St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the biblical example of Christ's ministry to illustrate how to lift others correctly and warns against common misconceptions rooted in worldly thinking. He begins by reviewing Christ’s ways of uplifting people through inclusion, patience, mercy, and equitable reward. Fr. Matthias then addresses ways not to lift others, emphasizing that true love sometimes requires confronting sin and defending God's truth rather than tolerating irreverence or compromising for approval.He highlights Christ’s actions in cleansing the temple and His direct rebukes to emphasize the importance of upholding holiness and truth. Fr. Matthias stresses that Christians must stand firm in their faith, correcting sin and proclaiming the narrow path of salvation without relativism, even if it leads to offense or rejection. This message encourages believers to balance mercy with justice and actively pursue the spiritual well-being of others in alignment with Scripture.#ChristianFaith #SpiritualGrowth #BiblicalTeaching #FaithAndTruth #LivingTheGospel #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

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores why Christ singles out individuals from a crowd to perform miracles and offer healing. Using biblical stories such as the healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof, the widow’s son raised from the dead, and the faith of the Centurion, Fr. Matthias highlights key qualities that attract Christ’s attention. These include great love, extreme need, strong faith, fearlessness of ridicule, patience, persistence despite disappointment, and boldness.Fr. Matthias emphasizes that Christ sees beyond the crowd to those who demonstrate a distinct love and faith, encouraging believers to remain faithful and bold in their pursuit of Christ despite challenges. The sermon calls for patience and perseverance, assuring that God responds to sincere seekers according to His will. This message invites viewers to reflect on their own faith and encourages continuous trust in God’s timing and provision.#ChristianFaith #HealingMiracles #TrustInGod #FaithAndPerseverance #SeekChrist #BoldFaith #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 continues the sermon series on loving oneself by explaining Christ’s commandment to love your neighbor as yourself and what healthy self-love looks like in the Christian life. Fr. Matthias reviews what loving oneself is not, including narcissism, pride, selfishness, and seeking recognition, and then expands on what true self-love means through identity in Christ, recognizing God-given purpose, and believing that God works even through weakness and failure .Fr. Matthias discusses the importance of admitting faults, confessing sins, and maintaining a balanced view of strengths and weaknesses without falling into despair or self-deception. He explains how spiritual growth requires ongoing struggle, repentance, and perseverance rather than giving up after failure.Fr. Matthias concludes by examining contentment with God’s calling, appreciating one’s role and abilities, and learning to love others rightly by first understanding and valuing oneself according to Christ.#ChristianSelfLove #LoveYourNeighbor #FaithInChrist #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianSermon #IdentityInChrist #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 meaning of loving oneself in relation to Christ’s command to love your neighbor as yourself. He clarifies what self-love is not, distinguishing it from narcissism, pride, selfishness, and seeking recognition. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that true self-love is rooted in understanding one’s identity in Christ, recognizing that our value comes from being God’s children rather than from talents, achievements, or status.He discusses the importance of embracing our unique purpose as part of God’s plan and trusting that God can use us even in our brokenness and weaknesses. Fr. Matthias highlights that God’s grace and acceptance remain despite our failures, encouraging believers to view themselves realistically and with humility. This sermon sets the foundation for deeper reflection on how to love oneself according to God’s design.#ChristianSelfLove #LoveYourNeighbor #IdentityInChrist #GodsGrace #FaithAndHumility #PurposeInChrist #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 five key lessons from the life of St. John the Baptist, focusing on the beginning of Christ’s ministry and John’s role as the forerunner. He highlights how John spent many years in private preparation for a short but impactful ministry, emphasizing patience and readiness in our own spiritual journeys.Fr. Matthias discusses John’s unwavering commitment to truth, even facing death without compromise, and his boldness in speaking truth to those in power. He explains John’s focus on Christ’s success rather than his own, illustrating the call for humility and selflessness in Christian service.Finally, he reflects on John’s influence despite lacking earthly titles, encouraging believers to serve faithfully where they are. This message invites deeper reflection on preparation, courage, and humility in living out faith.