God and in what ways we continue worship beyond Sunday mornings.

This week, Rev. Shannon Blosser looks at Mark 6:1-5. It is the story of Jesus being rejected in his hometown. He focuses on how the people of Nazareth had expectations for Jesus and couldn't get past their image of Jesus. The sermon focuses on our expectations for each other and how we are called to focus on Jesus when we fail to live up to those expectations.