St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Presence of God | Sermon (Fr. Polycarpus Shoukry of@StMarkHTX)

Fr. Polycarpus Shoukry explores the presence of God revealed through signs in everyday life and Scripture. He reflects on how Jesus’ miracles, such as feeding the five thousand and healing the ten lepers, call us to look beyond physical sight and perceive God with spiritual eyes.Fr. Polycarpus emphasizes the importance of seeking God in small moments and ordinary objects, comparing life to a treasure hunt where God's presence is revealed continuously. He highlights that each person is an epistle of Christ, meant to reflect God’s love and truth to the world.Through biblical stories and contemporary examples, Fr. Polycarpus encourages living Scripture fully, becoming a living witness of faith, and recognizing God's presence in our relationships and surroundings. This message invites viewers to deepen their spiritual awareness and connection to God 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

Why Are So Many Spiritually Blind? | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the concept of spiritual blindness through the story of the man born blind in the Gospel. He explains how physical blindness was healed by Christ, while the Pharisees remained spiritually blind by rejecting Him. Fr. Matthias outlines several causes of spiritual blindness, including a lack of self-reflection, self-pity, attachment to beloved sins, pride, reliance on worldly opinions, ignoring the Holy Spirit’s conviction, external ritualism without true repentance, and choosing false counsel. He emphasizes the importance of honest self-examination, humility, and being open to God’s correction in order to receive spiritual sight. Drawing from Scripture and examples of biblical figures, Fr. Matthias calls believers to remain dynamic in their faith, continually seeking truth and transformation through Christ and the Holy Spirit.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 Contentment [Part 1] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the life of contentment by addressing common challenges that affect our happiness. He explains how human nature often leads us to take blessings for granted and focus on imperfections rather than appreciating what we have. Drawing from scripture, Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of thankfulness, avoiding comparisons with others, and setting realistic expectations. He discusses the dangers of living in fantasy and materialism, as well as the struggle with a desire for control, emphasizing trust in God’s plan.Fr. Matthias encourages viewers to invest in spiritual growth, understanding that true contentment comes from focusing on eternal values rather than temporary worldly possessions. He uses biblical parables to illustrate how gratitude and faith can transform perspective and lead to peace amid life’s trials. This talk offers practical spiritual guidance on cultivating lasting contentment grounded in faith.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

Revelation and the End of the World [Part 2] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores key passages from Chapters 12 to 14 of the Book of Revelation, focusing on the symbolic figures of the dragon, the beasts, and the woman representing the Church. He explains the concept of the "anti-Trinity" and the roles of the Beast from the sea and the Beast from the earth, detailing their relationship to Satan’s deception and the persecution of believers.Fr. Matthias discusses the significance of the mark of the Beast, the spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil, and the symbolic meaning of the 144,000 sealed with God’s mark. He addresses the nature of the End Times tribulation, the perseverance required of believers, and the ultimate judgment illustrated by the harvest metaphor.This talk provides an overview of Revelation’s core themes, emphasizing vigilance, faithfulness, and understanding the spiritual choices facing humanity during the final trials, all grounded in Orthodox Christian teachings.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

Why Searching for Christ | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the reasons why people search for Christ, reflecting on the transition from the ministry of St. John the Baptist to that of Jesus Christ. He examines various motives behind people’s pursuit of Christ, such as opposition, misguided desires, seeking earthly riches, justifying actions, craving miracles, and seeking social acceptance. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that many come to Christ for selfish or superficial reasons, rather than out of true repentance and a desire for spiritual transformation.He encourages sincere searching marked by humility, repentance, and a willingness to change according to God’s will. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of bearing spiritual fruit and pursuing eternal life rather than temporary satisfaction. The message calls believers to examine their hearts and motivations and to seek genuine union with Christ.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 Power of God Through Water and Baptism | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the spiritual significance of water and baptism, highlighting how God uses physical elements like water to perform spiritual transformation. Drawing from Scripture, Fr. Matthias discusses water’s role in creation, renewal, deliverance, and healing, citing examples such as the flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, Naaman’s healing, and the restoration of sight to the man born blind.Fr. Matthias explains how baptism unites believers with Christ’s death and resurrection, incorporates them into the body of Christ, and clothes them with Christ’s righteousness. He emphasizes the importance of remembering baptism as a lifelong commitment to live according to God’s commandments, reflecting on the grace and power bestowed through this sacrament. The message connects ancient biblical symbols with the ongoing spiritual renewal available through baptism.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 History of the Liturgy [Part 2] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this detailed talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the history and development of the Christian liturgy, focusing on its origins and evolution across different traditions. He explains the meaning of liturgy as "the work of the people" and discusses the three primary liturgies of the Coptic Church—those of St. Basil, St. Gregory, and St. Cyprian—tracing their roots back to the ancient Liturgy of St. Mark.Fr. Matthias highlights how the liturgy has changed in Rome, Constantinople, and Egypt, noting the influence of political and theological shifts such as the introduction of silent Masses and choir chants. He also emphasizes the unique preservation of the Coptic liturgical tradition amid historical persecutions, making it one of the most authentic connections to early Christian worship.The talk concludes with reflections on liturgical renewal movements in the 20th century across different Christian denominations, stressing how these movements seek to restore early church worship practices. Throughout, Fr. Matthias encourages greater participation and attentiveness in the liturgy as a communal act of faith.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 History of the Liturgy [Part 1] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the origins and development of the Christian liturgy, tracing its roots from the early apostolic tradition to the established rites of the fourth century. He explains how the Liturgy was initially transmitted orally by the apostles, based on teachings of Christ after His resurrection, and later documented in response to emerging heresies such as Arianism. Fr. Matthias details the evolution of key liturgies including those of St. Mark, St. Basil, St. Gregory, and St. James, highlighting their distinctive theological emphases and historical contexts. He discusses how the Liturgy of St. Mark, considered the oldest, influenced other liturgical traditions and how localized variations eventually formed the three main liturgies used in the Coptic Church today.This talk covers how liturgical prayers developed to safeguard orthodox faith, the significance of oral tradition, and the theological enrichment of the Liturgy over time.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

Lessons from the Life of King Saul [Part 2] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this continuation of the lessons from the life of King Saul, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores five key spiritual insights. He emphasizes the seriousness of sin through Saul’s repeated disobedience and highlights Saul’s spiritual blindness, focusing on others’ faults while ignoring his own. Fr. Matthias explains that spiritual problems need spiritual solutions, illustrating how Saul’s distress was a reflection of a broken relationship with God, not merely a mental health issue. The dangers of envy are examined through Saul’s resentment toward David’s success. Lastly, he discusses how spiritual decline happens gradually, showing Saul’s transformation from humility to pride and disobedience. Fr. Matthias compares Saul’s approach to sin with David’s, underscoring the importance of repentance and a deep relationship with God as the path to healing and growth.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

Lessons from the Life of King Saul [Part 1] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores lessons from the life of King Saul, focusing on the seriousness of sin and its consequences. He discusses key biblical events where Saul’s disobedience, such as offering a sacrifice himself and sparing Amalekite livestock, led to his rejection by God. Fr. Matthias contrasts Saul’s lack of repentance with King David’s humility in sin, emphasizing the importance of obedience over sacrifice.Fr. Matthias also addresses spiritual blindness, showing how Saul was quick to judge others while ignoring his own sins. Through examples like Jonathan’s honey incident and the misuse of the Ark of the Covenant, he illustrates how sin leads to further problems and how spiritual insight requires self-examination.This message invites reflection on the nature of sin, repentance, and the call to live by God’s commands rather than human reasoning.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