#StJohnTheBaptist #ChristianSermon #FaithLessons #SpiritualPreparation #ChristianHumility #BoldnessInFaith #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 signs and warnings about the end times based on Matthew 24, where Christ speaks about what will happen before His second coming. He outlines five key threats: the war against truth with false prophets deceiving many, the loss of peace amidst global conflict and natural disasters, persecution of believers in physical, mental, moral, and spiritual forms, a spirit of confusion causing uncertainty, and widespread lawlessness diminishing love.Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of vigilance against deception, not being troubled by current events, and maintaining faith through prayer and patience. He reminds believers that these troubling days will be limited in duration and that Christ will ultimately return to gather His elect. The message encourages staying alert, discerning truth, and relying on God’s protection during times of trial.#EndTimes #Matthew24 #SecondComing #FaithInTrials #ChristianAlert #StayVigilant #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 theme of deception as a sign of the end times, emphasizing the importance of spiritual watchfulness. He identifies three primary deceivers: Satan, other people, and our own hearts, with the heart being the most deceptive.Fr. Matthias explains how Satan exploits our desires, how society and media influence our values, and how self-deception manifests through justifying decisions, blaming others, distorting self-perception, postponing repentance, retaliating against wrongs, and minimizing sin through euphemisms.He encourages self-examination, repentance, and vigilance against these deceptions to prepare for the coming judgment. Fr. Matthias calls believers to live above worldly standards, embracing truth and repentance as the path to forgiveness and spiritual readiness.#SpiritualWatchfulness #EndTimesSermon #ChristianRepentance #FightDeception #FaithAndTruth #SermonOnDeception #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. Benjamin Abouelkheir explores the concept of having a "good eye" versus a "bad eye" in this sermon, examining how our perspective shapes our experience of the world. He uses biblical examples to illustrate how some people see the negative in every situation, while others focus on the good. Fr. Benjamin discusses different types of "bad eyes," including jealousy, fault-finding, lust, pride, suspicion, and greed, and explains their spiritual consequences.He emphasizes that the key to a good eye is love and compassion, encouraging listeners to seek this as a gift from God. Practical advice is given on guarding what we allow our eyes to see, meditating on what is good and noble, and examining our hearts in confession. Fr. Benjamin reminds us that how we choose to view our circumstances impacts our inner peace and those around us, inviting us to live with optimism and grace.#GoodEyeBadEye #FrBenjaminAbouelkheir #ChristianSermon #SpiritualPerspective #BiblicalTeaching #FaithAndCompassion #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 calling of Levi the tax collector and its significance for Christian discipleship and evangelism. He explains how Christ’s invitation is extended to sinners who are willing to repent, emphasizing that no one is truly righteous and all need transformation through repentance.Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of fully responding to Christ’s call by leaving behind old lifestyles, hosting God in daily life, and making a complete spiritual renewal. He discusses the role of the Church and the sacraments in healing and enabling believers to live according to God’s will.The sermon underscores the necessity of commitment to change, resisting the temptation to return to former habits, and following Christ wholeheartedly. Fr. Matthias calls believers to embrace the journey of repentance and transformation as a continuous and active response to God’s invitation.#ChristianDiscipleship #CallToRepentance #FollowingChrist #SpiritualRenewal #FaithJourney #TransformationInChrist #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 explains the parable of the wicked vine dressers, highlighting how God is the true owner of everything—including the earth, the Church, our families, and our bodies—and we are merely stewards entrusted to care for His vineyard. Drawing connections between scripture and daily life, Fr. Matthias emphasizes the responsibility to yield spiritual fruit and manage what God entrusts to us with faithfulness and obedience.He discusses the church’s role as God’s institution, the sacredness of marriage as God's union, and the importance of raising children in the fear of God. Fr. Matthias also reminds viewers that God’s patience invites repentance, but rejecting His call leads to consequences. This message encourages believers to recognize God’s ownership and to live as faithful stewards, producing fruit that glorifies Him alone.#GodsVineyard #ChristianStewardship #FaithfulServants #SpiritualFruit #GodsOwnership #WitnessingChrist #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