St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of Ephesians chapter 5, focusing on practical Christian living, the call to imitate God as His dear children, and embodying Christ’s example of love and sacrifice. He explores the struggle between the works of the flesh and walking as children of light, emphasizing repentance, perseverance, and living a life rooted in the Holy Spirit.Fr. Matthias also discusses the biblical foundation of family relationships, highlighting the roles of husbands and wives as reflections of Christ and the Church. He explains how true Christian love involves sacrificial service, unity, and mutual respect within the family.Throughout, he underscores the importance of discerning spiritual truth, resisting worldly influences, and actively exposing darkness through faithful living and courage in proclaiming the gospel. This teaching offers guidance for growing in holiness and walking faithfully in the light.#Ephesians5 #ChristianWalk #BiblicalFamily #FaithAndLove #WalkInLight #HolySpiritGuidance #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 continuation of his series on the Holy Scriptures, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the preservation and authenticity of Old and New Testament manuscripts. He explains the meticulous Jewish tradition of copying Old Testament texts, highlighting the role of the Masoretic Text and its differences from the Septuagint. Fr. Matthias also discusses the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery in confirming the reliability of scripture.He then examines over 300 Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah fulfilled in Christ, citing Psalm 22 and the Wisdom of Solomon as examples. Fr. Matthias shows how prophecies about the Egyptian church in Isaiah find fulfillment in St. Mark’s establishment of Christianity in Egypt.Additionally, Fr. Matthias addresses non-Christian historical evidence supporting biblical events and points to scientific statements in scripture that align with modern discoveries, emphasizing the divine origin of the Bible’s message.#HolyScriptures #BiblicalProphecy #DeadSeaScrolls #MasoreticText #MessiahInTheBible #FaithAndHistory #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 Ephesians chapter 4, focusing on the Christian walk and the calling to live a life worthy of Christ. He explains how Saint Paul, as a prisoner of the Lord, exemplified acceptance of God’s will and submission even in suffering. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the virtues Christians are called to embody: lowliness, gentleness, long-suffering, and love, highlighting the importance of unity within the body of Christ.He discusses the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in producing these virtues and the role of diverse spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church. Fr. Matthias clarifies the difference between mere knowledge and true relationship with Christ, urging believers to grow in faith and live authentically. The teaching addresses resisting worldly futility, responding to the Spirit, and living in harmony, encouraging listeners to practice forgiveness, patience, and truth in love for the growth of the Church.#Ephesians4 #ChristianWalk #BibleStudy #HolySpirit #UnityInChrist #SpiritualGifts #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 Jesus Christ’s teaching that divine mysteries are revealed to the pure and humble, not the proud or self-wise. He explains that seeing God requires purity of heart, innocence like children, and sincere faith rather than intellectual proof. Fr. Matthias discusses the importance of guarding our senses from harmful influences and cleansing our minds to perceive God’s presence clearly. He highlights spiritual qualities necessary to experience God, including surrendering one’s will to God, living with sincerity, forgiving others, refraining from judgment, and loving even one’s enemies. Drawing on scripture from Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, and the New Testament, he emphasizes that genuine faith grows through practice and transformation. Fr. Matthias concludes that embracing childlike faith leads to peace, joy, and the ability to perceive God in daily life.#ChildlikeFaith #DivineRevelation #FrMatthiasShehad #ChristianSermon #FaithAndHumility #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 Bible study on Ephesians 3, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the mystery of Christ as revealed by St. Paul to the Gentiles. Fr. Matthias explains St. Paul’s role as the Apostle to the Gentiles and highlights the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the body of Christ through salvation. He discusses the grace of God given to Paul for ministry, emphasizing humility, suffering, and service as key aspects of the Christian life.Fr. Matthias unpacks the revelation of salvation's mystery, showing how it was hidden in previous ages but fully disclosed through Christ. He reflects on how the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, brings this truth to the world. The teaching also addresses the spiritual battle between faith and worldly challenges, encouraging believers to trust God’s purpose and love that surpasses all understanding.This study offers a deeper understanding of the Apostle Paul’s message and its relevance for Christian faith and service today.#Ephesians3 #MysteryOfChrist #BibleStudy #ApostlePaul #ChristianFaith #HolySpirit #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

