St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

By stpaulhoustonReligion & Spirituality Christianity

St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston episodes

February 05 Philippians 3 [That I May Know Him] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues exploring the themes of joy and perseverance in Saint Paul's Epistle to the Philippians. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual training through consistent practice of faith rather than seeking new teachings. Fr. Matthias explains Paul’s warning against Judaizers who insisted on physical circumcision, contrasting it with the true righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.
He reflects on Paul’s message of counting worldly gains as loss to attain true knowledge of Christ, highlighting the necessity of embracing suffering and carrying the cross as part of Christian discipleship. Fr. Matthias also discusses the process of spiritual growth, the power of the Resurrection experienced inwardly, and urges believers to press toward the heavenly goal with persistence, using Paul and the saints as examples to follow. The teaching challenges listeners to deepen their relationship with God through faithful obedience rather than mere intellectual understanding.#Philippians3 #BibleStudy #FaithInChrist #ChristianDiscipleship #SpiritualPerseverance #KnowChrist #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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1 hr 6 min
February 05 Psalm 139:1-12 [The All-Knowing and All-Present God] | Bible Study (@MetropolitanYoussef_SUSCopts)
H.E. Metropolitan Youssef explores Psalm 139:1-12, focusing on the themes of God's omniscience and omnipresence. He explains how David expresses that God’s knowledge of us is intimate and exhaustive, encompassing every action, thought, and word. Metropolitan Youssef highlights the Psalm’s use as a prayer before confession, emphasizing self-examination guided by the Holy Spirit.
The discussion covers the inescapable presence of God, who surrounds us with protection and care, no matter where we go—whether in heaven, earth, or the depths. Metropolitan Youssef interprets David’s reflections on God’s guidance even in darkness or trouble, portraying God’s presence as a source of comfort and strength. He also contrasts the secure closeness of God with the fear it may evoke in those who reject Him.
This study unpacks the spiritual depth of Psalm 139, emphasizing God’s knowledge and presence as foundations for hope, guidance, and support throughout life’s journey.#Psalm139 #GodsOmniscience #GodsOmnipresence #BibleStudy #MetropolitanYoussef #ChristianFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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42 min
February 05 Abiding in God | The Harvest (Michael Sidrak)
Michael Sidrak discusses the concept of abiding in God, drawing mainly from His Holiness Pope Shenouda’s teachings. He explains that abiding means maintaining an uninterrupted, heart-to-heart connection with Christ and the Holy Trinity, which requires consistent faith, love, and obedience to God’s commandments. Michael explores biblical examples such as King Solomon, Israel in the wilderness, Samson, and others who began strong in faith but struggled due to distractions, legalism, false ideologies, or divided hearts.
He emphasizes the dangers of loving God’s blessings more than God Himself, the impact of ungodly environments, and the importance of purifying one's intentions in service. Michael highlights prayer, scripture, and holy communion as essential means to abide in God, encouraging believers to persevere, choose love over pride, and reject compromise or deception. The talk calls for self-examination, repentance, and reliance on God’s grace to finish faithfully in the spiritual race.#AbidingInGod #FaithfulLiving #ChristianObedience #SpiritualRace #HolyCommunion #GodsGrace #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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42 min
February 05 12-31-2017 Measuring Our Spiritual Growth Sermon
Fr. Matthias Shehad reflects on the spiritual growth of St. John the Baptist as a model for believers to develop their own faith journey. He explores ten practical ways to measure growth in the spiritual life, including cultivating a hunger for God's truth, recognizing sin and embracing repentance, and increasing reliance on the Holy Spirit. Fr. Matthias discusses the importance of desiring to serve God daily, obeying Him regardless of the outcome, and deepening faith rooted in trust rather than understanding. The talk emphasizes valuing eternal treasures over earthly ones, fostering a love for private prayer, seeking God’s will in decision-making, and maintaining an ongoing awareness of God’s presence. Through these measures, believers can assess their progress in virtue and love, growing stronger in spirit as they prepare to live out their faith fully.#SpiritualGrowth #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #HolySpirit #Repentance #PrayerLife #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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27 min
February 05 Harmony of the Gospels [Miracles of Christ [Pt3] & 12 Disciples] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad continues the Bible study on the Harmony of the Gospels by exploring several miracles of Christ found in the Gospel of Matthew and the calling of the 12 disciples. He examines Jesus healing two blind men and a demon-possessed mute man, highlighting the importance of faith in receiving healing and forgiveness. Fr. Matthias explains the spiritual significance behind Jesus forgiving the sins of a paralytic before healing him physically, emphasizing the priority of spiritual salvation over physical needs.
He also discusses the calling of Matthew the tax collector, showing how Jesus reached out to sinners and the response of the Pharisees. Fr. Matthias addresses the question of fasting, explaining its connection to Jesus’ presence as the bridegroom and the shift from Old Testament practices to the New Covenant. The talk encourages persistence in prayer, faith in God’s power and mercy, and embracing the spiritual transformation Jesus offers.#HarmonyOfTheGospels #MiraclesOfChrist #12Disciples #BibleStudy #FaithAndHealing #JesusCallingDisciples #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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1 hr 15 min
