St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Orthodox understanding of the afterlife, focusing on paradise and the spiritual realities that await believers. He explains the incomprehensible nature of paradise, referencing Saint Paul’s vision and the teachings of Church Fathers. Fr. Matthias distinguishes between four types of heaven, including the sky, the firmament, paradise, and the ultimate “heaven of heavens” or Kingdom of Heaven, where believers will dwell eternally in resurrected bodies. He discusses the significance of the “heavenly garments” symbolizing righteousness and purity, drawing from biblical parables and patristic commentary. Fr. Matthias shares stories of visions seen by saints and martyrs, emphasizing heaven’s character of praise and worship alongside angels. Through these teachings, he encourages a godly life marked by repentance and faith, preparing believers to participate in the eternal wedding feast with Christ, the bridegroom.#OrthodoxChristianity #AfterlifeTeachings #HeavenOfHeavens #FrMatthiasShehad #OrthodoxFaith #ChristianAfterlife #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 explores Exodus chapters 5 and 6, focusing on Moses and Aaron’s first encounter with Pharaoh and God's promise of Israel’s deliverance. He explains Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge the Lord and the resulting harsh increase in the Israelites’ labor, highlighting the symbolic representation of Pharaoh as Satan and Egypt as bondage to sin.Fr. Matthias discusses the Israelites’ struggle between the known oppression of Egypt and the unknown promise of freedom God offers, emphasizing the personal nature of faith and obedience beyond cultural or familial affiliation.The talk unpacks Moses’ doubts, the people’s suffering, and God’s reaffirmation of His covenant and plan to liberate His people with a strong hand. Fr. Matthias also addresses the spiritual lessons of perseverance amid trials and the call to trust God’s guidance even without knowing the full path ahead.#ExodusBibleStudy #MosesAndPharaoh #GodsDeliverance #FaithAndObedience #ChristianTeaching #BibleStudyWithFrMatthias #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 Orthodox afterlife series by recounting the near-death experience of a man confronting the spiritual realities after death. Fr. Matthias explains the encounter with both angels and demons during the soul's crossing over, emphasizing the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. He clarifies the Orthodox understanding of evil spirits as real beings and highlights the role of prayer and the intercession of the saints, especially St. Mary, in protecting souls from demonic attacks.Drawing from Scripture and church tradition, Fr. Matthias shows how salvation through Christ is essential in overcoming these spiritual forces. He also discusses how this awareness should change the way believers live, encouraging faith, repentance, and spiritual vigilance. Throughout, he shares theological insights on the nature of angels, demons, and the afterlife according to Orthodox teaching.#OrthodoxChristianity #AfterlifeTeaching #SpiritualBattle #AngelsAndDemons #FrMatthiasShehad #ChristianFaith #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 Bible study exploring Exodus chapters 3 and 4, focusing on the encounter of Moses and the burning bush, and Moses' commission to return to Egypt. He explains the significance of Mount Horeb as the “mountain of God” and the symbolism behind the burning bush, highlighting interpretations from early Church Fathers relating it to divine presence, the Church, and the incarnation of Christ.Fr. Matthias discusses Moses’ initial reluctance and his excuses, emphasizing the difference between true humility and fear. He explains God’s assurance of His presence, the meaning of God’s name “I AM,” and the importance of obedience over personal ability.The study also covers the signs God gives Moses for convincing the Israelites and Pharaoh, the role of Aaron as Moses’ spokesperson, and the spiritual significance of Moses’ son’s circumcision. The session concludes with reflections on God’s patience, human free will, and His plan to deliver His people from oppression.This teaching deepens understanding of Moses’ calling, God’s nature, and trust in divine guidance through trials.#ExodusBibleStudy #MosesAndTheBurningBush #GodsCalling #DivineGuidance #BibleTeaching #ChristianFaith #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 five types of false confidence that can challenge a believer’s faith. Drawing from the example of the disciples, he explains how faith of the mind may not translate into true spiritual strength when tested by trials or persecution. Fr. Matthias discusses false confidence in knowing God’s will, highlighting the difficulty of discerning specific life decisions despite general spiritual knowledge. He examines mistaken assurance in one’s salvation, cautioning against complacency and self-reliance.Fr. Matthias also addresses false confidence in personal achievements, using the Tower of Babel as a biblical example of human pride opposed to God’s will. Lastly, he reflects on false confidence in the length of life, encouraging believers to live each day fully aware of life’s fragility and dependence on God’s mercy. The message invites careful self-examination and trust in God alone as the source of true confidence.