St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the spirituality of fasting beyond mere dietary changes. He emphasizes that fasting is meant to cultivate self-mastery, helping believers control their desires and passions rather than simply abstaining from certain foods. Fr. Matthias explains that fasting supports spiritual growth by fostering repentance, virtue, and detachment from worldly attachments, allowing a deeper focus on the kingdom of God.

He highlights common misconceptions, such as fasting to earn forgiveness or to afflict oneself, underscoring that fasting must be accompanied by prayer, humility, and acts of kindness like helping the poor. Drawing from Scripture and the teachings of Church Fathers, Fr. Matthias stresses that a true fast involves transformation of the whole being—not just the body but also the tongue, eyes, and actions.

The sermon concludes with a call to approach fasting with the right spirit, avoiding pride and indulgence, so that the fast becomes a means of breaking sinful habits and growing closer to God.#ChristianFasting #SpiritualGrowth #FrMatthiasShehad #FaithAndFasting #ChristianDiscipline #KingdomOfGod #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Eric Tadros explores the life and writings of St. Justin Martyr, an early 2nd-century Christian apologist who converted from pagan philosophy. Eric outlines Justin’s role in defending Christian theology against Roman, Jewish, and pagan accusations such as atheism, cannibalism, and sedition during times of persecution.

He highlights Justin's use of reason and philosophy to explain Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of truth and reason alongside faith. Eric also reviews Justin’s descriptions of early Christian sacramental practices, including baptism, liturgy, and the Eucharist, showing continuity with biblical traditions and the development of worship in the apostles’ era.

Justin’s writings provide a firsthand window into the early church’s beliefs and practices, affirming the enduring significance of baptism and the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion. This talk offers historical context and theological insights vital for understanding Christian origins.#StJustinMartyr #ChristianApologetics #EarlyChurchHistory #ChristianFaith #Sacraments #ChurchFathers #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores why Christ gives special attention to certain individuals amid crowds, using biblical examples like Zacchaeus and the paralyzed man. He examines seven reasons for this focused care: great love shown by friends, extreme personal need, strong faith, fearless boldness despite ridicule, long-lasting patience, persistence after disappointment, and courageous vocal requests for healing.

Through stories of healing and compassion, Fr. Matthias highlights how Christ sees beyond the masses to address unique struggles and sincere faith. He encourages viewers to develop these qualities in their own spiritual lives to receive God’s mercy and grace. The message emphasizes persistence, faith, and boldness in prayer while trusting in God’s wise and compassionate response to each individual’s heart and need.#GodsCare #ChristianFaith #HealingInChrist #FaithAndPersistence #BoldnessInPrayer #ChristCompassion #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores some of the difficult teachings of Jesus Christ, focusing on key moments like the institution of the Eucharist, the concept of being born again, the Lord’s crucifixion, and the call to humility and self-denial. He explains why many disciples struggled with these teachings and how they often require spiritual understanding rather than a literal interpretation.

Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of approaching these teachings with the right understanding, faith, and willingness to practice even before fully comprehending them. He emphasizes the role of the Word of God in revealing deeper spiritual meanings and encourages cultivating a spiritual mindset to perceive God’s ways beyond human logic.

This message addresses common challenges in accepting biblical truths and calls believers to trust in God’s plan, live by faith, and grow in spiritual insight.#DifficultTeachings #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #JesusTeachings #BiblicalUnderstanding #ChristianSermon #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this continuation of Lessons from the Life of Job, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores how trials reveal spiritual wisdom and deepen faith. He discusses the role of suffering in breaking pride, cultivating humility, and fostering submission to God’s will, even when His plans differ from our desires. Fr. Matthias explains how trials invite repentance, highlight the limits of human understanding, and show that comforting others can sometimes unintentionally burden rather than help. Drawing on biblical examples like King David, Joseph, and the Book of Tobit, he emphasizes that God’s purpose in suffering is ultimately for His glory and our growth. The talk concludes with reflections on trusting God’s provision, seeking His kingdom first, and finding peace in surrender, following Christ’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Fr. Matthias encourages believers to maintain faith through hardship, knowing that after the storm, comfort and a clearer vision of God awaits.#LifeOfJob #ChristianFaith #SpiritualGrowth #TrustInGod #FaithThroughTrials #GodsPurpose #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores common questions about alleged contradictions and discrepancies in the Holy Scriptures, focusing on how to approach and understand these challenges. He discusses the importance of context, background Christian beliefs, and the variety of literary genres present in the Bible such as poetry, prophecy, and parables, which affect interpretation.

