St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the challenges of dealing with difficult people, examining why certain individuals behave in challenging ways and how our own weaknesses contribute to these dynamics. He discusses different types of difficult personalities including critics, controllers, victims, passive-aggressive individuals, narcissists, and complainers, highlighting their behaviors and underlying motivations.Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own difficult traits before judging others. He explains how dealing with difficult people can become an opportunity for personal growth, patience, humility, and spiritual maturity. Drawing on Scripture and real-life examples, he addresses how faith and prayer support maintaining peace and kindness in challenging relationships.This talk is part one of a series focused on improving interactions with difficult people through understanding, acceptance, and Christian principles.#ChristianLiving #DealingWithDifficultPeople #SpiritualGrowth #FaithAndPatience #ChristianTeaching #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

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the fear of death by examining its spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical dimensions. He explains that death is not the end of life but a separation of the body from the immortal spirit. Fr. Matthias discusses how sin introduced various forms of death, including spiritual separation from God and corruption of emotions and intellect.He highlights the role of faith, repentance, and participation in the sacraments like baptism and the Eucharist as essential for overcoming the fear of death. The resurrection of Christ is presented as the central hope that transforms death from a source of destruction into a passage to eternal life. Fr. Matthias also reflects on mourning, the promise of reunion in the afterlife, and the need to live seriously in accordance with God’s guidance to prepare for judgment.This talk addresses Christian teachings on death, salvation, and how believers can find peace through faith.#FearOfDeath #ChristianHope #ResurrectionOfChrist #FaithOverFear #EternalLife #ChristianTeaching #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 how God prepares us for salvation by correcting our mistakes, using biblical examples to illustrate this process. Starting with Zecharias, whose doubt led to a period of silence, he explains how correction fosters deeper faith. Fr. Matthias highlights Moses’ transformation through his struggles with anger and leadership, Jonah’s disobedience and eventual obedience, and King David’s repentance after sin. He also discusses St. Peter’s humbling denial and St. Paul’s conversion from zealotry to apostolic mission.Through these stories, Fr. Matthias emphasizes that God's corrections are not punishments but means of preparation, guiding believers to humility, repentance, and a renewed focus on God. Correction prepares individuals for their divine purpose, transforming weaknesses into strengths. This message encourages viewers to see challenges and rebuke as part of God’s ongoing work in their spiritual growth and salvation journey.#ChristianFaith #SalvationJourney #GodsCorrection #SpiritualGrowth #BiblicalSermon #FaithTransformation #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 concept of death, examining its origins, nature, and effects from a Christian perspective. He discusses how death entered the world through the choice of Adam and Eve, contrasting God’s original design for eternal life with the broken state of creation caused by sin. Fr. Matthias explains the separation of body and spirit at death, the role of free will, and the consequences of the fall, including shame, fear, blame, and suffering in work and relationships.He highlights the distinction between physical and spiritual death and addresses common fears surrounding judgment and mortality. Fr. Matthias also presents hope through the promise of a Messiah who restores life and offers eternal salvation. This talk emphasizes living with the awareness of death’s reality while embracing the possibility of redemption and communion with God.#FearOfDeath #ChristianTeaching #EternalLife #SpiritualDeath #RedemptionInChrist #FaithAndHope #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 story of the rich young ruler to reveal ten ways people place unhealthy trust in wealth, highlighting how attachments to money can hinder spiritual growth and salvation. He discusses different types of wealthy individuals, including the enslaved rich who are controlled by money, the foolish rich who ignore eternity, the wasteful rich who misuse God’s blessings, and the selfish rich who ignore the needs of others.Fr. Matthias also examines the greedy rich consumed by envy, the self-content rich who feel self-sufficient, the so-called wise rich who equate wealth with wisdom, and the secure rich who trust riches over God’s providence. He warns against the quick rich seeking fast wealth and the socialite rich focused on status and appearances.This teaching challenges viewers to reflect on their own relationship with money and encourages seeking true security and discipleship through God rather than earthly riches.