St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

In this sermon, Fr. James Gendi reflects on the feeling of being abandoned by God, drawing from the Gospel account of the raising of Lazarus. He explores how figures like Mary, King David, and even Christ experienced moments of perceived abandonment. Fr. James explains common reasons for feeling forgotten by God, such as trials, unanswered prayers, doubt, and moments of weak faith.

He emphasizes the importance of crying louder in prayer during hardship and seeking support from others as essential steps in spiritual growth. Fr. James highlights that God’s temporary withdrawal can be a form of love, designed to strengthen faith and reliance on Him. Through real-life examples, he encourages viewers to respond to difficulties not with despair but with trust in God’s ultimate plan for salvation and glory.#FeelingAbandoned #FaithInTrials #TrustInGod #ChristianSermon #SpiritualGrowth #GodsPlan #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 from Luke 9, highlighting how Christ fulfills every human need—physical, spiritual, and emotional. He emphasizes Christ’s care as he listens to his disciples, gives them private time, and welcomes the multitudes with love, addressing their spiritual hunger first by teaching the kingdom of God. Fr. Matthias explains how Christ multiplies the five loaves and two fish offered by a child, showing God’s power to work through small acts of faith.

The sermon also stresses the apostles' role in participating in Christ’s work, a call for believers today to serve others with faith, trusting that God multiplies their efforts. This message encourages embracing God’s provision and mission in evangelism and daily life, reflecting on Christ’s example of giving and service.#ChristFulfillsOurNeeds #FeedingThe5000 #FaithInAction #GodsProvision #ChristianSermon #KingdomOfGod #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning of Christ’s call to "become as little children" in Matthew 18:3, emphasizing key qualities believers should embrace and those they should avoid. He explains how Christians are called to regain childlike simplicity, humility, trust, obedience, and a continual desire to learn, while maintaining maturity and discernment in the face of evil. Fr. Matthias highlights the balance between living in the world but not being of the world, urging believers to forgive quickly and avoid grudges like children. He also discusses the importance of trusting God without full understanding, cooperating with Him through responsible actions, and growing in patience and self-control. Throughout the message, Fr. Matthias encourages adopting childlike traits to deepen faith while developing Christlike maturity in daily life.#ChildlikeFaith #BecomeAsChildren #ChristianHumility #FaithAndMaturity #TrustInGod #ForgivenessInChrist #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the mission of the seventy disciples sent out by Christ as described in Luke 10. He explains how Christ’s model of evangelism—sending disciples two by two—illustrates the importance of companionship, support, and unity in spreading the Gospel. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that believers are called to prepare the way for Christ by going into every city without discrimination and relying on God’s provision rather than their own resources.

The sermon highlights the necessity of serving others’ physical and emotional needs alongside preaching, embodying love and acceptance regardless of backgrounds. Fr. Matthias encourages perseverance in evangelism, reminding listeners that rejection is part of the mission and should not lead to bitterness. Drawing on examples from Scripture and Church history, he calls Christians to actively share their faith as part of their calling, continuing the work of the Apostles to spread Christianity worldwide.#SendingOutTheSeventy #Luke10 #ChristianEvangelism #Discipleship #FaithInAction #GospelMission #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Akhnoukh Ghatas explores the meaning of Jesus’ commandment “Judge not, and you shall not be judged,” focusing on the challenges of judgment in daily life and spiritual growth. He distinguishes between rightful evaluation in professions like teaching or medicine and wrongful judgment driven by ego, lack of love, humility, and wisdom. Fr. Akhnoukh discusses the dangers of judging others verbally or mentally, how judgment disrupts prayer, and the sin of projecting personal faults onto others. He emphasizes repentance, love, humility, and using Jesus as a model for forgiveness to avoid judgment. Practical advice includes continuous self-examination, avoiding gossip, and fleeing judgmental situations. Drawing on Scripture, he reminds listeners that ultimate judgment belongs to God and calls for treating others with the same grace we desire.#JudgeNotBeJudged #ChristianTeaching #ForgivenessInChrist #SpiritualGrowth #LoveAndHumility #FaithInAction #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores why people blame God for challenges and suffering, using examples from scripture, including accusations against Christ for casting out demons by evil powers and being called insane or a sinner. He explains how misunderstandings of God’s nature and will often lead to misplaced blame when life does not go as expected. Fr. Matthias reflects on human tendencies to avoid responsibility, feel entitled, or rely on a superficial knowledge of God rather than a deep relationship with Him.

