St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

In this episode of Evangelism 101, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the calling of Levi (Matthew the Evangelist) and the essential qualities of evangelism in the Church. He highlights how Levi’s immediate response to Christ’s invitation to “follow me” and his willingness to leave behind his old life demonstrate the true spirit of an evangelist. Fr. Matthias discusses the challenges of sharing faith, including the necessity of prioritizing others' salvation over personal comfort, the importance of loving and respecting people, and the patience required in nurturing faith.

Fr. Matthias also addresses the mindset differences between Pharisees and Christ’s approach to sinners, emphasizing that evangelism involves inviting others to “come and see” rather than judging them. He shares practical habits crucial for effective evangelism such as believing in Orthodoxy’s truth, understanding human nature, clear communication, humility, and joyful living. This teaching encourages believers to embody these principles as they share the message of hope and salvation.

#Evangelism #ChristianDiscipleship #MatthewTheEvangelist #OrthodoxFaith #SharingTheGospel #ChristianLife

#StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias discusses creation, evolution, and how Christians should understand Genesis alongside modern science. He talks about the Big Bang, intelligent design, Adam and Eve, and what Scripture is ultimately meant to reveal.

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In this episode, Fr. Matthias explores the relationship between faith, science, and truth. He discusses why the Bible is not a science textbook, how Christians should approach scientific discoveries, and why God cannot be studied as a scientific object. Watch to learn how faith and science work together in the pursuit of truth.

#faith #science #orthodox #coptic #christianity #spirituality

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores why Christians are called to love their enemies, a command often seen as challenging and counterintuitive. He explains that loving enemies sets Christians apart from the world, demonstrating a higher standard of love that reflects God's character. Fr. Matthias highlights that enemies can reveal hidden flaws like pride and impatience, prompting self-examination and spiritual growth.

He emphasizes that loving enemies makes believers more like Christ, who forgave even in His greatest suffering. This love requires the presence of the Holy Spirit and a proactive spiritual life, not just reactionary prayer. Fr. Matthias also discusses the freedom and peace that come from forgiving and loving those who have wronged us, preserving the purity of heart necessary for true worship.

This teaching encourages believers to overcome hatred with love, as a witness to the transformative power of Christianity.

#ChristianLove #Forgiveness #LoveYourEnemies #SpiritualGrowth #FrMatthiasShehad

#StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the harmony of the Gospels focusing on the Crucifixion aftermath and burial of Jesus Christ. He examines the darkness that covered the land during the crucifixion and its significance, including nature’s mourning and the tearing of the temple veil, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Fr. Matthias discusses messianic prophecies fulfilled at this time, such as Jesus’ cry from Psalm 22 and the breaking of no bones, connecting these to Old Testament symbolism.

He further explains the significance of the piercing of Christ’s side, representing the birth of the Church through the blood and water. The study continues with the burial process, highlighting Joseph of Arimathea’s role and the presence of the women followers. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the fulfillment of scripture through these events and their connection to salvation history.

#Crucifixion #BurialOfJesus #HarmonyOfTheGospels #MessianicProphecy #BiblicalStudy #FrMatthias

#StPaulHouston #Coptic

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Fr. Tobia Manoli explores the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, emphasizing its unique mention in all four Gospels and its lessons for Christian life. He highlights the significance of order and organization—“make them sit down in groups of fifty”—as the foundation for experiencing God's blessings. Fr. Tobia connects this to spiritual growth, discipleship, and practical living, showing how priorities and discipline enable believers to recognize and receive God’s daily blessings. He also addresses common misunderstandings about blessings and encourages cultivating a faithful, servant-hearted life rooted in order, commitment, and responsibility at home, church, and work.

This talk underscores the importance of spiritual and practical order for thriving in faith, relationships, and daily challenges, with reflections on the role of the Holy Spirit as the spirit of blessing.

#FeedingOfTheFiveThousand #ChristianDiscipleship #HolySpiritBlessings #CopticOrthodox #FaithAndOrder

#StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Tobia Manoli discusses the spiritual significance of the heart as the source of our words and actions. He explains that cursing, swearing, and gossiping stem from what fills our hearts and highlights how these habits harm our spiritual life and community. Fr. Tobia explores the psychological and spiritual reasons behind these behaviors, including anger, habit, environment, lack of reverence for God’s name, jealousy, and pride. He emphasizes the importance of transforming the heart through prayer, scripture reading, confession, and communion rather than merely controlling speech. By fostering godly friendships and participating in the church’s communal life, believers can guard their hearts and speech, allowing Christ’s influence to manifest in their words.

#ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #FaithAndSpeech #CopticOrthodox #HeartAndWords #OvercomingGossip

#StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the biblical account of Barabbas’s release in place of Jesus during His trial before Pontius Pilate, highlighting the political and social dynamics involved. He examines the meaning behind Barabbas’s name, Pilate’s wavering judgment, and the crowd’s role influenced by envy and mob mentality. Fr. Matthias then discusses the details surrounding Jesus's crucifixion, connecting the events to Old Testament prophecies, including the crown of thorns, division of garments, and the mocking by soldiers and religious leaders.

He reflects on the significance of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross and Jesus's message to the grieving women, urging repentance. Fr. Matthias also shares insights on the two thieves crucified alongside Jesus, focusing on the faith of the repentant thief who was promised paradise. The talk concludes with Jesus entrusting His mother to John and the theological implications of Jesus's power and sacrifice.

#GoodFriday #JesusCrucifixion #BarabbasRelease #HolyWeek #BiblicalProphecy

#StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the principles of evangelism through the story of Philip and Nathaniel in John chapter 1. He highlights the significance of encountering Christ personally before sharing the faith with others, emphasizing that effective evangelism stems from a genuine relationship with God. Philip’s invitation to Nathaniel, “Come and see,” illustrates the importance of accompanying others in their journey of faith rather than engaging in debates. Fr. Matthias explains how evangelism involves sharing the truth rooted in Scripture and living a transformed life that reflects the hope of eternal life. He contrasts the worldview of Christianity with worldly pursuits, stressing the need for joy, love, and authenticity in witnessing. The talk concludes by underlining that spiritual growth and personal experience are essential for inspiring belief in others, framing evangelism as leading friends toward a deeper relationship with God.

#ChristianEvangelism #FaithJourney #PhilipAndNathaniel #OrthodoxChristianity #SharingFaith #SpiritualGrowth

#StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this episode, Fr. Matthias Shehad discusses Pope Shenouda III’s insights from the book *The Diabolic Wars* on how Satan attacks Christians. Fr. Matthias explains the subtle strategies of the devil, such as sowing pride, despair, and vain glory, and highlights the importance of spiritual discernment and guidance from the father of confession. He emphasizes that pride is a hidden sin that can arise even from good deeds and that disciplined spiritual life and humility are essential defenses.

Fr. Matthias also addresses how temptations can come from internal desires, toxic relationships, or direct demonic attacks, and why discernment and consistent self-examination are necessary. He explores the role of God’s mercy in overcoming despair and suffering, using biblical examples like Joseph. Finally, Fr. Matthias discusses the challenges of combating modern temptations like social media-driven vanity and calls for silence, modesty, and authentic living.

#ChristianSpirituality #SatanicTemptations #PopeShenoudaIII #SpiritualDiscernment #FaithAndHumility #OvercomingDespair

#StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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