Stratford Heights Church of God

Driving It Home - Are You Living Your Faith on Autopilot?

Pastor Ray Phillips walks through the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10, verse 25, and challenges the idea that this well-known story is simply about being kind. Instead, Jesus confronts religious pride, prejudice, and the excuses we use to justify our silence, indifference, and spiritual complacency. Pastor Ray asks the questions that cut straight to the heart: Who is my neighbor? Who have you passed by? And is the Word of God actually reading you, or are you just reading it? This Christian sermon on compassion, discipleship, and authentic faith is a wake-up call for anyone who has ever caught themselves living on spiritual "autopilot."

A Place Called Home

What does home really mean to you? In this heartfelt message from the Windows in the Word series, Pastor Richard McIntosh explores what makes a house a home — love, protection, growth, grace, fun, and fellowship — and asks a powerful question: if someone looked through the windows of our church, what kind of family would they see? Drawing from the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, Pastor Richard challenges every believer to move past being a face in the crowd and truly become a church family that sees each other, cares for each other, and makes room for one more. Whether you're feeling fulfilled and ready to invite someone in, or you've ever quietly thought "I wish I had friends," this sermon on Christian community, belonging, and biblical love is for you. Learn how simple, intentional acts of compassion — a listening ear, a hug, your story, your time — can transform a congregation into a true family in Christ. This message also introduces Stephen Ministry, a one-on-one caring ministry for anyone walking through a difficult season. Watch, be encouraged, and discover your place in the body of Christ. Please like, share, and subscribe for more weekly sermons, Bible teaching, and messages of faith, hope, and encouragement.

Shackled Freedom Unshackled

Pastor Mike walks through Acts 16 and the story of Paul and Silas — beaten, chained, and thrown into the inner prison, yet praying and singing praises in complete freedom. Reading from the Passion Translation, he asks a question every believer needs to wrestle with: if Christ has set us free, why do so many of us still walk into church shackled? This sermon unpacks how real freedom is an inside-out work of the Holy Spirit, not a change in our outside circumstances.

Fathers On The Frontline

Mark chapter 9 and the story of the desperate father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. This is not a sermon about being a perfect dad — it's about the kind of father who stays in the fight, who won't quit, and who keeps believing even when his faith is tired, wounded, or afraid. Through the father's honest cry, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief," we discover that God honors fathers who simply refuse to give up and who know how to get their children to the feet of Jesus.

Running on Empty — Are You Ready for the Return of Jesus?

In this powerful message titled "Running on Empty," Pastor Ray Phillips opens Matthew 25:1-13 and the Parable of the Ten Virgins to ask one searching question: when the Bridegroom comes, will you be ready? Drawing on 37 years of ministry and decades of standing beside hospital beds, caskets, and grieving families, Pastor Ray reminds us that life is short and eternity is long, and that all ten virgins looked the same on the outside — the only difference was the oil in their lamps. This sermon on the Second Coming, the rapture of the church, and the soon return of Jesus Christ challenges believers to move beyond church attendance, religious activity, and head-knowledge into a real, surrendered relationship with the Lord.