St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

H.G. Bishop Youssef explains the signs of the end times by drawing from Christ’s teaching in Matthew 24, the letters of Saint Paul, and the Book of Revelation. H.G. Bishop Youssef outlines the preaching of the Gospel to the whole world, the spread of apostasy, the appearance of false prophets and the Antichrist, and the coming of great tribulation, emphasizing the need for discernment and faithfulness .H.G. Bishop Youssef discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in restraining lawlessness, the mission of Elijah and Enoch during the tribulation, and the eventual return of Israel to faith in Christ, leading to spiritual revival. He explains that these events call believers to endurance rather than fear.H.G. Bishop Youssef concludes by urging watchfulness, repentance, and readiness for the Second Coming of Christ, trusting that the Lord remains victorious and present with His people.#EndTimes #SecondComing #BiblicalProphecy #HolySpirit #Faithfulness #Watchfulness #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the spiritual benefits of temptation, especially during the Great Fast. He explains how temptations reveal our inner passions, which are the true source of sin, and how they distort our perception of reality. Fr. Matthias highlights that through temptation, we gain self-knowledge, identifying weaknesses that need to be fought and overcome through fasting, prayer, and repentance.He discusses how passions, though often corrupted, were originally intended for good and must be redirected towards holiness. Temptations also foster humility by reminding us of our reliance on God, preventing pride. Finally, Fr. Matthias emphasizes that understanding our own weaknesses helps us avoid judging others, encouraging mercy and compassion.This message encourages embracing spiritual warfare as a path to growth, perseverance, and deeper communion with God during times of fasting.#SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTemptation #GreatFast #FrMatthiasShehad #FaithAndFasting #OvercomingSin #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. James Gendi explores the different forms of disobedience and their impact on our spiritual lives. Drawing from biblical examples like Pharaoh, the rich ruler, and the Pharisees, Fr. James explains how disobedience can manifest as proud refusal, partial obedience, delayed obedience, obedient complaining, and questioned obedience. He emphasizes that true obedience requires full surrender to God's commandments, not selective or reluctant compliance.Fr. James also highlights sincere obedience as the ideal form, illustrated by the struggles of Saint Peter and Saint Simon the Tanner, showing how genuine repentance and wholehearted commitment to God lead to spiritual growth.This message challenges listeners to examine their own attitudes toward obedience and encourages pursuing a sincere relationship with God, reminding us that our obedience determines whether we belong to the kingdom of heaven or fall into division and separation.#ChristianObedience #SpiritualGrowth #FaithAndObedience #BiblicalTeachings #SermonOnDisobedience #ObedienceToGod #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the parable of the prodigal son to reveal the nature of the Father's love. He highlights how the father’s love is shown through granting free will, allowing his sons to experience the consequences of their choices without immediate rescue. Fr. Matthias explains how the father created positive memories that encouraged the son’s return and how he welcomed the prodigal son without blame or reproach. He also discusses the father's humility in dealing with his older son and his patient, loving response to both sons’ attitudes.Fr. Matthias connects these aspects to God's love for humanity, emphasizing that God’s love includes freedom, patience, humility, and forgiveness. This message offers insight into how God continuously invites us back into His grace regardless of our mistakes.#FathersLove #ProdigalSon #GodsGrace #ChristianSermon #Forgiveness #FaithJourney #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the power of forgiveness and God’s role in it. He explains that baptism brings forgiveness and renewal, wiping away all sins and original sin, allowing believers to enter into salvation. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that God’s forgiveness leads to spiritual refreshment, removing guilt and shame, and freeing us from the darkness of sin. He highlights that God completely forgets confessed sins and does not hold grudges, offering mercy even when forgiveness is not earned. The forgiveness God grants breaks the bonds of sin, empowering believers to overcome addiction and temptation over time, as illustrated by the story of St. Moses the Strong. Fr. Matthias concludes by noting that God's forgiveness is an expression of His mercy and love, independent of human merit. In a follow-up message, he will discuss humanity’s responsibility to forgive others.