St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Joshua chapters 3 to 5, focusing on the Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan River, the setting up of memorial stones, and the appearance of the unseen commander of the Lord’s army. He explains the significance of Joshua’s leadership as he succeeds Moses and guides the people into the promised land of Canaan. Fr. Matthias compares the Jordan crossing to the Red Sea crossing as a symbol of spiritual baptism and renewal.The talk highlights the importance of sanctification, obedience, and remembering God’s faithfulness through memorials, emphasizing Israel’s unity and identity. It also addresses the spiritual implications of circumcision renewed by Joshua and the cessation of manna as they enjoy the produce of the land.Fr. Matthias discusses the pre-incarnate Christ’s role as commander of the Lord’s army, reassuring Joshua that victory comes from God’s power, not human strength. This study connects biblical events to spiritual growth and faith in God's guidance.#JoshuaBibleStudy #CrossingTheJordan #FaithInGod #ChristianLeadership #BiblicalMemorials #PreIncarnateChrist #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 explains Christ’s command in Luke 6 to love your enemies and do good to those who hate you, presenting it as a defining standard of Christian life. Fr. Matthias examines three forms of love that carry no heavenly reward, including loving only those who love us, claiming to love God while hating others, and loving God without keeping His commandments .Fr. Matthias addresses common misconceptions about loving enemies, clarifying that it is not weakness, not based on feelings, and not impractical, but requires strength, grace, and deliberate action. He outlines practical ways to love enemies, such as refusing retaliation, praying for those who harm us, serving them in need, and not rejoicing at their fall.Fr. Matthias concludes by explaining the spiritual motivations for loving enemies: becoming like God, receiving God’s reward, and seeking forgiveness for our own sins through obedience to Christ’s commandment of love.#LoveYourEnemies #ChristianLove #Luke6 #FrMatthiasShehad #ForgivenessInChrist #CommandmentOfLove #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhoustonLike 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 http://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explains the central place of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Christian faith by examining biblical, historical, and theological proofs of the Resurrection. Fr. Matthias presents Old Testament prophecies and symbols pointing to the Resurrection, including Jonah in the belly of the fish, the purification rite of the birds in Leviticus, and the water flowing from the rock in the wilderness .Fr. Matthias discusses the transformation of the disciples after the Resurrection, the testimony of the empty tomb, and the willingness of the apostles to suffer and die for their witness. He explains how the Resurrection confirms the divinity of Christ, the truth of Scripture, and the foundation of Christian belief.Fr. Matthias concludes by connecting belief in the Resurrection to daily Christian life, worship, sacrifice, and the living hope of eternal life with Christ.#ResurrectionProofs #ChristianFaith #FrMatthiasShehad #BiblicalProphecies #EmptyTomb #LivingHope #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthiasSubscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhoustonLike 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 http://stpaulhouston.org

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad begins an in-depth exploration of the Book of Romans, focusing on its historical context and key themes such as salvation, faith, and righteousness. He examines the early Christian community in Rome, discussing the presence of Jewish and Gentile believers and the spread of Christianity before Paul’s visit. Fr. Matthias addresses the traditional view of Peter founding the Roman church and presents reasons why Paul likely played a foundational role instead. The discussion highlights major theological concepts including justification, sanctification, and the universality of salvation through faith. Fr. Matthias also explains the implications of God’s invisible attributes revealed through creation and how both belief and unbelief manifest in human behavior. Toward the end, he reflects on the challenge of living faithfully in a world that often rejects God’s truth and explores the Apostle Paul’s calling and mission.This study links Scripture with real-life application, encouraging believers to live out their faith rooted in God’s grace and truth.#RomansBibleStudy #JustifiedByFaith #PaulTheApostle #ChristianFaith #SalvationThroughFaith #BiblicalTheology #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 Romans chapters 10 and 11, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Saint Paul’s message regarding Israel’s spiritual state, contrasting the zeal of the Jews with their lack of true knowledge and submission to God's righteousness through Christ. Fr. Matthias explains how salvation is accessible to both Jews and Gentiles through faith, not the works of the law, and discusses the role of preaching in spreading the gospel. He emphasizes the consequences of pride among believers and the necessity of both zeal and knowledge in genuine worship.Fr. Matthias also addresses complex theological topics such as Israel’s partial blindness, the mystery of God’s plan for salvation, and the relationship between the church and the Jewish people. The teaching includes reflections on human weakness, the importance of humility, and the call for believers to live faithfully with seriousness while trusting in God's mercy and justice. This study provides a comprehensive look into Saint Paul’s letter, focusing on how faith in Christ fulfills the law and unites all believers under God’s grace.