St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the importance of perseverance in prayer through the parable of the ten virgins, emphasizing how the wise prepared with extra oil while the foolish did not. He explains that prayer is ongoing communication with God, not confined to specific places or times, and encourages maintaining this connection despite challenges or spiritual dryness.Fr. Matthias breaks down the Lord’s Prayer, highlighting its significance as a model for what and how to pray. He addresses the reasons behind unanswered prayers, such as lack of perseverance, misaligned intentions, or God’s will.The sermon stresses the need for persistence and faith in prayer as a vital part of the spiritual journey. Prayer connects believers to God’s presence, sustains spiritual life, and prepares them for salvation, urging listeners to remain steadfast in their prayer life until the end.#PerseveranceInPrayer #FaithfulPrayer #ChristianSermon #PrayerLife #SpiritualGrowth #StayConnectedToGod #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 story of the Samaritan woman from John chapter 4, focusing on Jesus’ encounter at Jacob’s well. He explains the historical and cultural context of Samaria, highlighting the divide between Jews and Samaritans and their differing religious beliefs. Fr. Matthias discusses how Jesus offers “living water,” symbolizing the Holy Spirit and eternal life, shifting the woman’s focus from earthly needs to spiritual truths.The conversation reveals steps in the woman’s spiritual awakening, including confession of her sin and acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah. Fr. Matthias also emphasizes the transition from worshiping in physical locations to worshiping “in spirit and truth,” reflecting the new covenant brought by Christ.He concludes by illustrating the woman’s transformation into an evangelist who spreads the gospel, and reflects on the disciples’ mission to harvest souls ready for salvation. This study sheds light on the deeper meanings within this unique gospel passage and its implications for faith and worship.#BibleStudy #SamaritanWoman #LivingWater #JesusAtJacobsWell #SpiritualAwakening #GospelHarmony #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 life and ministry of John the Baptist, emphasizing his commitment to answering God’s call with seriousness and diligence. He explains how John’s message centered on repentance and preparation for the coming of Christ, delivered with unwavering courage and humility. Fr. Matthias explores John’s austere lifestyle, his rejection of worldly pleasures, and his focus on eternal salvation. He contrasts John’s approach with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and highlights John’s inclusive ministry toward all people, including sinners and outcasts.Fr. Matthias also discusses John’s readiness to confront sin openly, even at great personal cost, and his faithful endurance of suffering and martyrdom. He challenges viewers to examine their own dedication to faith, their willingness to speak truth in love, and their perseverance through trials, drawing inspiration from John’s example as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments.#JohnTheBaptist #FaithfulServant #ChristianSermon #Repentance #GodsCall #EnduranceInFaith #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 episode of the Living Incense Podcast, we reflect on evangelism as a core calling of the Christian life—not as a program, argument, or checklist, but as a natural response to encountering the truth of Christ. Fr. Matthias explains how evangelism has always been central to the life of the Church, from the apostles after Pentecost to the everyday witness of believers today.The conversation explores why evangelism flows from love rather than obligation, how neglecting it can lead the Church to become inward-focused, and why authentic evangelism is rooted in relationships, humility, and personal transformation rather than information alone. We discuss the role of joy, integrity, and daily life as powerful witnesses to the Gospel, as well as the place of the sacraments at the heart of Orthodox evangelism.This episode also addresses common fears and misconceptions, reminding us that success in evangelism is faithfulness, not results, and that every Christian—regardless of personality or knowledge—has a role to play. Evangelism is ultimately about living as a servant of Christ in every place, trusting the Holy Spirit to work through love, patience, and truth.#Evangelism #ChristianLiving #LivingIncense #FaithInAction #WitnessingChrist #OrthodoxFaith #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 encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, as recorded in John chapter 3. He explains Nicodemus’ approach to Jesus by night out of fear and curiosity about salvation. Fr. Matthias examines the necessity of being “born again” to see the kingdom of God, emphasizing the spiritual rebirth through baptism by water and the Spirit. Using analogies such as birth in the womb, he highlights the difference between earthly understanding and heavenly realities.Fr. Matthias also discusses the significance of baptism as a sacrament that combines physical action with spiritual transformation, addressing why infants are baptized and how baptism removes original sin. He outlines Jesus’ role as the divine source of salvation and connects the lifted bronze serpent in the wilderness to Christ’s crucifixion as a symbol of healing and eternal life.Further, Fr. Matthias reflects on the role of John the Baptist and the authority of Christ’s disciples to baptize. He underscores the importance of faith in Christ for eternal life and the rejection of light by those who love darkness. This study deepens understanding of salvation, baptism, and the divinity of Christ from a biblical and theological perspective.