St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of Exodus, focusing on chapters 31-32, which cover the Sabbath law and the incident of the golden calf. He explains how God equipped specific artisans with the skills and materials needed to build the tabernacle and emphasizes the importance of using God-given talents to serve Him. Fr. Matthias highlights the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy as a sign of the covenant between God and His people.

The discussion then shifts to the Israelites’ impatience and loss of faith during Moses’ absence, leading to the creation and worship of the golden calf—a violation of the commandments and a manifestation of spiritual immaturity. Fr. Matthias explores the consequences of their sin, Moses’ intercession, and the theological implications regarding prayer, free will, and God’s justice. The breaking of the tablets is interpreted as a foreshadowing of Christ fulfilling the law of grace.

This teaching provides a deep look into faith, obedience, intercession, and God's enduring mercy amid human failure.#ExodusBibleStudy #SabbathLaw #GoldenCalf #GodsCovenant #FaithAndObedience #BiblicalTeachings #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad continues the Bible study on Exodus by examining chapters 33 and 34, focusing on the renewal of the covenant after the sin of the golden calf. Fr. Matthias explains God’s declaration that He would send an angel rather than dwell among the people, and how Moses intercedes so that the Lord’s presence would remain with Israel .

Fr. Matthias discusses repentance, the consequences of sin, and how poor choices can make the journey to God’s promises more difficult. He explains the tent of meeting, God speaking with Moses “face to face,” and the role of discipleship seen in Joshua’s relationship with Moses.

Fr. Matthias explores Moses’ request to see God’s glory, the meaning of God revealing His goodness, the making of new tablets, and God’s proclamation of His mercy and justice. The study concludes with reflections on intercession, obedience, and preparing the heart to walk faithfully with God.#ExodusBibleStudy #MosesNewTablets #GodsCovenant #ChristianDiscipleship #FaithJourney #BiblicalIntercession #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad continues the Bible study on Exodus by covering chapters 35 through 40, focusing on the construction of the Tabernacle after the renewal of the covenant. Fr. Matthias explains how God calls the people to participate through freewill offerings of material, time, and skill, and how the Tabernacle is built exactly according to the Lord’s instructions .

Fr. Matthias discusses the spiritual meaning of obedience, voluntary giving, and using God-given talents for worship, highlighting the roles of Bezalel and the gifted artisans. He explains the detailed construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, the priestly garments, and the consecration of all that was built.

Fr. Matthias concludes by examining God’s glory filling the Tabernacle, the cloud that guided Israel’s journey, and how God dwells among His people when they respond with faith, obedience, and devotion.#ExodusBibleStudy #TabernacleInTheBible #ChristianFaith #BibleTeaching #SpiritualObedience #GodsGlory #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad begins a Bible study on Galatians 1, focusing on the theme of "Only One Gospel." He explains that Saint Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia to address the influence of Judaizers who insisted that Gentile converts must follow Mosaic laws like circumcision to be saved. Fr. Matthias highlights Paul's defense of his apostleship as divinely appointed and not from human origin, emphasizing the completeness and divine revelation of the gospel he preaches.

The talk explores the freedom Christians have in Christ from the law's burdens, clarifying that Paul’s message is not about legalism but salvation through faith. Fr. Matthias also discusses how deviations from this gospel threaten the faith’s integrity and the importance of holding to the apostolic tradition unchanged. Practical applications include standing firm in faith amid contemporary challenges while balancing truth with mercy and love. The study guides listeners on understanding early church controversies and applying biblical teaching today.#Galatians1 #OnlyOneGospel #BibleStudy #FaithInChrist #ApostolicTeaching #FreedomInChrist #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Galatians 2, focusing on St. Paul's defense of his apostolic authority and the message of liberty in Christ. He explains the conflict with the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile Christians must follow Old Testament laws like circumcision for salvation. Fr. Matthias clarifies that Paul emphasizes salvation by faith, not by works of the law, highlighting the unity of the apostles’ gospel despite different missions to Jews and Gentiles.

The discussion also covers St. Paul’s public rebuke of St. Peter for withdrawal from Gentiles under pressure, illustrating challenges in early Christian acceptance of Gentile believers. Fr. Matthias addresses the fulfillment of the law in Christ, baptism as replacing circumcision, and the spiritual meaning behind church traditions derived from the Old Testament. The talk ends with reflections on faith, grace, and living by the Spirit rather than by the law.

