St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

His Grace Bishop Gregory explores how encountering Christ’s authority can help overcome paralysis in our lives, whether from past trauma, present difficulties, or the bondage of sin. Using the story of the paralytic man carried by four friends, Bishop Gregory highlights the role of the Church as the “house of the comforter,” where healing and transformation take place through faith and humility. He shares examples from the Gospels and spiritual writings like The Way of the Pilgrim that demonstrate how consistent reading and meditating on Scripture can break the chains of addiction and sin. Bishop Gregory encourages believers to approach God with humility and obedience, trusting in His power to heal and change lives. This homily challenges viewers to deepen their faith and reliance on Christ as the source of strength and hope in every struggle.#ChristianFaith #HealingInChrist #OvercomingParalysis #FaithAndHealing #BishopGregoryHomily #HouseOfTheComforter #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 sinful woman who washed Christ’s feet with her tears at Simon the Pharisee’s house, highlighting her ability to maintain focus despite judgment and distractions. He reflects on how individuals in Scripture, like Zacchaeus, St. Stephen, Mary, and St. Paul, demonstrate unwavering focus on Christ amid challenges and temptations.Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a relationship with God over worldly concerns and busyness, using examples of distraction such as Simon the Pharisee and Martha. Through practical anecdotes, he challenges viewers to examine where their attention lies in daily life and encourages a singular focus on Christ for spiritual growth and forgiveness.This sermon calls believers to recognize distractions and refocus their lives on God’s presence, maintaining faithfulness in all circumstances.#SinfulWoman #FocusOnChrist #ChristianSermon #FaithAndForgiveness #SpiritualGrowth #PrioritizeGod #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 difference between true and false repentance through biblical examples. He reflects on the story of Zacchaeus as a model of genuine repentance—where words are matched by meaningful actions. Fr. Matthias contrasts this with King Saul’s false repentance, characterized by excuses, reluctant confession, minimizing consequences, and lack of lasting change. He explains how Saul’s repentance was more about appearances than sincere transformation.Fr. Matthias then highlights King David’s approach to repentance, which involved immediate acknowledgment of sin, acceptance of consequences without bitterness, and genuine hope for God’s mercy. David’s humility and forgiveness of others demonstrate the heart of true repentance.This teaching emphasizes repentance as an ongoing, sincere turning to God, inviting viewers to examine their own repentance in light of scripture.#TrueRepentance #ChristianSermon #FrMatthiasShehad #BiblicalRepentance #FaithAndRepentance #SaintPaulHouston #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 spiritual importance of small actions and decisions in this sermon. Drawing from biblical examples like Adam and Eve, Esau, and the Widow’s mite, Fr. Matthias highlights how seemingly minor acts of obedience or sin can have lasting consequences. He discusses how everyday choices, whether they are small sins or acts of faith, shape our spiritual lives and relationship with God.Fr. Matthias emphasizes that God values faithfulness in little things as much as in greater matters, illustrating this through stories of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath, Daniel’s dietary faithfulness, and the boy with five loaves and two fish. The talk also covers everyday habits such as prayer, service, and kindness, showing how these small acts contribute to personal growth and the church community. This message encourages believers to recognize the significance of their small, daily faith expressions in God’s eyes.#ChristianFaith #LittleThingsMatter #DailyFaith #SermonOnFaith #FaithfulnessInSmallThings #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