#BibleStudy #Nicodemus #BornAgain #Baptism #Salvation #JesusChrist #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 early ministry of Christ through a harmony of the Gospels, focusing on key encounters with the first disciples such as Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel. He highlights the transition from following John the Baptist to following Jesus and emphasizes the invitation "Come and see" as central to experiencing Christianity beyond intellectual understanding. Fr. Matthias explains the significance of Jesus’ first public miracle at the wedding in Cana, linking it to the shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant through symbolic water pots and wine. He also discusses Jesus’ cleansing of the temple during the Passover, addressing the historical and spiritual context of the temple and the meaning behind Jesus’ actions and words about destroying and raising the temple.Throughout, the talk connects biblical events with theological insights about faith, scripture fulfillment, evangelism, and the nature of true belief.#HarmonyOfTheGospels #EarlyMinistryOfChrist #BibleStudy #JesusMiracles #NewCovenant #FaithAndScripture #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 baptism and temptation of Christ, drawing from all four Gospels to highlight the theological significance of these events. He explains John the Baptist's role as the forerunner of Christ and discusses why Jesus’ baptism fulfills both the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing the connection between circumcision and baptism. Fr. Matthias clarifies the distinction between symbolic baptism and sacramental baptism, and the working of the Holy Trinity during Christ's baptism.The discussion moves to the Temptation in the wilderness, detailing each of the three temptations and their spiritual meanings: bodily desire, pride, and lust for power. Fr. Matthias explains how Christ’s experience models spiritual resilience and the interplay between physical actions and spiritual realities. He addresses the importance of scripture in overcoming temptation and reflects on the role of angels in ministering to Christ after his fast.This Bible study deepens understanding of the early ministry of Christ and the spiritual lessons embedded in his baptism and temptation.#ChristBaptism #GospelHarmony #SpiritualTemptation #BibleStudy #HolyTrinity #JohnTheBaptist #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 beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist as recorded in all four Gospels, focusing on his role in preparing the way for Christ. Fr. Matthias explains the significance of John's baptism of repentance in contrast to the sacramental baptism introduced by Jesus. He discusses the historical and spiritual context surrounding John’s ministry, including the roles of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the symbolic meaning behind John’s lifestyle and message.Fr. Matthias highlights the prophecies fulfilled by John’s ministry, his call for genuine repentance characterized by producing good fruit, and his proclamation of the coming Messiah who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. The lecture also addresses the historical setting of Roman rule over Judea and emphasizes the distinctiveness of Christ’s divine incarnation as revealed through John’s witness.#JohnTheBaptist #MinistryOfJohn #GospelHarmony #BibleStudy #ChristianTeaching #Repentance #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

Dr. Emad Mossad explores the Five Love Languages specifically applied to Christian parenting, focusing on how parents can connect deeply with their children through physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. Drawing from scripture and his counseling experience, Dr. Emad emphasizes the importance of understanding each child’s unique love language to fill their emotional “love tank” and foster a lasting bond.He discusses the role of parenting as reflecting God's love, highlighting the challenges of discipline, especially physical discipline, and how to discipline with love rather than punishment. Dr. Emad also addresses loving teenage children during their search for identity, encouraging communication and respect to build bridges rather than walls.This talk is based on Dr. Gary Chapman's framework and offers practical advice for nurturing Godly love in children at every stage of life.#FiveLoveLanguages #ChristianParenting #GodlyLove #ParentingWithLove #DrEmadMossad #FaithBasedParenting #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 his Bible study on the harmony of the Gospels, focusing on the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt and their return to Nazareth. He explores the biblical accounts, especially from Matthew and Luke, and discusses the significance of this event in fulfilling prophecy and revealing Christ’s humility. Fr. Matthias also shares traditions and visions related to the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt, including miracles performed by the young Jesus and the preparation of Egypt for the Christian faith.The talk then shifts to the only biblical episode from Christ’s childhood—his visit to the temple at age twelve—highlighting Jesus’ growth in wisdom, his unique mission, and his relationship with his parents. Fr. Matthias explains how Christ’s divine and human natures interacted during his upbringing, the meaning of temptation, and the purpose behind his earthly life.This study offers a deeper understanding of early events in Jesus’ life and their fulfillment of scripture in the context of God’s plan for salvation.#HarmonyOfTheGospels #FlightToEgypt #ChristInTheTemple #HolyFamilyJourney #BibleStudy #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