St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

In this Q&A session, Fr. Matthias Shehad addresses questions on various spiritual and practical topics. He explains the reasons behind specific liturgical prayers during fasting periods, clarifies the biblical understanding of the Nephilim as offspring of righteous and ungodly lineages rather than supernatural beings, and discusses the Church’s perspective on the possibility of extraterrestrial life as part of God's creation.Fr. Matthias also interprets Proverbs 9:13–18 to illustrate the dangers of lust and how Christians are called to guard their purity, especially during fasting. He explores the meaning of a “perverse heart” based on Proverbs, describing it as a turning away from God’s intended purpose and offering advice on avoiding this sin through obedience and repentance.Finally, Fr. Matthias provides an in-depth look at the characteristics of a virtuous wife from Proverbs 31, emphasizing her trustworthiness, wisdom, diligence, and faith, and clarifies common misconceptions about the role of women in the Church and society.#VirtuousWife #Proverbs31 #ChristianLiving #FaithAndWisdom #BiblicalTeachings #ChristianWomen #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 speaks about Christ’s teaching, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly,” as preparation for entering the Great Fast. Fr. Matthias explains the difference between outward religious practices and an inward spiritual fast that God truly accepts, drawing from Matthew 6 and Isaiah 58 to define the purpose of fasting.Fr. Matthias examines the characteristics of an acceptable fast, including sincere repentance, sacrifice, inner struggle against sin, humility, silence, reconciliation with others, and care for the poor. He explains how fasting is meant to loosen the bonds of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, and redirect the heart from external appearances to interior transformation.Fr. Matthias concludes by calling believers to enter the Great Fast with intention and discipline through prayer, self-denial, generosity, and trust in God’s promise that true fasting leads to healing, righteousness, protection, and deeper communion with Him.#GreatFast #ChristianFasting #SpiritualFast #FaithAndRepentance #Matthew6 #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 2 Corinthians 4:1-5:3, focusing on Apostle Paul’s teachings about suffering, perseverance, and the gospel’s power. He explains how Paul views suffering not as God’s displeasure but as sharing in Christ’s suffering, which ultimately manifests the life and glory of Jesus in believers.Fr. Matthias discusses the importance of living truthfully and sincerely without deception, emphasizing that faith requires integrity between what is preached and practiced. He reflects on spiritual blindness caused by sin and temptation, illustrating how faith opens hearts to receive the gospel’s light, using examples like Cornelius and Nathaniel.The talk highlights the temporary nature of physical affliction compared to the eternal glory to come, encouraging believers to focus on the inward spiritual renewal despite outward hardships. Fr. Matthias challenges viewers to embrace discipleship fully, understanding the cost and the eternal reward prepared by God beyond this earthly life.#2Corinthians #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #PerseveranceInChrist #GospelPower #FaithAndSuffering #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 Q&A session, Fr. Matthias Shehad addresses the reason why the prophet Jeremiah is called the "Weeping Prophet." He explains Jeremiah’s role in warning the people of Judah about impending destruction due to their sins and idol worship. Jeremiah’s sorrowful messages and mourning for his people’s fate earned him this title, reflecting his deep compassion rather than personal depression.Fr. Matthias also explores the spiritual discipline described by Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:27, emphasizing the need for self-control and perseverance in the Christian life. He highlights the responsibility of leaders and teachers to remain accountable and disciplined to avoid falling into temptation.Other topics covered include teaching children to live a life set apart from worldly pressures, understanding biblical terms like “brothers” in Scripture, and the significance of confession and church practices such as vespers. This discussion offers insights into faith, repentance, and spiritual growth within the Orthodox Christian tradition.#WeepingProphet #JeremiahBible #ChristianQandA #OrthodoxFaith #SpiritualDiscipline #BiblicalTeaching #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 nature of faith as a rational yet spiritual journey. He addresses the common demand for miraculous proof of God's existence and explains why such undeniable signs would undermine free will. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that faith involves a personal relationship with God rather than mere intellectual assent.He discusses how God reveals Himself not through overwhelming displays but through subtle evidence in creation, moral law, and design in the universe. Fr. Matthias explains that faith requires a willing heart to seek God based on what He has revealed and to respond to His invitation. Using biblical examples, he highlights that true faith is a movement toward God, blending reason with trust beyond empirical proof.Fr. Matthias encourages viewers to explore God on His terms, recognizing that the natural world and our innate sense of morality offer rational grounds for belief, while faith completes that journey.