St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of Philip and Nathanael to highlight key principles of Christian evangelism. He emphasizes the necessity of encountering Christ personally before sharing the faith with others. Drawing from Philip’s example, Fr. Matthias shows how effective evangelism involves being intentional and purposeful in reaching out to others, motivated by love and a desire for their salvation.The sermon discusses addressing skepticism with invitation rather than argument, encouraging believers to say, "Come and see," inviting others to experience Christ firsthand. Fr. Matthias stresses living the faith authentically to witness its transformative power, rather than relying solely on theological debate. He also reflects on Jesus’ recognition of Nathanael’s sincerity and the importance of affirming the positive in others while leading them toward a deeper relationship with God.This message encourages believers to actively seek out those far from faith and to trust God’s work in their hearts through genuine relationships.#ChristianEvangelism #PhilipAndNathanael #FaithInAction #ComeAndSee #AuthenticWitness #EncounterChrist #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

His Grace Bishop Youssef explains the meaning of Theophany, highlighting its significance as the manifestation of God from above. He clarifies how the feast encompasses key events of Christ’s early life and focuses on Jesus’ baptism as the moment He was anointed by the Holy Spirit.Bishop Youssef discusses Jesus Christ’s roles as King, High Priest, and Prophet, explaining how the anointing fulfills Old Testament prophecies and establishes His unique priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek. He describes the distinctions and connections between these three offices and their significance in delivering salvation and opening the kingdom of Christ.The sermon also explores the spiritual transformation from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the Son of God, and the continuous reign of Christ as King until His second coming. Bishop Youssef emphasizes the importance of this feast in understanding the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.#Theophany #ChristAnointed #BishopYoussef #JesusKingPriestProphet #ChristianSermon #HolySpiritAnointing #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 reflects on the Gospel account of King Herod seeking to destroy the Christ Child and uses this event to explain the Christian understanding of stewardship. Fr. Matthias examines how Herod’s fear of losing power reveals a failure to recognize that authority, leadership, and influence are entrusted by God for a time and are not owned permanently.Fr. Matthias defines stewardship as managing what God has given according to His will, applying this principle to leadership, work, family life, church service, and personal conduct. He explores biblical examples of unfaithful stewardship, including abuse of authority, desire for control, self-indulgence, greed, self-glorification, and resentment toward God.Fr. Matthias concludes by calling believers to live as faithful stewards who serve God rather than self, use their gifts responsibly, act with integrity whether seen or unseen, and remain ready to give an account when the true Master returns.#ChristianStewardship #FaithfulLeadership #GodsAuthority #BiblicalStewardship #ServeGod #HerodAndChristChild #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 Nativity 2019 Episcopal message, H.G. Bishop Yousef reflects on the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises to heal and restore humanity. Bishop Yousef explains how Christ reveals God’s nature—His glory, love, mercy, holiness, and faithfulness—through His life, miracles, and sacrifice. He emphasizes that the incarnation allows humanity to truly see and experience God for the first time, bridging the gap between the divine and human.Bishop Yousef also highlights the significance of Christ’s humility, His call to repentance, and the boundless mercy offered to those who recognize their spiritual need. The message calls believers to embrace God’s love and faithfulness through confession and repentance, while also maintaining the holiness of God’s house. He encourages all to find healing and peace through the ongoing presence of Christ, the servant King.#Nativity2019 #EpiscopalMessage #IncarnationOfChrist #ChristRevealsGod #ChristianSermon #FaithAndHealing #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 reflects on the theme of new beginnings in the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of letting go of past mistakes and burdens. He draws from Scripture and the lives of figures such as St. Paul, the prodigal son, King David, St. Augustine, and Joseph to illustrate how transformation and forgiveness enable believers to move forward without being defined by previous sins or painful experiences.Fr. Matthias discusses two types of baggage people carry: sins and mistakes, and painful experiences beyond one’s control. He encourages trust in God's mercy and forgiveness as the foundation for spiritual renewal. Drawing on biblical examples, he highlights God’s power to create all things anew, offering hope for healing and growth in faith. This message invites viewers to embrace each day as a fresh opportunity to live in God’s grace.