#FalseConfidence #ChristianFaith #TrustInGod #SpiritualGrowth #FaithOverPride #DiscernmentInFaith #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 begins the book of Exodus by explaining the historical and spiritual background of Israel’s suffering in Egypt and the birth of Moses. Fr. Matthias details how the Israelites multiplied under Egyptian bondage and how Pharaoh’s oppression aimed to suppress them. He explores the symbolic meaning of Exodus as a story of liberation and transformation, paralleling the spiritual journey of believers from sin to salvation.Fr. Matthias also examines the character development of Moses, highlighting his early actions and struggles, his exile to Midian, and God’s ongoing preparation for Moses to lead Israel’s deliverance. The discussion connects Old Testament events to New Testament themes, emphasizing God’s faithfulness, the covenant with Abraham, and the unfolding plan of salvation.This study provides insight into the motivations behind suffering, the purposes of God’s timing, and the spiritual lessons found in the Exodus narrative.#ExodusBibleStudy #MosesBirth #IsraelInEgypt #ChristianFaith #GodsDeliverance #SpiritualJourney #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 experience of the afterlife through the firsthand account of a man who died in a hospital and describes what happened to his spirit immediately after death. He explains the separation of the spirit from the physical body, highlighting the inability to interact with the material world and the profound loneliness that follows.Fr. Matthias discusses how the spirit retains its identity and consciousness, drawing on teachings from St. Augustine and contemporary accounts by Mother Arini to illustrate that the soul preserves the form of the body and recognizes others after death. He reflects on the amplification of mental capacities and spiritual awareness experienced in the afterlife, emphasizing that death is a transition to a natural, eternal state rather than an end.The talk encourages preparation for judgment by living a life led by the Holy Spirit, underscoring that the afterlife experience corresponds to one's spiritual development during earthly life. Fr. Matthias anticipates discussing the next phase, "the crossing over," in the continuing series.#OrthodoxChristianity #AfterlifeTeaching #FrMatthiasShehad #SpiritualAwareness #ChristianAfterlife #SoulJourney #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 addresses five common misconceptions about Christianity. He explains that Christianity is not merely about being morally good, but about recognizing our need for salvation through Christ. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that Christianity is not just acquiring knowledge, but living out faith through a genuine relationship with God.He also clarifies that Christianity does not guarantee a life free of suffering, but offers joy and hope beyond present trials. While social welfare is important, Fr. Matthias teaches that the faith centers on spiritual communion with God, from which acts of love naturally flow. Lastly, he discusses the relationship between Christianity and science, affirming that faith and scientific understanding can coexist, as science reveals God’s creation but is not the sole path to truth.This message invites viewers to rethink common assumptions and deepen their understanding of the Christian faith.#ChristianityExplained #FaithAndScience #SalvationInChrist #ChristianMisconceptions #LivingFaith #HopeInChrist #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 declaration, "I have come as a light into the world," explaining how Christ’s light transforms believers from children of darkness to children of light. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the call to live fully in this light by rejecting darkness in all its forms, including sinful habits, hatred, and divided loyalties.He discusses the challenges believers face in maintaining their spiritual walk, such as associating with worldly influences, loving darkness over light, and self-righteousness. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of confession, humility, love for others, and discerning good from evil according to God’s word.The sermon encourages Christians to embrace the light of Christ consistently, allowing it to guide their thoughts, actions, and relationships, and to shine that light to others in the world.#LightOfChrist #ChildrenOfLight #ChristianSermon #LivingInTheLight #FaithInAction #JesusTheLight #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 exploring Orthodox teachings on the afterlife by examining a 19th-century near-death experience account of a man named Mr. U. This narrative, verified by a Russian Orthodox archbishop, describes Mr. U’s transition from life to death, highlighting the separation of spirit and body, the loss of earthly attachments, and the awakening of spiritual consciousness. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the Orthodox understanding that death is not unconsciousness but a heightened state of awareness, distinct from sleep. The talk also addresses common misconceptions about the afterlife, including the nature of heaven and the dangers of deceptive apparitions. Practical questions about suicide and prayers for the deceased are discussed to clarify Church teachings. This session invites reflection on preparing spiritually for death and trusting in Christ’s promise of eternal life, encouraging believers to live faithfully with awareness of what awaits beyond this world.#OrthodoxAfterlife #FrMatthiasShehad #OrthodoxChristianity #AfterlifeTeachings #SpiritualAwareness #EternalLife #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