St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the biblical foundation and spiritual meaning of a Godly marriage, emphasizing that marriage was created by God before the fall of man as a union intended for companionship, support, and spiritual growth. He explains how marriage is designed to be a supernatural covenant sustained by the Holy Spirit, with God at its center, and highlights the significance of sacrifice, mutual support, and shared goals rooted in faith.Fr. Matthias discusses common struggles couples face, including internal and external stresses, and stresses the importance of commitment and ongoing sanctification in marriage. He also addresses frequent questions about shifting goals, the role of forgiveness, boundaries with other couples, and the purpose of having children in a Godly marriage. Throughout, he encourages couples to rely on God’s grace and develop habits like prayer, communication, and self-sacrificial love to build a lasting, fulfilling relationship.#GodlyMarriage #ChristianMarriage #FaithAndMarriage #MarriageInChrist #SpiritualMarriage #HolySpiritInMarriage #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 Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Book of 2nd Maccabees, focusing on its historical and spiritual context within the intertestamental period. He explains how this deuterocanonical book, not included in most Protestant Bibles but recognized in Orthodox tradition, presents a theological perspective on the Jewish resistance against the Seleucid Empire and the desecration of the temple.Fr. Matthias traces the background of Antiochus IV Epiphanes’ attempts to Hellenize the Jews and the heroic efforts of the Maccabean family to reclaim and purify the temple, which led to the establishment of the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). He also discusses how the Prophet Jeremiah hid the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle in a cave to protect them during exile, connecting past and present acts of faithfulness.This study delves into the spiritual significance of these events, highlighting God’s protection over His people and their worship, as well as the importance of remembering the covenant through liturgical traditions.#2ndMaccabees #BibleStudy #OrthodoxChristianity #ArkOfTheCovenant #Hanukkah #FrMatthiasShehad #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 Bible study on 2nd Peter 3, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the themes of the second coming of Christ, the warnings about false teachers, and the importance of being prepared for the day of judgment. He emphasizes the continuity of God’s plan from the prophets through the apostles and the need for believers to remain vigilant amidst doubts about Christ’s return. Fr. Matthias explains that God's apparent delay in the second coming is due to His patience, allowing time for repentance.He also discusses the final destruction of the earth and heavens by fire and the promise of a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. Fr. Matthias addresses common questions about judgment, resurrection, and how Christians should live in anticipation of Christ’s return, highlighting the ongoing spiritual struggle and the call to live godly lives. The study concludes with an exhortation to persevere in faith and avoid being led astray by false teachings.#SecondComing #BibleStudy #2Peter3 #FaithAndJudgment #ChristianLiving #FalseTeachers #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 2 Peter 1:9-2:22, emphasizing the call for Christians to pursue holiness and spiritual growth through virtues such as faith, perseverance, and love. He explains that genuine faith results in transformation and warns against a superficial Christianity that ignores sanctification.Fr. Matthias addresses the danger of false teachers who distort Scripture for personal gain, leading others astray with destructive heresies. He highlights their characteristics, including pride, covetousness, and ignorance, and underscores the seriousness of divine judgment on such individuals.The teaching also reflects on the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies witnessed by St. Peter, contrasting true apostolic faith with the deceit of false doctrines. Fr. Matthias calls for vigilance in following the apostolic tradition to safeguard the faith and resist spiritual deception.#BibleStudy #2Peter #ChristianFaith #FalseTeachers #SpiritualGrowth #Sanctification #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 Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores 2nd Peter 1:1-8, focusing on what it means to be partakers of the divine nature. He explains the authorship of the epistle, its original audience, and its purpose as St. Peter’s final encouragement before his death. Fr. Matthias discusses how believers receive divine power through faith and the process of sanctification, highlighting the virtues that grow in a Christian’s life: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.He emphasizes the importance of living out faith as a transformation that reflects God’s character, not merely as knowledge or duty. The study also addresses the relationship between faith, diligence, and spiritual growth, encouraging a lifestyle centered on the hope of eternal life and the kingdom of heaven.