This teaching sheds light on the early church struggles with law and grace, apostolic unity, and the foundation of Christian freedom.#Galatians2 #FaithNotLaw #SalvationByGrace #ApostolicAuthority #ChristianLiberty #PaulineEpistles #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Galatians 3:1-4:12, focusing on the relationship between faith and works of the law. He explains how St. Paul addresses the Judaizers’ teaching that Gentile Christians must observe Jewish law, including circumcision, for salvation. Fr. Matthias highlights the distinction between justification by faith in Christ and attempts to earn righteousness through the law.

The talk clarifies that the law reveals sin but cannot bring salvation, which is only possible through Christ's sacrifice and faith. Fr. Matthias discusses Abraham’s faith as the model for all believers, showing that true inheritance comes by faith, not by law. He also explains baptism as the means of putting on Christ and becoming children of God.

Throughout, Fr. Matthias emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not the result of human effort, and encourages Christians to rely on faith in Christ rather than legalistic observance.#FaithNotWorks #GalatiansStudy #JustificationByFaith #PaulineEpistles #ChristianFaith #BaptismInChrist #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Galatians 4:13-5:26, focusing on the contrast between the two covenants and the fruits of the Spirit. He explains Saint Paul’s response to the Judaizers, who insisted that Christians must observe the Mosaic law, including circumcision, for salvation. Fr. Matthias highlights how Paul emphasizes freedom in Christ, the adoption as children of God, and the insufficiency of the law for salvation.

Fr. Matthias unpacks Paul’s allegory of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between bondage under the old covenant and freedom in the new covenant. He discusses the ongoing spiritual battle between the flesh and the Spirit and stresses the importance of walking in the Spirit to overcome sin.

The study concludes with a preview of the fruits of the Spirit, encouraging believers to live by faith working through love rather than adherence to the law.#GalatiansStudy #FruitsOfTheSpirit #TwoCovenants #FreedomInChrist #PaulineEpistles #ChristianFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Galatians 5:19-6:18, focusing on the fruits of the Spirit and the conclusion of St. Paul's letter. Fr. Matthias contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the spiritual warfare believers face between the desires of the flesh and the guidance of the Spirit. He explains the freedom found in Christ from the law, particularly addressing the false teaching of circumcision for salvation.

Fr. Matthias discusses how the Spirit produces qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He also highlights the responsibility of Christians to gently restore those caught in sin and to bear one another’s burdens within the Body of Christ. The study concludes with reflections on sowing to the Spirit, perseverance in faith, and living as a new creation through baptism.#FruitsOfTheSpirit #GalatiansStudy #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #FaithJourney #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad reflects on the Gospel passage where Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed over five thousand people, emphasizing the instruction to "gather up the fragments that remain." Fr. Matthias explains how this act reveals God's attention to even the smallest details and His awareness of every individual.

He explores how God knows each person intimately—by name, origin, limitations, struggles, and faithfulness. Drawing on biblical references, Fr. Matthias highlights that God values each individual, seeks out the lost, understands personal challenges, and calls everyone to a unique purpose.

Fr. Matthias encourages believers to trust in God's care for their hearts, thoughts, fears, and futures, reminding them to bring their burdens and prayers before Him. This message calls for a deeper relationship with God, who knows and sustains each person personally.#ChristianSermon #FaithInGod #JesusMiracles #TrustInGod #BibleReflection #GodKnowsYou #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores how God communicates with His people beyond miraculous signs. He outlines seven ways God speaks: through direct speech, other people, scripture, conscience, circumstances, past experiences, and consequences. Fr. Matthias highlights biblical examples such as God’s instructions to Joseph and communication through Moses, emphasizing that God’s guidance often comes through ordinary means rather than dramatic signs.

Fr. Matthias also explains the importance of discerning God’s will by reflecting on consistent advice from others, reading scripture for direction, listening to the prompting of conscience, and recognizing patterns in life circumstances and past experiences. He stresses that consequences from poor decisions can serve as a form of divine communication, teaching wisdom and caution. This message encourages openness to God’s varied ways of speaking and submitting to His will in daily life.#GodSpeaks #ChristianSermon #FaithJourney #DivineGuidance #BibleTeaching #GodsWill #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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