St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the calling and equipping of those whom God sends to serve, based on the mission of the 70 apostles in Luke 10. He explains that God appoints and provides for His laborers, granting them authority, fellowship, divine protection, and power over spiritual battles. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that service is a faithful response to God’s call, using the gifts and talents He pr...

In this continuation of the study on the book Life of Faith by H.H. Pope Shenouda, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the concept of simplicity of faith. He discusses how simplicity is challenging to attain for intellectuals who often rely on scientific reasoning to evaluate God’s actions. Fr. Matthias explains that faith requires trusting God’s promises even when they transcend human understanding and...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Christian teaching on loving our enemies as presented in the Gospel on the Sermon on the Mount. He explains that loving enemies does not mean liking them or enjoying their company, but involves praying for them, forgiving them, and serving them as Christ did. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that this love is a divine gift that requires God’s transformation...

In this teaching from Fr. Matthias Shehad on the "Life of Faith" by H.H. Pope Shenouda, the focus is on understanding the nature and challenges of faith in the believer’s life. Fr. Matthias explores the consequences of deviating from faith, including the dangers of returning to worldly desires, greed, and false knowledge. He emphasizes the importance of a lived faith rooted in a personal relations...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of "Life of Faith" by H.H. Pope Shenouda, focusing on the nature and dimensions of faith. He explains faith as a comprehensive trust in God's promises, warnings, and the invisible work of the Holy Spirit, using biblical examples such as Noah, Abraham, and the apostles. Fr. Matthias addresses the challenges of believing in the unseen spiritual realities, incl...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the ways Christians are called to renounce Satan, drawing from biblical teachings and the example of Christ. He explains how spiritual warfare begins at baptism with the public renunciation of Satan and continues through daily prayer, repentance, and avoiding sin. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of resisting temptation by relying on God's power r...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of the paralyzed man lowered to Jesus for healing, emphasizing the greater importance of spiritual healing over physical. He discusses different forms of spiritual paralysis, including indifference to God, laziness, stagnation in faith, spiritual blindness, stubbornness against correction, and instability in belief. Each type prevents growth and communication...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning of the conviction of the Holy Spirit, as described in John 16, explaining how the Spirit convicts believers by awakening their conscience to sin and guiding them toward righteousness. He discusses the importance of maintaining a sensitive conscience and avoiding a hardened heart that ignores this conviction. Fr. Matthias highlights the role of the Holy Spir...

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues exploring the "Life of Faith" based on the teachings of H.H. Pope Shenouda III. He clarifies what faith truly means, emphasizing that faith goes beyond mere belief in God’s existence—it requires living according to God's will and obeying His commandments. Fr. Matthias discusses the difference between intellectual faith and a faith that results in action...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad reflects on John 16, where Jesus predicts that His disciples will abandon Him during His crucifixion. Fr. Matthias explores the different ways people leave God, drawing from biblical parables such as the prodigal son and the story of the rich young ruler. He discusses how chasing false freedom, rejecting love for others, being too busy for God, growing spiritual...

Fr. Matthias Shehad introduces a series based on H.H. Pope Shenouda’s "Life of Faith," exploring faith as a foundational aspect of Christian belief. He examines the nature of faith, contrasting it with worldly demands for proof and evidence, and highlights how faith requires trust in God’s promises beyond what can be physically verified. Fr. Matthias discusses biblical examples such as Gideon, Noa...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the authority of Christ as given by the Father and how this authority extends to Christians in multiple dimensions. He examines Christ’s authority over nature, sin, sickness, evil, and death, illustrating how believers share in these powers through their faith and the priesthood. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the Christian calling to exercise authority responsibly—subduing n...

In this final part of his series on Ecclesiastes, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the closing chapter of Solomon’s wisdom, emphasizing the importance of remembering God during youth while one still has strength and vitality. He explains the symbolic language describing old age and declining health as a reminder that spiritual growth is harder to achieve later in life. Fr. Matthias highlights the tran...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning of walking in the light according to biblical teachings, focusing on Christ as the light of the world. He discusses how praising God invites His light into our lives, and how meditating on Scripture provides guidance and clarity in daily decisions. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of fellowship with God and fellow believers to remain in the light, hig...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his detailed study of the book of Ecclesiastes, focusing on themes of wisdom, folly, and authentic righteousness. He explores King Solomon’s reflections on the dangers of superficiality, the impact of leadership on society, and the challenges of pursuing goodness in an unjust world. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of humility, vigilance against temptation, and...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of the Samaritan woman and its significance in understanding God's eternal work of salvation. He explains how God’s plan spans generations, from Old Testament prophecies to the disciples’ ministry, showing that salvation is a continuous process involving many laborers across time. Fr. Matthias highlights that God prepares and unfolds His work...

In this continuation of his series on Ecclesiastes, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores themes of death, spiritual warfare, and the nature of justice in the world. He reflects on the limits of human control over life and death, emphasizing that earthly power cannot influence the moment of death or the state of the spirit. Fr. Matthias discusses the ongoing battle against evil and the importance of vigila...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores some of the hard sayings of Christ found in the Gospel of John and other places in Scripture, focusing on key teachings that challenged Jesus' followers. He examines the difficulty many had in understanding Jesus as the bread of life and the call to partake in his body and blood, highlighting the spiritual meaning behind the Eucharist. Fr. Matthias addresses Jesus' tea...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning of faith in the unseen, reflecting on the story of Thomas and Christ’s post-resurrection appearances. He emphasizes the blessing of believing without direct evidence, using biblical examples like Abraham, Moses, the centurion, the woman with the flow of blood, and Peter walking on water to illustrate how faith motivates action and perseveran...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of Ecclesiastes, focusing on the challenges of living wisely amid human weakness and temptation. He explores how true wisdom requires humility and dependence on God’s grace, rather than mere willpower or resolution. Drawing on King Solomon’s experiences, Fr. Matthias explains the contrast between folly and wisdom, highlighting the dangers of hidden agendas a...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores why people often fail to recognize Christ’s presence in their lives, using the story of St. Mary Magdalene at the tomb as a starting point. Fr. Matthias discusses how trials, waiting, discipline, temptation, and loneliness can cloud the perception of God’s nearness, drawing examples from biblical figures like Job, Abraham, Jonah, Daniel, and Elijah. He...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the meaning of genuine faith by reflecting on the events of Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. He highlights how faith is more than outward praise—true faith requires embracing the cross, enduring trials, and being faithful beyond initial enthusiasm. Fr. Matthias contrasts superficial faith with a transformative relationship with Christ, emphasizing the need f...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the three stages of spiritual growth through the story of the man born blind from John chapter 9. He explains how the man’s progression—from simply knowing Jesus as a man, to recognizing Him as a prophet, and finally to worshiping Him as the Son of God—reflects our own journey toward a deeper relationship with God. Fr. Matthias describes the characteristics of each sta...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of the paralyzed man at the pool, highlighting key spiritual lessons from his 38 years of waiting for healing. He emphasizes the lasting consequences that a single sin can bring and how each person must bear their own struggles and sufferings alone. Fr. Matthias discusses the importance of perseverance in prayer and faith, even when healing or...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Ecclesiastes chapter 7, focusing on King Solomon's reflections about wisdom, wealth, prosperity, and adversity. He explains the relationship between wisdom and money, emphasizing how wisdom provides lasting life while riches can be fleeting. Fr. Matthias discusses the purpose of trials and prosperity as appointed by God for our growth and spiritual maturity, urging bel...