#ChristianFaith #TrustInGod #WealthAndFaith #SermonOnMoney #SpiritualGrowth #GodOverRiches #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 concept of detachment as the cost of discipleship in this sermon. He explains that Jesus’ call to “hate” family and even one’s own life means prioritizing love for God above all else, requiring a detachment from worldly attachments that hinder following Christ. Using biblical examples like Abraham, the disciples, Levi, Zacchaeus, the rich young ruler, and Lot’s wife, Fr. Matthias illustrates how attachment to possessions, relationships, or desires can prevent one from fully committing to God’s call.He emphasizes detachment as inner freedom from the control of earthly things, enabling believers to love without possessiveness and to pursue their spiritual mission as “salt of the earth.” Fr. Matthias invites reflection on what competes with our love for Christ and challenges listeners to identify and surrender unhealthy attachments to deepen their discipleship and experience God’s presence.#CostOfDiscipleship #ChristianDetachment #FollowingChrist #FrMatthiasShehad #SpiritualFreedom #FaithAndCommitment #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 in this sermon, explaining how God initiates salvation by sowing His word in every person’s heart without discrimination. He emphasizes that individuals respond differently, represented by four types of soil: resistant hearts that reject God’s word, shallow hearts that embrace it briefly but fall away under trial, divided hearts torn between worldly desires and God, and surrendered hearts that accept the word and bear spiritual fruit.Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of faith, perseverance, spiritual discipline, and wholehearted commitment to God. He underscores that true Christian life involves ongoing struggle, transformation, and patient bearing of fruit, with God working in cooperation with human will. This teaching encourages self-reflection on one’s spiritual condition and invites deeper surrender to God’s word for genuine growth and salvation.#ChristianSermon #ParableOfTheSower #FaithAndWill #SpiritualGrowth #GodsWord #ChristianLife #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 varied human responses to Christ’s miracles, focusing on the feeding of the multitude. He examines how external and internal influences—such as cultural values, media addiction, upbringing, emotions, insecurities, pride, and beloved sins—shape our perception of God, ourselves, and the world. Fr. Matthias discusses how these factors create altered realities, suffering, loss of control, and spiritual confusion.He offers practical guidance on overcoming these influences by avoiding harmful exposures, regularly examining reality with trusted support, living according to God’s commandments, renewing the mind through prayer and repentance, and embracing humility. Emphasizing the need for spiritual renewal, he calls for a deep trust in God’s protection and transformative power, encouraging believers to seek freedom through faith and discipleship.#ChristianFaith #SpiritualRenewal #FaithInChrist #OvercomingSin #MindRenewal #TrustInGod #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 final part of "The Marketing of Evil" series, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the origins and modern interpretation of the separation of church and state in the United States. He examines key legal cases that removed Christian symbols and prayer from public institutions, explaining how the establishment clause of the First Amendment has been applied over time. Fr. Matthias traces the historical context of this principle from the founding era, highlighting the Christian roots of early American government and contrasting them with today's secular approach.He discusses the implications of this shift for religious freedom, societal morals, and public life. The talk concludes with practical advice on remaining informed, actively living out Christian faith, engaging in community and politics, and nurturing children's spiritual growth amid cultural challenges. Fr. Matthias emphasizes hope in God’s sovereignty and the call to evangelize with truth and love in a complex world.#ChristianFaith #SeparationOfChurchAndState #ReligiousFreedom #ChristianRoots #FaithAndCulture #Evangelization #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 biblical theme of the "Hand of God" and its various roles in the lives of believers. He begins by recounting the story of Christ raising the widow’s son, illustrating God's power to create, sustain, and resurrect.Fr. Matthias highlights how the hand of God works through creation, spiritual transformation, teaching, healing, exposing sin, executing judgment, protecting believers, and empowering them in times of weakness. He emphasizes the ongoing presence of God’s hand—not only in miraculous events but also in everyday guidance and discipline through the Holy Spirit.Examining scripture, Fr. Matthias explains that God’s judgment is motivated by love and serves to guide and protect, while His protection offers security against evil. The sermon encourages believers to recognize and trust in God’s active involvement in their lives, even in trials and challenges, fostering faith and resilience.#HandOfGod #ChristianSermon #FaithInGod #GodsPower #SpiritualTransformation #DivineProtection #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