February 05 2nd Maccabees 11-12 [Defeat of Lysias and the Nomads] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of 2nd Maccabees chapters 11 and 12, focusing on the military struggles between the Jewish people and the Greek forces under the rule of Antiochus and his successors. He explains how Lysias, guardian of the young king, leads a large army to besiege Jerusalem, but is defeated through prayer and divine intervention.
Fr. Matthias highlights the peace treaty negotiated between Judas Maccabeus and the Greek authorities, the ongoing threats from Greek generals and hostile neighbors, and Judas’s military campaigns to defend and restore Jewish territories. The discussion explores the political dynamics, warfare tactics, and the importance of faith and prayer during these conflicts.
Additionally, Fr. Matthias addresses the belief in the resurrection of the dead and the practice of praying for the deceased, as described in this biblical text. This study offers historical context on the Maccabean revolt and its significance in Jewish history.#2Maccabees #BibleStudy #MaccabeanRevolt #JudasMaccabeus #ChristianFaith #PrayerAndFaith #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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43 min
February 05 2nd Peter 1:9-2:22 [Pursue God & False Teachers' Deceptions] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores 2 Peter 1:9-2:22, emphasizing the call for Christians to pursue holiness and spiritual growth through virtues such as faith, perseverance, and love. He explains that genuine faith results in transformation and warns against a superficial Christianity that ignores sanctification.
Fr. Matthias addresses the danger of false teachers who distort Scripture for personal gain, leading others astray with destructive heresies. He highlights their characteristics, including pride, covetousness, and ignorance, and underscores the seriousness of divine judgment on such individuals.
The teaching also reflects on the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies witnessed by St. Peter, contrasting true apostolic faith with the deceit of false doctrines. Fr. Matthias calls for vigilance in following the apostolic tradition to safeguard the faith and resist spiritual deception.#BibleStudy #2Peter #ChristianFaith #FalseTeachers #SpiritualGrowth #Sanctification #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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1 hr 4 min
February 05 Speaking Truth C.L.E.A.R.ly | Sermon (Fr. Polycarpus Shoukry of @StMarkHTX)
Fr. Polycarpus Shoukry explores the contrasting ministries of St. John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, focusing on the call to boldly share the truth of repentance and salvation despite rejection or hardship. He explains how truth, when coupled with courage, love, empathy, accuracy, and respect—represented by the acronym C.L.E.A.R.—can effectively reach others and bring healing rather than hurt. Drawing from biblical examples such as King David and the Samaritan woman, Fr. Polycarpus emphasizes the importance of knowing Scripture deeply to communicate the truth faithfully. He also highlights the essential role of prayer in preparing one to share truth with the right heart and spirit. This sermon invites listeners to courageously speak truth as a reflection of Christ, aiming to save and restore souls through honest, compassionate dialogue.#ChristianSermon #SpeakTheTruth #FaithAndCourage #BiblicalTeaching #RepentanceAndSalvation #ChristianMinistry #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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22 min
February 05 The Family Altar: Family Prayer | The ARK (Peter Awad)
Peter Awad discusses the importance of family prayer, exploring its spiritual and practical benefits. He explains how gathering as a family to pray fosters gratitude, unity, forgiveness, and improved relationships. Peter shares insights on the challenges families face in establishing regular prayer, such as time constraints, tension, and uncertainty about how to pray, offering practical advice to overcome these obstacles.
Peter highlights studies showing that shared prayer strengthens marriages, promotes emotional and physical health, and positively impacts children's development by reducing risks like depression and substance abuse. He emphasizes the vital role of fathers in leading family prayer and church attendance, stating that their involvement significantly influences children’s long-term spiritual commitment.
Drawing on personal experiences, Peter encourages patience and consistency in building a family prayer routine, reminding parents that their example has a powerful impact on their children's faith and well-being.#FamilyPrayer #ChristianFamily #FaithInPrayer #SpiritualGrowth #FamilyAltar #PrayerTogether #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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52 min
February 05 To the Glory of God | The Harvest (Michael Sedrak)
Michael Sedrak explores what it means to glorify God through practical steps rooted in Scripture. He explains that glorifying God begins with doing good works with the right attitude and gratitude, emphasizing wholehearted effort done as if serving the Lord rather than people.
Michael highlights the importance of relying on God’s help in all we do, reminding that without Him, our efforts are in vain. He discusses how faith sometimes requires obeying God’s commands even when they don’t make sense from a human perspective, using biblical examples like Abraham’s trust and the disciples’ obedience.
Throughout the talk, Michael stresses that glorifying God benefits us spiritually, renewing our souls and empowering us for service. He concludes by showing that when we glorify God, we partake in His glory, becoming united with Him through humility and faith.#GlorifyGod #FaithInAction #ChristianLiving #ServeTheLord #TrustInGod #BiblicalObedience #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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36 min