#BibleStudy #2Peter #DivineNature #ChristianGrowth #FaithInChrist #SpiritualTransformation #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 talk, Sarah Iskander, PharmD, MS, LPC-A, NCC, explores how the power of our thoughts significantly impacts our relationships with our partners. Sarah begins by explaining the cognitive triangle from cognitive behavioral therapy, showing how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors, shaping marital interactions. She contrasts unhelpful, distress-maintaining thoughts like innocent victimhood and righteous indignation with healthier, compassionate perspectives that foster peace and understanding.Sarah discusses the importance of self-soothing during conflict and encourages replacing negative thoughts with balanced ones to nurture empathy and patience. Drawing on Christian teachings, she highlights how choosing gentleness and self-denial, modeled by Christ, can transform marriages despite struggles. Sarah also emphasizes the role of prayer and spiritual growth in guiding thoughts toward love and unity.This talk offers practical tools and reflections to help couples identify and shift their inner dialogue for stronger, more peaceful marriages aligned with faith and grace.#ChristianMarriage #FaithAndRelationships #PowerOfThoughts #ChristianCounseling #MarriageInChrist #SpiritualGrowth #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 1 John 2:7-3, focusing on the commandment of love as both old and new—rooted in Scripture yet fulfilled through Christ’s teachings. He clarifies the call to love as God loves, emphasizing love for others as essential to abiding in the light and fellowship with God and the church. Fr. Matthias discusses the dangers of worldly attachments, sin as lawlessness, and the reality of antichrists who lead believers astray.He addresses different life stages, encouraging children, youth, and elders in their unique spiritual journeys. The meaning of being children of God, surpassing angels and creation, highlights God’s incomprehensible love and our call to purity. Practical love, demonstrated through actions and sacrifice, is central to living out faith. Fr. Matthias concludes with the promise of eternal life for those who keep God’s commandments and abide in the Son and the Father through the Spirit.#1John2 #ChristianLove #BibleStudy #ChristIsLight #ChildrenOfGod #SpiritualJourney #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 enunciation in Luke 1, where Archangel Gabriel announces to St. Mary that she will bear the Son of God. He explores the unique honor given to Mary and how she carried it with humility.Fr. Matthias highlights five key lessons from Mary’s response: she never considered herself worthy of this honor, accepted God's will without debate, embraced her role as a servant of the Lord, prioritized serving others, and knew much yet spoke little. Through these points, he emphasizes the importance of humility, obedience, and service in bearing honor.This sermon challenges viewers to consider their own response to honor and how to serve God's plan with a heart like Mary’s, focused on the greater good rather than personal glory.#MaryMotherOfGod #ArchangelGabriel #ChristianHumility #BearerOfHonor #ServeGodFaithfully #StMarySermon #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 discusses the virtue of silence through the lens of the Annunciation of the birth of St. John the Baptist. He explores how silence serves as a time of inward reflection, helping us focus on self-examination and spiritual growth. Fr. Matthias explains that silence enhances our prayer life by turning our desire to communicate inward toward God, deepening our connection with Him.He highlights how silence fosters humility by curbing the urge to seek attention through constant talking and promotes wisdom by encouraging attentive listening and thoughtful speech. Fr. Matthias also connects silence to inner peace, showing how restraint from unnecessary communication guards us from conflicts and distractions.Drawing from scriptural references and the example of saints like St. Arsenios, Fr. Matthias encourages practicing silence as a spiritual discipline to cultivate self-control, humility, and a closer relationship with God.#ChristianSermon #VirtueOfSilence #SpiritualGrowth #PrayerLife #ChristianHumility #InnerPeace #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 Zacchaeus, who sought to see Jesus despite the obstacles presented by the crowd. Fr. Matthias reflects on how other people can become obstacles to our spiritual growth through comparison, rivalry, obsession with others’ opinions, rejection, embarrassment about admitting faults, and inability to forgive. He emphasizes Zacchaeus’s determination to see Christ, his joyful repentance, and his willingness to make restitution as key lessons.Fr. Matthias challenges listeners to focus on their relationship with God rather than the judgments or distractions of others. He urges believers to persevere in faith, seek genuine repentance, forgive sincerely, and pursue salvation wholeheartedly. The sermon highlights the importance of overcoming social and personal barriers in order to encounter the Lord and receive His grace.#Zacchaeus #ChristianSermon #FaithOverFear #Repentance #Forgiveness #SpiritualGrowth #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