St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

”Life of Faith” by H.H. Pope Shenouda [Part 6] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues the study of H.H. Pope Shenouda III’s book "Life of Faith," exploring the chapter on simplicity of faith. He explains how faith involves accepting God’s truth without relying solely on worldly logic, which can lead to skepticism. Fr. Matthias discusses the nature of miracles, angels, and the need to trust God’s workings beyond human understanding. He highlights the importance of experiencing faith through a personal relationship with God, noting that faith grows through trials, patience, and submission to God’s will.Fr. Matthias also addresses the challenge of submitting to God’s plan without full understanding, illustrating this with biblical examples like Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and the apostles. He emphasizes how faithful submission involves trust, perseverance in prayer, and enduring suffering without grumbling, trusting God’s providence and love. This message encourages believers to cultivate humble and active faith centered on relationship and trust in God’s guidance.Subscribe 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

The Divine Equation | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the concept of the "Divine Equation," illustrating how God's perspective and power differ from human limitations. He reflects on biblical examples such as the feeding of the five thousand, David and Goliath, Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, and Elisha's prophecy during famine, emphasizing how faith in God's ability changes outcomes.Fr. Matthias challenges listeners to trust God's provision in facing personal struggles, whether in marriage, parenting, church service, or battling temptation. He highlights the importance of faith, prayer, and perseverance when human efforts fall short. Using stories from scripture and church history, including the dedication of Archdeacon Habib Gurgus, Fr. Matthias encourages believers to rely on God's unlimited resources rather than their own.The sermon calls for a shift from fear and self-reliance to hope and confidence in God's power to transform the impossible into reality.Subscribe 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

”Woe to the World Because of Offenses” | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad discusses the concept of offenses and stumbling blocks in the Christian life, focusing on their causes and remedies. He explains how distorted portrayals of God and the Church, teaching God's word without living it, promoting human traditions over divine commandments, and neglecting essential doctrines can lead others to stumble. Fr. Matthias also highlights the confusion caused by exposing children to conflicting beliefs and by selectively ignoring Church teachings.He offers remedies such as seeking the true faith through scripture, faithfully following God's commandments despite societal pressure, acknowledging human weakness with humility, and diligently verifying teachings against the Bible. Fr. Matthias calls believers to be examples of faith and light amid a perverse world, guiding others to salvation through their unity, obedience, and authentic Christian witness.Subscribe 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

”A Laborer Is Worthy of His Wages” | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the calling and equipping of those whom God sends to serve, based on the mission of the 70 apostles in Luke 10. He explains that God appoints and provides for His laborers, granting them authority, fellowship, divine protection, and power over spiritual battles. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that service is a faithful response to God’s call, using the gifts and talents He provides not only for personal benefit but for His kingdom.He highlights the importance of serving together in community and representing God through love, unity, and holiness. Fr. Matthias reminds listeners that the true joy in service is not in visible outcomes or successes but in having their names written in heaven. Through diligence and faithfulness, believers participate in God’s work, receiving eternal reward and assurance.Subscribe 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

”Life of Faith” by H.H. Pope Shenouda [Part 5] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this continuation of the study on the book Life of Faith by H.H. Pope Shenouda, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the concept of simplicity of faith. He discusses how simplicity is challenging to attain for intellectuals who often rely on scientific reasoning to evaluate God’s actions. Fr. Matthias explains that faith requires trusting God’s promises even when they transcend human understanding and scientific laws, using biblical examples such as Jonah, David, and the parting of the Red Sea to illustrate this point.He emphasizes that God operates beyond the natural laws of the world and that faith involves accepting God’s work without demanding full explanations. Fr. Matthias contrasts the skepticism born from worldly knowledge with the childlike trust in God Jesus encouraged. He highlights the relationship between faith, prayer, and openness to God’s miracles, encouraging believers to cultivate simplicity of faith in their spiritual journey.Subscribe 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

