St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

By stpaulhoustonReligion & Spirituality Christianity

St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston episodes

February 05 09-10-2017 "Many Will Come in My Name" Sermon
Fr. Matthias Shehad examines the warnings about false prophets and teachings described in Matthew 24, emphasizing the end times' challenges for believers. He explains how false prophets use signs and wonders to deceive many, including the elect, and highlights the importance of discernment grounded in Scripture.
Fr. Matthias outlines key characteristics of a true prophet: their words come to pass, their teachings promote righteousness, their lives reflect godliness, and they uphold the divinity of Jesus Christ. He discusses various motivations behind false prophecy, such as personal gain, popular appeal, deception, and even influence by evil spirits.
Rooted in biblical passages and church tradition, this talk calls believers to be vigilant in understanding true doctrine and guarding against deception, especially as false teachings increase in the modern world.#FalseProphets #EndTimes #ChristianDiscernment #Matthew24 #BiblicalTeaching #Faithfulness #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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25 min
February 05 A Nutritious Guide to Fasting | Seminar (Sandra Mathoslah, PharmD)
Sandra Mathoslah, PharmD, explores the connection between fasting, nutrition, and spirituality in this seminar focused on nourishing the body to support the soul. Sandra emphasizes the importance of whole, unprocessed foods during fasting, highlighting the roles of plants, protein, and fats in a balanced diet. She discusses practical swaps for fasting meals, such as replacing animal protein with legumes and tofu, and cautions against using heated olive oil and processed vegan substitutes.
Sandra also covers hydration and electrolyte balance, the benefits of fermented foods for gut health, and mindful eating practices during fasting. She addresses supplement use, recommending careful selection with a focus on vitamin B12 and D, and shares tips for creating simple, nutritious meals and snacks. Throughout, she connects dietary choices to spiritual well-being, encouraging viewers to see food as essential fuel to serve God and others.#ChristianFasting #SpiritualNutrition #FaithAndHealth #MindfulFasting #NourishTheSoul #HealthyChristianLiving #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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1 hr 20 min
February 05 04-02-2016 Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers Sermon
In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers from Matthew 21. He explains how the parable reveals the magnitude of human sin in rejecting God's gifts and messengers, including the prophets and ultimately His Son, Jesus Christ. Fr. Matthias discusses the landowner’s efforts in preparing the vineyard and the patience God shows despite repeated rejection and hostility from the vinedressers.
He highlights the themes of God’s love, patience, and the consequences of sin. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the call to bear fruit with the talents and blessings God has given, serving Him faithfully rather than selfishly. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the coming judgment and an encouragement toward repentance during the Great Fast, urging believers to seek God’s mercy and live in gratitude for the gift of salvation.#ParableOfTheWickedVinedressers #ChristianSermon #Matthew21 #GodsPatience #FaithfulServants #GreatFast #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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19 min
February 05 10-08-2017 “Her Sins, Which Are Many, Are Forgiven” Sermon
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Gospel story of the sinful woman who anointed Christ’s feet and was forgiven, highlighting the contrast between her humble repentance and the self-righteous judgment of the Pharisee, Simon. He explains how Christ’s mercy is given to those who recognize their sins and come with sincere repentance, while those blinded by pride fail to receive forgiveness. Fr. Matthias discusses the importance of genuine confession, sacrifice, and faith in God’s forgiveness for salvation. He emphasizes that understanding our own sinfulness leads to humility and deeper love for God, whereas ignoring it results in spiritual blindness. The sermon also reflects on how Jesus responds to both the woman’s faith and the Pharisee’s skepticism, showing God's readiness to forgive sincere repentance. This teaching encourages self-examination, sincere repentance, and an appreciation of God’s mercy beyond outward appearances.#Forgiveness #Repentance #GospelMessage #ChristMercy #FaithAndHumility #ChristianSermon #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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27 min
February 05 2nd Maccabees 5-6 [Assault on Jerusalem & Persecuting the Jews] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores 2nd Maccabees chapters 5 and 6, detailing the political turmoil and persecution faced by the Jews under Greek rule. He explains the betrayal within Israel that enabled Antiochus IV to attack and desecrate the Temple, highlighting the imposition of Greek culture and pagan practices on the Jewish people. Fr. Matthias examines the conflict for the high priesthood, the brutal suppression of Jewish worship, and the desecration of the Temple by placing idols such as Jupiter inside it.
The study also covers the courage of faithful Jews like Eleazar, who chose martyrdom over violating their religious laws, and reflects on God's purpose in allowing these trials as a form of correction rather than destruction. Fr. Matthias connects these events with biblical prophecy and draws parallels to times of tribulation, emphasizing the call to remain steadfast in faith amid persecution.#2Maccabees #BibleStudy #FaithUnderPersecution #Martyrdom #JewishHistory #ChristianTeaching #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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47 min
February 05 Youth Attitudes Toward the Church, and What We Can Do About It | The Harvest (Joe Costandy)