#RationalFaith #ChristianFaith #FaithAndReason #FrMatthiasShehad #SpiritualJourney #FaithInGod #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 continues his exposition on 2 Corinthians chapters 2 and 3, focusing on St. Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church regarding forgiveness and restoration of a repentant sinner. Fr. Matthias explains how St. Paul uses this situation to teach about obedience, love, and the spirit-filled ministry. He contrasts the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that the letter of the law brings awareness of sin and death, while the Spirit gives life and transforms believers into the image of Christ. Fr. Matthias discusses the difference between freedom to sin and freedom from sin, exploring how Christian liberty leads to sanctification through the Holy Spirit. The talk includes reflections on the triumph in Christ, the role of ministry as a divine calling, and the importance of demonstrating faith through life, not just words.#2Corinthians #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #HolySpirit #ChristianLiving #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. Matthias Shehad explores the story of Jonah to address why God chose a reluctant prophet for a critical mission. He explains that although Jonah resisted his calling and displayed humility and honesty about his failures, God recognized Jonah’s unique gifts and potential to lead an entire nation to repentance. Fr. Matthias highlights how God often uses imperfect servants, emphasizing that success in service comes from God’s power, not human strength.The sermon discusses Jonah’s honesty in recounting his disobedience and indifference, and how God transformed Jonah’s mistakes into salvation for many, including the people of Nineveh and the sailors on the ship. Fr. Matthias also compares Jonah’s experience to other biblical figures like Moses and Saint Paul, underscoring that readiness to serve grows through obedience and learning in the service itself.This message encourages humility, openness, and trust in God’s unsearchable wisdom in calling and equipping His servants.#Jonah #GodsCalling #ChristianSermon #FaithAndObedience #DivinePurpose #GodUsesImperfectPeople #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 selfishness as reflected in the gospel story of the feeding of the multitude, where people sought Jesus for physical nourishment rather than spiritual growth. He identifies five types of selfishness: self-conceit, self-will, self-indulgence, self-righteousness, and self-satisfaction, illustrating each with biblical examples such as Haman, Jonah, King Solomon, and the Pharisee.Fr. Matthias then presents selflessness as the remedy, emphasizing self-denial, self-control, and self-sacrifice. Drawing from scripture and figures like Abraham, the Good Samaritan, and Saint Paul, he highlights the importance of humility, submitting to God's will, and serving others. The message challenges believers to move beyond individual desires and work towards the salvation and unity of the entire body of Christ.#ChristianSermon #Selflessness #FaithInAction #SpiritualGrowth #ServeOthers #BiblicalTeaching #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 2nd Corinthians 1:8-2:8, focusing on Apostle Paul’s deep pastoral care and his relationship with the Corinthian church. He reviews challenges such as church divisions, moral failures, and the importance of repentance and restoration, using the example of the man living in sin and the church’s disciplinary response.Fr. Matthias highlights Paul’s suffering for the church’s salvation, the role of prayer in ministry, and the call to live with spiritual simplicity and sincerity. He explains the meaning of trusting God who “raises the dead” amid trials and emphasizes forgiveness and mutual joy between Paul and the Corinthians. The teaching underscores the ongoing process of salvation, the importance of church unity in discipline, and the grace of reconciliation within the body of Christ, encouraging believers to seek God wholeheartedly and support one another in faith.#2Corinthians #BibleStudy #PaulineEpistles #ChristianFaith #ChurchUnity #ForgivenessInChrist #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 the spiritual significance of self-denial as essential for discipleship and union with Christ. Drawing from Scripture, including Luke 1 and various New Testament passages, Fr. Matthias emphasizes that Christ brings light to those in darkness, but individuals must open their eyes through self-denial to fully receive this light. He explores the practical aspects of denying worldly attachments such as ungodly relationships, laziness, selfish desires, and wealth, highlighting that true spirituality requires action, discipline, and surrendering personal will.Fr. Matthias also discusses the challenges of faith, the role of prayer as spiritual work, and the importance of trusting God's greater wisdom even when sacrifices are difficult. Through the parable of the hidden treasure, he illustrates why believers are called to give up lesser things to gain the eternal kingdom. This teaching connects deeply to the season of Nativity and the ongoing call to live a life focused on eternal values rather than temporary worldly pleasures.#SelfDenial #ChristianDiscipleship #SpiritualGrowth #FaithInAction #UnionWithChrist #ChristianLiving #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