St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

H.G. Bishop Paul of Africa teaches about worshiping God with a heart in need, drawing from the Gospel account of the paralytic lowered through the roof to meet Christ. H.G. Bishop Paul explains that true worship begins with recognizing spiritual weakness and coming to Jesus with humility, hunger, and faith rather than routine or habit .

H.G. Bishop Paul reflects on the role of the Holy Spirit in awakening awareness of need, inspiring repentance, and guiding believers creatively toward salvation. He emphasizes that Christ desires to forgive sins, heal the heart first, and restore a living relationship with God before addressing outward struggles.

H.G. Bishop Paul concludes by calling the Church to be a place of healing, forgiveness, and renewal, urging each person to approach worship expecting God’s mercy, transformation, and saving presence.#WorshipWithHeart #HGbBishopPaul #ChristianSermon #FaithAndHealing #HolySpiritGuidance #ForgivenessAndRenewal #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias explores chapters 5 and 6 of the Book of Tobit, highlighting Tobit's blindness and family struggles, and Tobias’ mission to retrieve a debt to support them. Fr. Matthias explains how God works secretly through people and circumstances, introducing the angel Raphael as Tobias’ guide, and discusses the importance of faith and internal peace amid suffering.

He emphasizes that experiencing negative emotions does not equate to lack of faith, using biblical examples like Tobit, Job, David, and Elijah. Fr. Matthias discusses how spiritual peace differs from worldly peace and encourages trusting God’s plan even when it involves trials.

The talk also covers Tobias’ encounter with a giant fish, the symbolic victory over evil by obeying God, and the significance of marriage motivated by love and faithfulness rather than lust. Fr. Matthias explains how God’s healing power is manifest in the story and the role of obedience in discerning God’s will.#BookOfTobit #FaithInTrials #AngelRaphael #ChristianFellowship #SpiritualPeace #GodsHealingPower #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad discusses the challenges and solutions for healing broken relationships. He examines common mistakes such as ignoring problems, blaming others, waiting for apologies, retaliating, and prematurely leaving relationships. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of open communication, taking personal responsibility, and initiating reconciliation even without an apology. He explains how forgiveness, rooted in recognizing our own need for mercy, plays a crucial role in restoring connections. Patience is highlighted as essential since healing often requires time and repeated efforts. Fr. Matthias encourages viewers to reflect on their own relationships and consider who they might forgive or approach for reconciliation. This message offers practical guidance for navigating conflict and fostering healthier, lasting relationships from a spiritual perspective.#HealingRelationships #ForgivenessInChrist #ChristianReconciliation #FaithAndHealing #SpiritualGrowth #MercyAndGrace #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores key Gospel passages focusing on faith, perseverance, and repentance through stories like the healing of the blind men in Jericho, the encounter with Zacchaeus, and the parable of the minas. He examines how faith enables believers to overcome obstacles in their spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of persistent prayer and action.

Fr. Matthias highlights Christ’s compassion shown in healing and personal outreach, illustrating how God knows each individual by name and calls each to repentance and transformation. The discussion includes the significance of using God-given talents wisely until Christ’s return, and the consequences of rejecting God's authority.

This Bible study provides insights into the harmony of the Gospels and practical lessons on living out faith actively, even amid trials, preparing believers for the approach of Holy Week.#BibleStudy #HarmonyOfTheGospels #FaithAndRepentance #ZacchaeusStory #MinasParable #ChristianLiving #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the theme of thanksgiving through the story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, highlighting how she navigated sorrow, prayer, and faith despite her barrenness. He discusses Hannah’s personal pain, the provocation from her rival, and how she turned to honest prayer rather than bitterness or escape. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer, trust in God’s wisdom, and finding peace in His presence regardless of whether prayers are immediately answered.