#NewBeginnings #ChristianRenewal #GodsMercy #SpiritualTransformation #ForgivenessInChrist #AllThingsNew #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 parable of the sower, focusing on what it means to be the "good ground" that patiently bears fruit through spiritual growth. He emphasizes the importance of patience in the Christian life, explaining that transformation takes time and struggles build faith. Fr. Matthias illustrates how waiting is necessary for God’s will to be revealed, prayers to be answered, and justice to be executed. He highlights that God’s blessings often come in unexpected ways during this waiting period, shaping believers beyond their initial requests.The sermon addresses the challenges of maintaining faith amid delayed answers and encourages persistent prayer, trust in God’s timing, and forgiveness. Finally, Fr. Matthias reflects on the ultimate reward awaiting believers in heaven, motivating patience and perseverance in living according to God’s way. This teaching offers guidance on enduring spiritual trials while nurturing lasting fruitfulness in faith.#ChristianFaith #PatienceInChrist #SpiritualGrowth #ParableOfTheSower #FaithAndEndurance #GodsTiming #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 encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler, focusing on how Christ expresses His love during their conversation. Fr. Matthias explains that Jesus gives the man His undivided attention, reveals his heart’s true condition, and calls him to follow God's commandments as a form of protection and guidance. He emphasizes how Christ invites us into His ministry, empowers us to do what is impossible by ourselves through the Holy Spirit, and promises a great eternal reward for faithfulness.Fr. Matthias also highlights the reversal of social order in God’s kingdom, where the first will be last and the last first, assuring that ultimate justice comes from God. Throughout the message, the rich young ruler’s story illustrates the reality of spiritual attachment, the challenge of surrender, and the depth of divine love available to all believers.#JesusLove #RichYoungRuler #FaithJourney #ChristianSermon #GodsKingdom #HolySpiritEmpowerment #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 explores the parable of the sower, focusing on the seed that falls among thorns as a metaphor for how materialism and the desire for wealth can choke the Word of God in our lives. He discusses the difference between needing resources and the lust for riches, emphasizing that the problem lies in the desire for more rather than wealth itself.Fr. Matthias highlights biblical teachings on contentment, the danger of comparing ourselves to others, and how love for money can blind us to the needs of others. He examines signs of materialism such as an insatiable desire for more, difficulty letting go of possessions, showing off wealth, mistreating the poor, exploiting others, and even disobeying God for financial gain.Using Scripture passages including 1 Timothy 6, Luke 16, and Proverbs, Fr. Matthias calls for self-reflection on where our true treasure lies and encourages humility, generosity, and spiritual integrity over the pursuit of wealth.#ChristianLiving #MaterialismSermon #BibleTeaching #FaithOverWealth #ContentmentInChrist #SpiritualIntegrity #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 Christian concept of Thanksgiving and its significance in living a joyful life despite trials. He emphasizes that gratitude influences our outlook, shaping whether we experience joy or misery, independent of external circumstances.Fr. Matthias discusses four key aspects of Thanksgiving: sacrifice, self-examination, prayer, and rejoicing. He explains the biblical foundation of sacrifice as an expression of love and gratitude toward God, contrasting Old Testament animal sacrifices with the New Testament call to offer ourselves as holy living sacrifices. Self-examination involves continual renewal and holiness, enabling us to present a pure offering to God.Prayer is presented as a sacrificial act of dedicating time and effort to God, not just a routine task. Finally, rejoicing flows naturally from genuine Thanksgiving, rooted in a relationship with God rather than shifting life circumstances. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of maintaining a stable joy based on God's unchanging presence and salvation.#ChristianThanksgiving #FaithAndGratitude #JoyInChrist #SacrificialLiving #PrayerAndPraise #SpiritualRenewal #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. James Gendi explains the Parable of the Sower, emphasizing the importance of being the "good ground" that bears fruit through the Word of God. He highlights that the seed represents Scripture, which must be consistently read, correctly understood, and deeply meditated on to transform our lives. Fr. James stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers bear spiritual fruit and the necessity of cooperating with God’s commandments, including refraining from sin, practicing forgiveness, and embracing encouragement from Scripture.He underscores the responsibility to teach God’s Word diligently to children and surround our lives with its message. Fr. James connects bearing fruit to living out the faith practically and being united with Christ as members of His body. This teaching offers guidance on cultivating a fruitful spiritual life rooted in Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God and the benefit of others.#ParableOfTheSower #FruitfulFaith #HolySpiritFruit #ChristianLiving #ScriptureMeditation #FaithInAction #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