#Romans1011 #BibleStudy #PaulineEpistles #IsraelInTheBible #FaithInChrist #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 continues his study of Romans chapters 12 and 13, exploring the practical Christian life of presenting oneself as a living sacrifice through renewed reason and divine love. He examines how believers are transformed by the Holy Spirit to live beyond worldly conformity, embracing humility, service, and genuine love for others.Fr. Matthias explains the role of spiritual gifts in the body of Christ and the importance of serving the church community with these gifts. He also discusses submission to governing authorities as part of Christian obedience, clarifying that such submission acknowledges God’s sovereignty even over imperfect rulers.Highlighting the new commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself, Fr. Matthias emphasizes overcoming evil with good, patience in trials, and maintaining peace. This teaching illustrates how the Christian life embodies resurrection and divine love in daily actions while awaiting the fulfillment of salvation.#Romans12 #LivingSacrifice #LoveYourNeighbor #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGifts #BibleStudy #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 Romans chapters 14 to 16, focusing on discerning the doubtful and fostering unity in Christ. He examines St. Paul's guidance on how believers with different levels of faith should treat one another, especially regarding practices like dietary restrictions, observing special days, and cultural differences between Jewish and Gentile Christians.Fr. Matthias explains the importance of patience, love, and respect within the church community while emphasizing that salvation is not dependent on these ritualistic practices but on righteousness, peace, joy, and the Holy Spirit. He highlights the balance between maintaining personal conviction and avoiding causing others to stumble in their faith.The teaching concludes with reflections on St. Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, the call for unity, and the final exhortations against division and false teachings, encouraging all believers to pursue what builds up the body of Christ.#Romans14to16 #ChristianUnity #BibleStudy #FaithAndLove #StPaulTeachings #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 Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Romans chapters 2 and 3, focusing on the need for salvation for both Jews and Gentiles. He explains how St. Paul addresses the Jewish Christians’ sense of superiority due to their possession of the law of Moses and rebukes their hypocrisy in judging Gentiles while committing similar sins themselves. Fr. Matthias highlights the concept of natural law residing in every human heart, the impartial judgment of God, and the universal condition of sin affecting all mankind.He also clarifies how righteousness is not attained through strict obedience to the law or ethnic identity, but through faith in Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice justifies believers. The study emphasizes that salvation is a gift of grace for all, Jews and Gentiles alike, and faith establishes the law rather than nullifies it, revealing the human need for God’s mercy and the righteousness He provides.#RomansBibleStudy #SalvationInChrist #FaithNotLaw #ChristianTeaching #GodsGrace #UniversalSin #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 Romans chapters 4 and 5, focusing on the justification of Abraham by faith. He explains how Abraham was declared righteous by God before circumcision, emphasizing that righteousness comes through faith, not law or works. Fr. Matthias clarifies the relationship between Paul’s teaching on faith and works and the message of St. James regarding the evidence of true faith through good works.He discusses the significance of grace versus debt in the context of salvation, the promise to Abraham as the father of all believers—both Jew and Gentile—and how faith replaces the law’s role as the path to righteousness. Fr. Matthias also addresses the entrance of sin and death through Adam, contrasting it with the gift of grace and eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. The study concludes with reflections on peace with God, enduring tribulations, and the transformative hope found in Christ’s resurrection.#RomansBibleStudy #FaithAndJustification #AbrahamByFaith #GraceThroughFaith #ChristianFaith #BibleTeaching #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 Romans chapters 6 and 7, focusing on the new life through baptism and the struggle between sin and righteousness. He begins by explaining how Saint Paul addresses the misconception that righteousness comes through circumcision, emphasizing that faith, not ritual, justifies. Fr. Matthias highlights baptism as a spiritual death and resurrection with Christ, marking freedom from sin and entry into newness of life.He discusses the distinction between being slaves of sin versus slaves of righteousness, underscoring the ongoing spiritual struggle between flesh and spirit. Fr. Matthias explains how the law reveals sin but cannot save, showing the need for grace through Christ. He also contrasts the old covenant of the law with the new covenant in Christ, emphasizing sanctification as a lifelong process empowered by grace.This study offers a clear understanding of salvation, grace, the role of the law, and the transformation that begins in baptism and continues throughout the Christian life.#RomansBibleStudy #NewLifeInChrist #BaptismAndFaith #GraceAndSalvation #SpiritualTransformation #LawAndGrace #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