The talk delves into the spiritual significance of free will, God’s protection, and the purpose behind suffering. Drawing lessons from Hannah’s vow and Eli’s blessing, Fr. Matthias encourages embracing patience, contentment, and a deepened relationship with God. This Bible study offers reflections on faith, repentance, and the transformative power of prayer in the midst of trials.#Thanksgiving #HannahBibleStudy #FaithAndPrayer #ChristianFaith #GodsWisdom #TrustInGod #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the harmony of the Gospels by examining the early miracles of Christ recorded across different accounts. He discusses key miracles such as the healing of the nobleman’s son at Capernaum, the casting out of a demon-possessed man in the synagogue, the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and the cleansing of a leper. Fr. Matthias explains the significance of Jesus’ authority in teaching and miracles, the role of faith in healing, and the deeper spiritual meanings behind these events. He also addresses how Christ balanced his healing ministry with his mission to preach the kingdom of God, emphasizing the importance of prayer, faith, and understanding Old Testament law fulfillment. The discussion includes insights on demon possession, the nature of Christ’s miracles, and how the public’s response to Jesus evolved during his ministry.#MiraclesOfChrist #HarmonyOfTheGospels #BibleStudy #FaithAndHealing #JesusMiracles #GospelTeachings #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the parable of the persistent widow from the Gospel of Luke, highlighting the importance of persistent prayer and faith in God’s timing. He explains how God, unlike the unjust judge, responds to His children’s prayers with compassion and wisdom.

Fr. Matthias then discusses the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, contrasting self-righteousness with humility and repentance. He emphasizes that God accepts those who acknowledge their sins and seek His mercy, rather than those who boast of their own righteousness.

The talk includes teachings on marriage and divorce, focusing on God’s original design for a lifelong union and the spiritual significance of marriage as a path to salvation. Fr. Matthias addresses questions about humility, spiritual balance, and the challenges of living a faithful Christian life.

This study provides a deeper understanding of prayer, repentance, and Christian living rooted in scripture and Orthodox tradition.#BibleStudy #ParableOfThePhariseeAndTaxCollector #ChristianFaith #PrayerAndRepentance #OrthodoxChristianity #GodsMercy #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of Christ raising Lazarus, focusing on the phrase "He whom you love is sick" to reveal how Christ’s love is manifested in our lives. He explains the true meaning of love through four key aspects: sacrifice, unworthiness, magnitude, and freedom. Fr. Matthias discusses how Christ’s love is shown in His willing sacrifice despite our unworthiness, the great gift of salvation, and His choice to love us freely, not by compulsion.

He emphasizes the need to imitate this divine love in our relationships, explaining that real love involves sacrifice, loving the unworthy, giving beyond convenience, and choosing freely to love. Fr. Matthias also contrasts genuine love with mere liking and highlights love's role in sustaining marriages and friendships.

This sermon offers a biblical foundation for understanding and practicing sacrificial love as Christ demonstrated.#ChristLove #SacrificialLove #LazarusSermon #ChristianFaith #DivineLove #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad reflects on Christ’s teachings about sorrow and joy before His crucifixion, emphasizing the Christian call to carry the cross. Fr. Matthias explains that worldly joys are temporary and can be taken away, while the joy Christ promises after sorrow is lasting and cannot be taken away.

He addresses common attitudes toward suffering and the cross, including ignorance, carelessness, offense, fear, and contrasts these with the correct attitude of obedience as exemplified by St. Peter. The talk challenges believers to embrace the crosses God permits in their lives, understanding them as part of spiritual growth and salvation. Fr. Matthias invites listeners to personally ask God what cross they are called to carry for their journey with Christ, emphasizing the importance of following Him through both sorrow and joy.#AttitudesTowardsTheCross #ChristianSermon #CarryYourCross #FaithAndSuffering #JoyInChrist #SpiritualGrowth #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Jesus’ teachings on covetousness, worry, and watchfulness as the Lord journeys toward Jerusalem. Fr. Matthias explains the difference between planning and worry, emphasizing Christ’s call to trust God for our needs rather than fixating on material possessions. Using examples from nature and parables, he highlights the importance of seeking the kingdom of God first and storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

Fr. Matthias also unpacks the call to be watchful and prepared for the Lord’s return, illustrating the consequences of neglecting spiritual stewardship and the blessings for those who remain faithful. He discusses the division Christ’s message brings and the necessity of repentance before judgment. The study concludes with reflections on faith, mercy, and the power of Christ’s healing.

This teaching provides guidance on living a life centered on spiritual vigilance, trust in God’s provision, and readiness for the coming of the Son of Man.#BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #Watchfulness #FaithInGod #KingdomOfGod #TrustInJesus #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston

Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston

Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston

Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org