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the theme of self-deception, drawing on the ministry of St. John the Baptist and the challenges faced by the Pharisees who believed themselves righteous yet lived in hypocrisy. Fr. Matthias explains how the heart can be deceitful and how individuals often create false realities to avoid painful truths about themselves, their goals, and their relationship with God.He discusses common misconceptions such as unrealistic expectations, misunderstanding God’s presence in suffering, and the difference between professed beliefs and daily actions. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of sober self-examination, recognizing limitations, and aligning one’s life with God’s truth rather than personal illusions.By reflecting on biblical teachings, including warnings against hypocrisy and the call to live righteously, Fr. Matthias encourages viewers to seek clarity and avoid the traps of self-deception in their spiritual journey.#ChristianSermon #FaithAndTruth #NoDeception #SelfExamination #StJohnTheBaptist #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. Younan William explores crucial spiritual times every believer should observe to guide their faith journey and impact their salvation. He begins by discussing the time of visitation, when God’s grace calls us to respond, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and acting on these moments.Fr. Younan then explains the time to flee from temptation and foolish disputes, highlighting the need for discernment. He stresses the urgency of the time to repent while we are still alive, as well as the time of open doors, when opportunities for growth and blessing are available.Further, Fr. Younan outlines the time to store spiritual strength early in life, the time to witness to others about faith, and the time of trouble, which tests and deepens our relationship with God. His message calls for vigilance in observing these seven times to live faithfully and be prepared for life’s challenges.#ChristianFaith #SpiritualGrowth #FaithJourney #Repentance #ChristianSermon #GodsTiming #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

His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef explores the meaning of the "Abomination of Desolation" as mentioned in Mark 13, addressing its historical, prophetic, and spiritual significance. He explains the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD when the Roman commander entered the Holy of Holies, fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy. Metropolitan Youssef connects this event to future prophetic signs involving the Antichrist and the end of the world.He also highlights the spiritual aspect, urging believers to recognize how materialism, pleasure, and pride can become false gods within their hearts, leading to spiritual desolation. Metropolitan Youssef offers practical guidance on how to overcome these by seeking God's grace in the church, maintaining a life of constant prayer, and faithfully using one's talents in service to God.The homily concludes with a call to vigilance and readiness for the coming of the Lord, emphasizing the importance of watching and praying to avoid falling into temptation.#AbominationOfDesolation #MetropolitanYoussef #ChristianProphecy #EndTimes #SpiritualVigilance #FaithInChrist #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. James Gendi discusses how to evaluate and expose lies, especially in the age of technology where misinformation spreads quickly. He explains the nature of lies as distortions that confuse or delude the truth, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between the sin of lying and the individual who lies. Fr. James guides listeners to measure claims against known truth, assess their reasonability, recognize personal biases behind falsehoods, and be cautious of lies that challenge or contradict God’s word. He highlights the necessity of taking false thoughts captive, not sharing lies, and responding with truth to combat deception. Through biblical examples, Fr. James encourages discerning truth from lies while maintaining compassion toward those who propagate falsehoods. He calls for wisdom and courage to uphold God’s truth amid the widespread circulation of misleading information.#ChristianSermon #TruthInChrist #CombatLiesWithTruth #FaithAndDiscernment #GodsWordGuides #SpiritualWisdom #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 calling of Levi, the tax collector, illustrating how Jesus sought sinners rather than the self-righteous. Fr. Matthias explains the contrast between those who judge others while considering themselves righteous and those who recognize their need for repentance and salvation. Using Scripture from Luke, Romans, and the parables of the prodigal son and the forgiving creditor, he emphasizes that all people are sinners in need of God's mercy. Fr. Matthias highlights the example of the sinful woman who honored Christ with repentance and love, contrasting her with the judging Pharisee. He calls believers to show compassion to sinners without compromising the truth of repentance. The message invites reflection on humility, mercy, and the universal need for healing through Christ.#ChristianSermon #CallToRepentance #JesusAndSinners #GodsMercy #FaithAndHumility #ChristianTeachings #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 Wicked Vinedressers to illustrate the principle of consequences in the spiritual life. He explains how persistent sin leads to inevitable consequences, even when forgiveness is granted. Fr. Matthias highlights biblical examples showing that every decision carries consequences, some immediate and others long-lasting, affecting not only the individual but also those around them.He emphasizes the importance of recognizing consequences early, teaching this principle to children, and considering the effects of decisions before acting. Drawing from Scripture, Fr. Matthias discusses how sin can bring sorrow, bondage, and impact communities or nations, especially when committed by those in authority. This message serves as a call for repentance and mindfulness of our spiritual journey and choices.#SpiritualConsequences #ParableOfTheVinedressers #ChristianSermon #FrMatthiasShehad #Repentance #FaithJourney #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