Joe Costandy explores the challenges facing youth engagement in the Church and examines secular research on declining Christian affiliation among younger generations. He discusses factors such as youth feeling unwelcome, perceiving the Church as restrictive, and struggles with relevance and intellectual doubts. Joe highlights studies showing the strong influence of family religious conversations on maintaining faith and explains that many young people have their moral and religious views shaped by age 12 or 13. He also addresses common reasons youth give for leaving, including disagreements with social issues and the experience of judgment within the Church. Solutions focus on encouraging open faith conversations at home, involving parents more deeply, and creating a welcoming church environment that connects faith to real life. Joe underscores the importance of teaching children that repentance welcomes them back into the community. This talk provides insight into youth attitudes toward faith and practical steps toward nurturing lasting connection to the Church.#YouthAndFaith #ChurchEngagement #ChristianYouth #FaithConversations #ChurchCommunity #SpiritualGrowth #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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48 min
February 05 Parenting the Prodigal Son | St. Monica Parenting Meeting (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the parable of the Prodigal Son to reveal key lessons for parenting. He explains how the story highlights hidden challenges children may face and the importance of recognizing these early. Fr. Matthias discusses the balance between allowing children to experience consequences and avoiding overprotection, emphasizing the role of giving children freedom to make choices and learn responsibility.
He addresses issues of entitlement, materialism, and wastefulness, encouraging parents to teach financial responsibility and value beyond possessions. Fr. Matthias warns against rescuing children from every failure, advocating instead for allowing natural consequences to foster growth. He underscores the importance of modeling good behavior over giving excessive advice and stresses mercy within discipline, showing how love can guide children even when they stray.
Throughout, Fr. Matthias draws practical insights from the parable to help parents nurture independence, accountability, and spiritual maturity in their children.#ParentingTheProdigalSon #ChristianParenting #StMonicaParenting #FrMatthiasShehad #SpiritualParenting #ProdigalSonParable #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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1 hr 2 min
February 05 Harmony of the Gospels [The Anointing of Mary] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study on the harmony of the Gospels by exploring the events around Lazarus Saturday and the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany. He explains the significance of Lazarus’s resurrection as a foreshadowing of Christ’s own resurrection and discusses the division among the Jewish people and religious leaders in response to Jesus’s miracles. Fr. Matthias examines the motives behind the Sanhedrin’s plot to kill Jesus, highlighting the political concerns of the Pharisees and the fulfillment of prophecy through Caiaphas’s words. He also unpacks the symbolism of Mary’s costly anointing of Jesus, contrasting it with Judas Iscariot’s criticism, and reflects on the importance of faith and genuine sacrifice. The talk connects Old Testament traditions like the Passover and tithing with their New Testament fulfillment in Christ’s sacrifice, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over human plans and the extension of salvation beyond Israel to all nations.#HarmonyOfTheGospels #AnointingOfMary #BibleStudy #LazarusSaturday #ChristianFaith #ChristResurrection #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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1 hr 3 min
February 05 Raising Children [Becoming Parents] | ARK (Michael Sidrak)
Michael Sidrak explores key principles from Metropolitan Yusuf’s book *Raising Children*, which compiles over 30 years of sermons on Christian parenting. He emphasizes the importance of setting specific spiritual goals for children rather than vague or materialistic aims. Michael highlights three essential steps for parents: choosing the right influences for their children, instructing them through both words and example, and applying discipline with balance.
The discussion also covers the need for parents to maintain a unified approach combining grace and truth to avoid extremes of permissiveness or authoritarianism. Michael addresses gender differences in raising boys and girls, focusing on teaching boys responsible leadership and girls emotional discernment and self-advocacy.
This talk offers guidance on how to nurture children’s faith and character within a Christian framework, encouraging parents to protect their children’s spiritual well-being as diligently as their physical health.#ChristianParenting #FaithInChildren #RaisingGodlyChildren #SpiritualParenting #ParentingWithGrace #ChristianFamily #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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36 min
February 05 Harmony of the Gospels [Parables of Sower, the Candle, the Seed] | Bible Study (Fr. Matthias Shehad)
Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the harmony of the Gospels through key parables: the Parable of the Sower, the Candle (Lamp), the Seed, and the Mustard Seed. He compares the accounts across Matthew, Mark, and Luke, highlighting subtle differences and shared messages.
Fr. Matthias explains the spiritual meanings behind these parables, emphasizing how the word of God grows in different hearts and how faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can lead to great outcomes. He discusses the coexistence of good and evil in the world, stressing patience, repentance, and judgment reserved for God alone.
The talk also addresses practical Christian living, including how to engage with others living in sin while maintaining spiritual discernment. Fr. Matthias connects these teachings to the ongoing growth of the Church and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives.#HarmonyOfTheGospels #ParablesOfJesus #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #MustardSeedFaith #HolySpiritGrowth #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias
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53 min