#Forgiveness #GodsMercy #ChristianSermon #SpiritualRenewal #FaithInGod #BaptismAndSalvation #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the dynamic role of forgiveness in the Christian life, emphasizing the cooperation between God’s healing power and human action. He highlights biblical examples, such as the healing of the man born blind and Naaman the Syrian, to illustrate how faith and obedience are essential for receiving God's grace.Fr. Matthias explains that while God’s forgiveness brings renewal, freedom from sin, and a break from its bonds, believers are called to actively participate through confession, forgiving others without limit, and showing kindness even to those who have caused harm. He distinguishes forgiveness from reconciliation, clarifying that forgiving does not require restoring relationships but involves releasing judgment and hatred.The message underscores the necessity of confession within the Church and encourages kindness as a manifestation of God’s mercy. Fr. Matthias concludes with a call to embrace forgiveness as a pathway to spiritual healing and restoration.#Forgiveness #ChristianFaith #SpiritualHealing #FrMatthiasShehad #GodsGrace #ChristianSermon #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the gospel story of Christ calling Saint Peter and other fishermen to become fishers of men, highlighting moments of transformation in the lives of believers. He examines how encounters with God's blessings, grace, rebuke, and healing serve as turning points for spiritual renewal and change.Fr. Matthias discusses examples from scripture, including Saul’s conversion, King David’s repentance, the prodigal son’s realization, and Job’s humility, to illustrate how God uses various experiences to draw people closer to Him. He emphasizes the importance of meditating on God's word to renew the mind and live according to God’s will.This sermon invites viewers to reflect on their own moments of transformation, encouraging continual repentance and a deeper relationship with God through faith and obedience.#ChristianTransformation #FaithRenewal #SermonOnScripture #GodsGrace #SpiritualRenewal #FishingForMen #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the life and mission of St. John the Baptist as described in Luke chapter one. Fr. Matthias highlights eight key characteristics of St. John’s life, including being raised in the fear of God, living an ascetic and detached life, teaching from personal spiritual experience, and boldly proclaiming the truth without fear of opposition. He emphasizes St. John’s humility in pointing to Christ as greater than himself and the long period of preparation that enabled him to fulfill his mission. Fr. Matthias also discusses St. John’s courage in confronting wrongdoing, his rejection by many, and ultimately his experience of God’s glory, particularly at the baptism of Jesus. Through this reflection, believers are encouraged to cultivate an intimate relationship with God, live sincerely in faith, and remain steadfast in their mission regardless of worldly challenges.#StJohnTheBaptist #ChristianSermon #FaithAndCourage #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #ChristCenteredFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

H.G. Bishop Gregory explores the theme of where true treasure lies, drawing from Matthew 6 and teachings of Christ about not storing up earthly riches. He examines how modern society often focuses on accumulating material possessions, leading to distraction from spiritual growth and preparation for the kingdom of heaven.Bishop Gregory shares a story of a hermit whose attempts to protect a blanket led to unnecessary attachments, illustrating how earthly possessions can become obstacles. He emphasizes the importance of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving during the Great Fast as ways to build treasure in heaven. Drawing on the wisdom of saints like St. Augustine and St. Gregory of Nyssa, he highlights generosity and compassion toward the poor as keys to opening the gates of paradise.Through biblical parables and stories, Bishop Gregory challenges believers to examine where their hearts truly are and invites them to seek Christ as the pearl of great price.#ChristianSermon #TrueTreasure #SpiritualGrowth #KingdomOfHeaven #FaithOverMaterialism #GreatFast #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of the paralyzed man brought to Christ, emphasizing the significance of spiritual healing over physical healing. He explains why Christ first forgave the man's sins before healing his paralysis, highlighting that forgiveness is the healing of the spirit and what truly concerns God. Fr. Matthias discusses the eternal nature of forgiveness, the importance of seeking spiritual gifts over worldly ones, and how God gives us what we need most—even if it involves suffering. He also reveals the profound value of spiritual healing demonstrated by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This message encourages viewers to develop spiritual senses to perceive God’s work beyond the physical and to embrace the lasting gift of salvation that transforms the soul.#ForgivenessInChrist #SpiritualHealing #ChristianSermon #FaithAndSalvation #DivineForgiveness #HealingOfTheSpirit #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhoustonFollow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhoustonFollow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhoustonVisit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org