Sermons on Higher Calling:

Pastor Appreciation PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 6, 2025

Jesus gives pastors as a loving gift to His church, calling us to honor, support, and pray for them as they shepherd and serve us.

Some of the greatest gifts Jesus gives to His church have names and faces, coffee-stained sermon notes, calloused knees, and tender hearts. They stand at hospital bedsides, whisper prayers in empty sanctuaries, answer phone calls after midnight, and show up again on Sunday with a smile that says, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11

Topics: Pastoral Calling, Celebration

Did Anybody Call While I Was Out? Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Aug 31, 2004

Part 10 in Elijah series - what God’s call is (and isn’t), and what we are to do with it.

1 Kings 19:19-21 – Did Anybody Call While I Was Out? There’s an old legend that tells the story of a maniacal Dutch sea captain who was struggling to round the Cape of Good Hope in the eye of a terrible gale that threatened to sink his ship and all aboard. The sailors warned him to turn ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Come To The Other Side

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Sep 10, 2024

Two disciples were challenged to cross the sea of Galilee. It takes faith to cross over, and we must make the crossing if we ever hope to be in God's will. Crossing over is about moving from where we are to where Jesus is.

“Many years ago, it was decided to put a suspension bridge across a wide gorge. How could they build a bridge across such a wide space? If fact, how could they even start? They shot an arrow from one side to the other. The arrow carried across the gulf a tiny thread, and thus the connection was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Got A Way Of Surprising The Room PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2025

God chooses and equips the overlooked, valuing the heart over appearance, and invites us to trust His presence and purpose in our ordinary lives.

Have you ever felt unseen? Like the world is busy measuring muscles and metrics while your quiet faithfulness hums in the background? Perhaps you walked in carrying a silent ache: overlooked at work, underestimated at home, uncertain about tomorrow. If that’s you, take heart. The God who counts ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Topics: Divine Equipping, Calling

So You Call Yourself A Pastor 4 Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 25, 2009

Exposition of the last part of Paul’s charge to the Ephesian elders

Text: Acts 20:32-38, Title: So You Call Yourself a Pastor 4, Date/Place: NRBC, 2/22/09, AM A. Opening illustration: Karl Marx, died in 1883 with these last words… “Go on, get out - last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, d.1170 “I am ready to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:32-38

Denomination: Baptist

"Gods Looking For Fighters Not Fakers”

Contributed by Sean Dees on Feb 7, 2020

There is no need to fight in others armor/anointing when God has called and equipped you to fight in your own tailored armor.

(32) And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. (33) And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth (37) David said ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-33

When God Calls Your Name: Moses Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Sep 11, 2021

How would you respond if God called your name not once, but twice? In the Bible, God calls plenty of people often by name, but I’ve only found seven times where God calls out someone’s name twice in a row. In each instance, what follows is a life-changing encounter with the God of creation.

When God Calls Your Name… Twice: Moses Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/31/2016 For the last couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about how you might respond if God called your name—not just once, but twice. As I mentioned before, God calls plenty of people in the Bible often ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Let's Take The Next Level To Jesus

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Sep 16, 2009

We need to go higher in Jesus and stop being comfortable at the level we are.

“Let’s take the next level to Jesus” 1st Corinthians 2 : 9 – 16 This scripture is talking about how there are things in God which can only be revealed by the spirit of God to the spiritual minded individual. A carnal mind is enmity against God and is unable to understand the things God has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Denomination: Apostolic

Friend Of God

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

God calls us His friend.

Friend Of God John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Hushai ? The latter half of I Chronicles chapter 27, details the names and ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Harvest Festival

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 20, 2001

The fields are white unto harvest. Harvest stands in a 4,000 plus year tradition, yet Jesus took it to a higher plane - the call to reap a spiritual harvest. The three keys to this harvest are: The Seed, the Season and the Servants.

Harvest Festival Stiffkey 07-10-01 Hunworth/Bale 14-10-01 Take my words, Father and use them to give us a deeper appreciation of the Harvest in which you have such a great interest. Amen Harvest Festival is a time when we give thanks to God for ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:1-17, John 4:27-42

Denomination: Anglican

The Passport Of Saint Who Series

Contributed by Timothy Andrew Stephens on Jul 21, 2011

Throughout His Word God calls us to live as aliens in a foreign land. Don't get so comfortable here that you miss the adventure of a God focused life.

The Passport of Saint Who 1 Peter 2:4-12 I Peter 2: 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-12

James The Son Of A Soccer Mom Series

Contributed by Kevin Landis on Sep 20, 2007

Disciple James

Do you have someone at your workplace that is always promoting themselves? Perhaps your kids play on a sports team and there is always a particular parent that is brown nosing the coach so their kid can get more playing time. This is exactly how Jesus’ disciples felt when James and John’s momma ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Holiness! Know What You Are In Christ! Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on May 4, 2014

We must make the willful decision/choice as believers to know what we are as a Christian... We are set aside by God for God to live our lives as a testament TO Him... Walk Worthy!

Sermon Brief Date Written: April 25, 2014 Date Preached: April 27, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series in 1 Corinthians Sermon Title: Called to Holiness! Know What You Are! Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 [ESV] Essence of the Text: Paul wanted the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

God's Ring Tone

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jan 18, 2015

Like Samuel and Eli, we don't always initially recognize God's Ring Tone, but God is calling to us, and our job is to listen.

As most of you know, I had planned to be at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, completing an intense Mini-MBA course this past week. But last Sunday afternoon, I had a strong sense that I wasn’t supposed to go. As I told that to (my husband) Gary and then to Wanda (our congregational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Pay Attention To Your Ministry

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 20, 2012

Hold in high esteem the call of God in your life

Take Heed To The Ministry Col 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. To hold in esteem or respect take into account; consider. To take care of Ministry-attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively aid, (official) ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:17

Denomination: Pentecostal