St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

By stpaulhoustonReligion & Spirituality Christianity

St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston episodes

March 04 Harmony of the Gospels [The Widow’s Two Mites] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues exploring the Harmony of the Gospels with a focus on the story of the widow's two mites from Mark and Luke, emphasizing the significance of sacrificial giving and faith. He then delves into Matthew 24, where Christ speaks about the signs of the end times, including deception by false Christs and prophets, global instability, and intense persecution of the church. Fr. Matthias explains the meaning of key prophetic events such as the abomination of desolation and the coming tribulation, highlighting the importance of spiritual vigilance and endurance. He addresses common misconceptions about the second coming, warns against being deceived by false miracles, near-death experiences, and predictions, and encourages believers to remain faithful and prepared for Christ’s return, which will be sudden and unmistakable. The teaching concludes with reflections on living in faith amid trials and the call to be wise and vigilant servants.#HarmonyOfTheGospels #WidowsTwoMites #SacrificialGiving #EndTimesProphecy #FaithAndVigilance #SecondComingOfChrist #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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1 hr 28 min
March 04 Jonah the Prophet [Part 4] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
In this conclusion to his series on Jonah the Prophet, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the complexities of Jonah’s journey, highlighting his initial resistance to God’s call and his struggle with the mercy shown to the Ninevites. Fr. Matthias examines Jonah's emotional responses, from anger and despair to selfishness and entitlement, and how God’s patience and compassion aim to transform him. Through Jonah’s story, the lecture emphasizes God's desire for the salvation of all people, including those viewed as enemies, and challenges listeners to reflect on their own reactions to God’s mercy and trials. Fr. Matthias also connects these lessons to the spiritual discipline of fasting, encouraging believers to seek comfort only in God and to embrace discomfort as a path to growth. The talk concludes with reflections on repentance, mercy, and the eternal purpose behind God’s guidance and discipline.#JonahTheProphet #GodsMercy #ChristianFasting #Repentance #FaithJourney #DivineCompassion #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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44 min
March 04 Jonah the Prophet [Part 4] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
In this conclusion to his series on Jonah the Prophet, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the complexities of Jonah’s journey, highlighting his initial resistance to God’s call and his struggle with the mercy shown to the Ninevites. Fr. Matthias examines Jonah's emotional responses, from anger and despair to selfishness and entitlement, and how God’s patience and compassion aim to transform him. Through Jonah’s story, the lecture emphasizes God's desire for the salvation of all people, including those viewed as enemies, and challenges listeners to reflect on their own reactions to God’s mercy and trials. Fr. Matthias also connects these lessons to the spiritual discipline of fasting, encouraging believers to seek comfort only in God and to embrace discomfort as a path to growth. The talk concludes with reflections on repentance, mercy, and the eternal purpose behind God’s guidance and discipline.#JonahTheProphet #GodsMercy #ChristianFasting #Repentance #FaithJourney #DivineCompassion #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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44 min
March 02 Tempted by the Enemy | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, highlighting the threefold nature of temptation as described by St. John: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. He explains how Christ resisted each temptation by maintaining control over his desires, rejecting self-glorification, and refusing worldly power.

Fr. Matthias emphasizes that temptation is a common experience for all believers, with Satan’s power limited by God’s protection and grace. Drawing from Scripture, he outlines practical ways to resist temptation, including vigilance, spiritual practices such as prayer and fasting, and having faith in God’s ability to provide a way of escape.

The sermon encourages viewers to see temptation not only as a challenge but as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God during times of struggle.#Temptation #ChristInTheWilderness #FaithInGod #SpiritualGrowth #ResistTemptation #PowerOfPrayer #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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19 min
March 02 Am I a Slave to the Love of Money? | Sermon (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the distinction between earthly treasures and heavenly treasures, emphasizing that where our heart is, there lies our treasure. Drawing from the Gospel of St. Matthew, he examines the question of whether one is a slave to the love of money, highlighting how money can become a master rather than a tool.

Fr. Matthias outlines nine signs that reveal an attachment to money, including compromising God's commandments for financial gain, envy of others’ possessions, damaging relationships for wealth, reluctance to give to the needy, neglecting spiritual life, seeking quick riches, excessive worry about the future, grumbling against God’s provision, and hoarding wealth at the expense of basic needs.