How to Love Our Enemies? | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Christian teaching on loving our enemies as presented in the Gospel on the Sermon on the Mount. He explains that loving enemies does not mean liking them or enjoying their company, but involves praying for them, forgiving them, and serving them as Christ did. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that this love is a divine gift that requires God’s transformation within us. He highlights the importance of forgiving others by reflecting on the forgiveness we receive from God.Fr. Matthias also discusses practical ways to love by starting with those closest to us, managing disagreements without division, and avoiding creating enemies through assumptions or harsh reactions. He encourages humility, patience, and self-examination before blaming others. The sermon concludes by affirming that true love comes from knowing God and living by His grace, leading to peaceful and fruitful relationships that reflect His love.Subscribe 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

”Life of Faith” by H.H. Pope Shenouda [Part 4] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this teaching from Fr. Matthias Shehad on the "Life of Faith" by H.H. Pope Shenouda, the focus is on understanding the nature and challenges of faith in the believer’s life. Fr. Matthias explores the consequences of deviating from faith, including the dangers of returning to worldly desires, greed, and false knowledge. He emphasizes the importance of a lived faith rooted in a personal relationship with Christ rather than mere intellectual belief.Fr. Matthias also discusses the dynamic nature of faith—how it requires continual growth to withstand trials and spiritual attacks. He highlights examples from scripture, such as Elijah’s boldness, David’s confidence, Peter’s struggles, and Jonah’s hopeful prayer, to illustrate faith’s power to bring peace and fearlessness amid life’s difficulties.The message calls believers to cultivate purity of heart, reverence for God’s constant presence, and humility, living in awareness of eternity and God’s infinite holiness. The teaching encourages perseverance in faith as essential to the Christian journey.Subscribe 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

”Life of Faith” by H.H. Pope Shenouda [Part 3] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of "Life of Faith" by H.H. Pope Shenouda, focusing on the nature and dimensions of faith. He explains faith as a comprehensive trust in God's promises, warnings, and the invisible work of the Holy Spirit, using biblical examples such as Noah, Abraham, and the apostles. Fr. Matthias addresses the challenges of believing in the unseen spiritual realities, including angels and the presence of God in the sacraments like baptism, Eucharist, and confession.He explores different kinds and degrees of faith, from weak or little faith to faith expressed through works, emphasizing that true faith is active and growing. Fr. Matthias also discusses the relationship between faith, trials, and God’s goodness, encouraging believers to maintain faith even when prayers remain unanswered, trusting in God’s greater plan.This teaching presents biblical foundations for understanding faith, the role of the Holy Spirit, and how believers are called to live out their faith daily.Subscribe 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

Renouncing Satan | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the ways Christians are called to renounce Satan, drawing from biblical teachings and the example of Christ. He explains how spiritual warfare begins at baptism with the public renunciation of Satan and continues through daily prayer, repentance, and avoiding sin. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of resisting temptation by relying on God's power rather than our own strength, using the armor of God described in Ephesians.Fr. Matthias also discusses the dangers of seeking relief or help from satanic influences and the necessity of walking in the light by pursuing a life of repentance and confession. He emphasizes forgiveness and warns against giving Satan a foothold through bitterness and unresolved anger. The message underscores that resisting Satan is a continual, daily commitment to living by truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and God's word.Subscribe 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

A Paralyzed Spirit | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of the paralyzed man lowered to Jesus for healing, emphasizing the greater importance of spiritual healing over physical. He discusses different forms of spiritual paralysis, including indifference to God, laziness, stagnation in faith, spiritual blindness, stubbornness against correction, and instability in belief. Each type prevents growth and communication with God, leaving the spirit weak or unresponsive.Fr. Matthias highlights that Jesus first forgave the paralyzed man's sins before healing him physically, showing the priority of spiritual transformation. He encourages viewers to seek spiritual healing and growth through repentance, prayer, and openness to the Holy Spirit. Drawing on scripture, he calls believers to recognize and overcome spiritual paralysis, focusing on the spiritual wisdom that leads to a meaningful relationship with God.Subscribe 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