He also discusses how blaming God affects our trust, spiritual growth, and sense of purpose. Using biblical stories such as the parables of the talents and the prodigal son, Fr. Matthias encourages viewers to cultivate faith and humility, recognizing that God’s perspective is perfect and loving even when it challenges our limited understanding. This message invites believers to respond to life’s difficulties with trust and gratitude instead of accusation.#BlamingGod #ChristianSermon #FaithInTrials #TrustGod #SpiritualGrowth #GodsWill #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the significance of Pentecost as the day the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, marking the establishment of the Church. He explains how Christ promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Him, empowering believers to share the Orthodox faith. Using St. Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 as a model, Fr. Matthias emphasizes Christ’s dual nature as fully human and divine, His crucifixion by divine will, resurrection, and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. He highlights the importance of repentance, baptism, and cooperating with the Holy Spirit as essential steps for believers to live according to God’s will.

Fr. Matthias encourages viewers to understand the Holy Spirit not only as a gift but also as a guide calling for personal transformation. He stresses the call to bear witness through both words and actions, following the example of the early Church to spread the Gospel and grow in faith.#Pentecost2019 #HolySpirit #BearingWitness #OrthodoxFaith #FrMatthiasShehad #Acts2Sermon #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the relationship between joy and sorrow in the Christian life, focusing on five types of sorrow that lead to true joy. He explains how moments of labor and struggle produce lasting joy, much like childbirth and hard work. Fr. Matthias discusses godly sorrow that brings repentance, highlighting its role in spiritual growth and salvation.

He also addresses the sorrow involved in sharing others’ burdens, encouraging compassionate response to those who suffer. Fr. Matthias reflects on sorrow for those not yet in Christ, emphasizing the call to evangelize with love and urgency. Lastly, he explains how chastisement, though painful, yields peace and righteousness through God’s training.

By understanding these sorrows as part of God’s plan, believers are called to seek joy through prayer and faith, trusting that God transforms sorrow into hope and fruitfulness. This teaching offers guidance on facing trials with a heart oriented toward spiritual growth and redemption.#ChristianJoy #GodlySorrow #FaithInTrials #SpiritualGrowth #JoyThroughSorrow #ChristianFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Christ’s promise of preparing mansions in heaven for believers, explaining that these heavenly dwellings were established from the foundation of the world as part of God’s plan for salvation. He highlights how Christ’s incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection opened the way to the Father, emphasizing Jesus as the only path to eternal life. Fr. Matthias discusses the significance of Christ’s second coming and the reunion with God, where believers will dwell in His presence without distraction.

He also addresses common questions about heaven, illustrating that each believer’s eternal “mansion” reflects their spiritual journey and relationship with God. The talk draws on Scripture and early Christian writings to show that our faithfulness and service to Christ determine our place in the Father’s house. Fr. Matthias invites viewers to seek truth and life through Christ, who is the way to the kingdom prepared for us.#MansionsInHeaven #ChristPromise #EternalLife #FaithfulServants #SecondComing #HeavenlyDwelling #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning of Christ as the light shining in the darkness, drawing from John 12:46. He explains how humanity often lives in spiritual blindness, unable to recognize its own darkness until illuminated by Christ’s light. Fr. Matthias discusses the spiritual realities revealed through faith, the importance of understanding God’s commandments, and finding joy in our identity as children of God.

He emphasizes the role of sacraments, Scripture, and prayer in receiving this divine light, which transforms our self-awareness and strengthens our love for others. Fr. Matthias also highlights our calling to share this light with the world by living as examples of Christ’s salvation. The message concludes with a call to choose the light over darkness, trusting God’s power to renew and guide us through life’s challenges.#ChristTheLight #SpiritualEnlightenment #FaithInChrist #John1246 #ChristianSermon #LightOverDarkness #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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