He encourages self-examination and a balance between work, family, and faith, urging trust in God’s provision over worldly riches and emphasizing the importance of laying up treasures in heaven.#LoveOfMoney #ChristianSermon #FaithOverWealth #HeavenlyTreasures #TrustInGod #SpiritualGrowth #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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16 min
February 27 [E5.2] Is a Holy Marriage Possible? | Living Incense
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the essential requirements for couples preparing for marriage in the Coptic Orthodox Church, emphasizing emotional, spiritual, and financial maturity. He discusses the role of premarital counseling, communication skills, and conflict resolution as foundational elements for a healthy marriage. Fr. Matthias addresses topics such as intellectual compatibility, age gaps, and red flags like selfishness and poor emotional intelligence that can affect marital harmony.
He then explains the biblical roles of husband and wife, stressing mutual love and respect along with the husband’s loving authority and the wife’s respectful submission. Fr. Matthias highlights how challenges arise when spouses fail to fulfill their roles and how patience, meekness, and treating each other beyond deservedness can encourage growth.
The talk also covers the impact of marital imbalance on children and offers guidance on protecting them from conflict. Throughout, Fr. Matthias insists the presence of God is vital for sustaining a godly marriage through all seasons of life.#HolyMarriage #CopticOrthodox #ChristianMarriage #GodlyMarriage #MarriageCounseling #FaithAndFamily #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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34 min
February 27 [E5.2] Is a Holy Marriage Possible? | Living Incense
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the essential requirements for couples preparing for marriage in the Coptic Orthodox Church, emphasizing emotional, spiritual, and financial maturity. He discusses the role of premarital counseling, communication skills, and conflict resolution as foundational elements for a healthy marriage. Fr. Matthias addresses topics such as intellectual compatibility, age gaps, and red flags like selfishness and poor emotional intelligence that can affect marital harmony.

He then explains the biblical roles of husband and wife, stressing mutual love and respect along with the husband’s loving authority and the wife’s respectful submission. Fr. Matthias highlights how challenges arise when spouses fail to fulfill their roles and how patience, meekness, and treating each other beyond deservedness can encourage growth.

The talk also covers the impact of marital imbalance on children and offers guidance on protecting them from conflict. Throughout, Fr. Matthias insists the presence of God is vital for sustaining a godly marriage through all seasons of life.#HolyMarriage #CopticOrthodox #ChristianMarriage #GodlyMarriage #MarriageCounseling #FaithAndFamily #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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34 min
February 27 Jonah the Prophet [Part 3] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his exploration of Jonah the Prophet, focusing on Jonah’s transformation and struggle with mercy and obedience. He explains how Jonah’s experience inside the fish symbolizes God’s plan for salvation, highlighting Jonah’s lack of compassion toward the Ninevites. Fr. Matthias discusses Jonah’s prayer, faith, and thanksgiving amid hardship, emphasizing God’s command over creation contrasting Jonah’s resistance.
The talk examines Jonah’s second calling to preach repentance in Nineveh, showing Jonah’s imperfect obedience and internal conflict. Fr. Matthias reflects on God’s mercy, restoration, and patience in both Jonah’s and humanity’s spiritual growth. He draws parallels with St. Peter’s restoration and stresses the importance of sacrifice, faith-based fasting, and genuine repentance for transformation.
Fr. Matthias also discusses God’s view of potential for change in others, humility in repentance, and the challenge of overcoming pride. The message challenges believers to respond to God’s call with faith and openness to personal sacrifice for others’ salvation.#JonahTheProphet #ChristianFaith #GodsMercy #Repentance #FaithAndObedience #SpiritualTransformation #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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51 min
February 27 Jonah the Prophet [Part 3] | The Harvest (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his exploration of Jonah the Prophet, focusing on Jonah’s transformation and struggle with mercy and obedience. He explains how Jonah’s experience inside the fish symbolizes God’s plan for salvation, highlighting Jonah’s lack of compassion toward the Ninevites. Fr. Matthias discusses Jonah’s prayer, faith, and thanksgiving amid hardship, emphasizing God’s command over creation contrasting Jonah’s resistance.

The talk examines Jonah’s second calling to preach repentance in Nineveh, showing Jonah’s imperfect obedience and internal conflict. Fr. Matthias reflects on God’s mercy, restoration, and patience in both Jonah’s and humanity’s spiritual growth. He draws parallels with St. Peter’s restoration and stresses the importance of sacrifice, faith-based fasting, and genuine repentance for transformation.

Fr. Matthias also discusses God’s view of potential for change in others, humility in repentance, and the challenge of overcoming pride. The message challenges believers to respond to God’s call with faith and openness to personal sacrifice for others’ salvation.#JonahTheProphet #ChristianFaith #GodsMercy #Repentance #FaithAndObedience #SpiritualTransformation #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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51 min
February 18 [E5.1] Is a Holy Marriage Possible? | Living Incense
Fr. Matthias discusses the challenges and realities of building a godly marriage in the 21st century. He explores common newlywed conflicts, societal shifts affecting marriage such as delayed marriage age, increased female workforce participation, and changing family dynamics. Fr. Matthias explains the Orthodox Christian view on marriage as a path to salvation, emphasizing sacrifice, forgiveness, and the presence of God in the couple’s life through active faith and church accountability.

He addresses how the institution of marriage has evolved from Old Testament practices and arranged marriages to modern dating, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and discernment in choosing a spouse. Fr. Matthias also talks about the church’s stance on procreation within marriage and the impact of societal trends on divorce rates. This discussion offers foundational insights into understanding and pursuing a marriage rooted in faith and commitment.#HolyMarriage #ChristianMarriage #OrthodoxFaith #MarriageInChrist #FaithAndFamily #GodlyMarriage #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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35 min