Michael Sedrak explores the virtue of calmness, drawing extensively from St. Paisios’s book on the subject. He defines true calmness as an inner peace that manifests in still senses, controlled speech, and steady behavior, especially during adversity.Michael emphasizes the importance of calmness for spiritual depth, love, and rational decision-making, noting its close relationship with humility, faith, and realistic expectations of others. He offers practical guidance, including valuing calmness over noise, spending time in nature, avoiding overstimulation from media, and surrounding oneself with calm people.The talk also highlights the use of the Jesus Prayer as a tool in cultivating calmness amid chaos. Michael addresses the distinction between humility and self-disparagement and discusses how calmness coexists with righteous anger in Christian life. This presentation helps viewers understand why and how to develop calmness in today’s restless world.#ChristianCalmness #InnerPeaceInChrist #StPaisiosTeachings #JesusPrayer #SpiritualVirtues #FaithAndHumility #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

Mena Abdelsayed, founder and CEO of Theology Academy, explores the significance of Saint John the Baptist in the context of Christian baptism and martyrdom. Mena discusses John’s role both as a historical figure and a cosmological witness who testifies to Christ’s manifestation. He explains how Christians participate in the baptism of repentance and the Holy Spirit, and how continual repentance reignites the image of Christ within believers.Mena highlights the symbolism of John the Beloved at the cross and connects martyrdom to daily testimonies of faith. He emphasizes the importance of humility, casting off pride, and living a life that reflects Christ’s presence through actions in everyday settings. The talk encourages understanding evangelism as living witness, showing how believers can embody Christ by daily renewing their commitment through repentance and humility.#JohnTheBaptist #ChristianMartyrs #BaptismOfRepentance #LivingTestimony #DailyRepentance #ChristlikeHumility #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 begins a series on the Holy Scriptures, exploring their foundational role in the Christian faith. He explains how the Bible, written by around 40 authors over 1600 years, serves as the inspired and infallible word of God, guiding believers in truth and salvation.Fr. Matthias details the Bible’s formation, emphasizing the church’s role in determining the canon and the importance of the scriptures as the “measuring rod” of faith. He discusses the Bible’s unique harmony despite diverse authorship, languages, and historical contexts, highlighting its preservation through extensive manuscript evidence.The talk explains how God’s revelation came through human writers inspired by the Holy Spirit, and addresses how the Bible's reliability is supported by early church fathers’ writings and a vast number of manuscript copies. Fr. Matthias also outlines why understanding and practicing the scriptures is essential for Christian life and belief.#HolyScriptures #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #ScriptureTeaching #InspiredWordOfGod #FaithAndSalvation #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

Mena Abdelsayed, founder and CEO of The Theology Academy, explores the various names of Christ as revealed in Scripture, focusing on the multidimensional ways God has manifested Himself throughout history. Drawing from Hebrews 1, Mena explains how God communicated with humanity through diverse means before ultimately speaking to us through His Son, Jesus Christ—the living Word and the ultimate revelation of God’s name.Mena discusses the significance of Christ as the Messiah, the anointed heir of all things, and how believers partake in this identity through union with Him in the Eucharist. He highlights the New Testament understanding of Christ’s cosmic role as Creator and Savior, emphasizing the continuous process of Incarnation. The talk connects biblical texts and theological insights to reveal how Christians become part of the body of Christ, sharing in His name, nature, and mission.This lecture offers a deep dive into the biblical meaning of the names of God and the implications for Christian identity and spiritual life.#NamesOfGod #JesusChrist #ChristianTheology #Hebrews1 #Incarnation #Messiah #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 part of the series on the diabolic wars, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores practical ways to overcome spiritual attacks using principles from His Holiness Pope Shenouda’s teachings. Fr. Matthias explains that victory over the devil comes not by human strength alone but through prayer, fasting, faith, humility, wisdom, and accountability. He emphasizes the importance of actively resisting temptation, recognizing the devil’s presence, and commanding him away with the authority given by Christ.Fr. Matthias also discusses how Scripture and personal experience deepen our ability to fight sin and highlights the benefits of spiritual warfare, including growing humility, strengthening prayer, fostering compassion, and preparing for the heavenly kingdom. He encourages believers to rely on God’s power to overcome and to view these challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth and faith.#SpiritualWarfare #ChristianFaith #PrayerAndFasting #OvercomingTemptation #FaithInChrist #PopeShenoudaTeachings #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