Fr. Matthias addresses examples often cited as contradictions, including differing numbers, the sequence of events, and varied descriptions in the Gospels. He explains how cultural context, translation nuances, and differences in literary style clarify these issues.

The talk emphasizes that the Bible’s inspiration by the Holy Spirit ensures its infallibility, despite minor copyist errors or translation differences. Fr. Matthias encourages faithful and discerning reading, trusting that apparent discrepancies can be explained within the broader scriptural and theological context.#HolyScriptures #BibleStudy #FrMatthiasShehad #ChristianFaith #ScriptureInspiration #BibleInterpretation #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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Fr. Matthias Shehad explores two major schools of biblical interpretation: the School of Antioch, which emphasizes a literal and historical understanding of scripture, and the School of Alexandria, to which the Coptic Church belongs, known for its allegorical and symbolic readings. He explains how biblical events, such as the brazen serpent, Jonah in the fish, the Passover unleavened bread, and figures like Adam, Sarah, and Hagar, hold deeper spiritual meanings beyond their literal accounts. Fr. Matthias illustrates how church fathers like St. Ambrose and Origen applied allegory to reveal hidden mysteries in scripture, enriching our understanding of salvation history, Christ’s work, and Christian life. He also discusses the importance of studying the writings of the early church fathers and introduces resources like the Katina Bible app for exploring diverse interpretations. This teaching offers a foundation for engaging with scripture through both history and spiritual meditation.#BiblicalInterpretation #HolyScriptures #ChurchFathers #CopticOrthodox #SpiritualMeditation #SalvationHistory #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his exposition of Leviticus chapters 9 to 11, focusing on the consecration and duties of the priests, the significance of the offerings—including sin, burnt, peace, and grain offerings—and the divine fire that confirmed God's approval. Fr. Matthias explains the strict regulations given to Aaron and his sons about priestly conduct, highlighting the consequences of disobedience through the episode of Nadab and Abihu’s offering of profane fire.

He also examines the laws concerning clean and unclean animals, detailing the criteria for clean land animals, fish, birds, and insects, and their spiritual symbolism. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the distinction between physical and spiritual holiness, showing how these Old Testament laws pointed to deeper truths fulfilled in the New Covenant. This study clarifies the purpose of ritual purity and priesthood as God’s ordained means for approaching Him.#LeviticusStudy #OldTestament #Priesthood #CleanAndUnclean #BibleStudy #ChristianTeaching #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Leviticus chapters 7 and 8, focusing on the detailed laws of offerings and the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. Fr. Matthias explains the specific roles priests play in various sacrifices, including the sin, trespass, burnt, grain, and peace offerings, highlighting the significance of the fat, blood, and portions reserved for God and the priests.

He also discusses the ceremonial preparation and ordination process of the priests, including the symbolic washing, dressing in priestly garments, anointing with oil, and the sacrificial rituals that consecrate them for service. The study connects Old Testament priesthood practices with the ultimate high priesthood of Christ and emphasizes the importance of purity, obedience, and support for the priestly ministry as a divine calling.#Leviticus #Priesthood #BibleStudy #OldTestament #ChristianTeaching #FrMatthiasShehad #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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In this Bible study, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his in-depth exploration of Leviticus chapters 5 and 6, focusing on the detailed laws of the sin, trespass, burnt, and grain offerings. Fr. Matthias explains the distinctions between sin offerings, which address unintentional sins, and trespass offerings, which involve specific restitution for wrongs done against God’s holy things or to others. He examines the requirements for confession, the roles of priests in these offerings, and the significance of maintaining the altar fire, which symbolized God’s presence. The teaching highlights how the Old Testament laws foreshadow concepts of repentance, forgiveness, and justice. Fr. Matthias also discusses the spiritual meaning and practical applications of these ancient practices in light of New Testament understanding, emphasizing discernment and the heart’s intention in offering sacrifices.#LeviticusStudy #BibleTeachings #OfferingsInLeviticus #ChristianFaith #OldTestamentLaws #BibleStudyWithFrMatthias #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias

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