St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church of Houston

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of the book of Ecclesiastes, focusing on the analogy of the fruitful soul as a well-tended field and exploring the theme of wealth and contentment. He explains how the love of riches can lead to dissatisfaction, anxiety, and spiritual emptiness, contrasting the peace found in simple labor with the restlessness of the wealthy. Drawing on biblical examples lik...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the story of the Samaritan woman at the well to illustrate the importance of acknowledging sin honestly. He emphasizes transparency in repentance, showing how calling sin by its true name leads to deeper conversion and spiritual growth. Fr. Matthias explains the difference between Godly sorrow that brings repentance and worldly sorrow that leads to despair, highlightin...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his study of the Book of Ecclesiastes, focusing on the themes of oppression, vanity, and the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits found in chapter 4. He explores King Solomon’s reflections on injustice under the sun, the emptiness of wealth and skill without eternal value, and the contrast between meaningful suffering for believers and aimless suffering for non-believe...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the parable of the Prodigal Son to address the consequences of straying from God. He explains that although God's mercy is infinite, the cost of wandering away includes emotional pain, spiritual numbness, and long-lasting damage to one’s life and relationships. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that sin leads to isolation and a hardening of the heart, making retu...

Fr. Matthias Shehad begins a new Bible study series on the Book of Ecclesiastes, focusing on King Solomon's reflections on life, wisdom, and labor. He explains Solomon’s divine wisdom, prosperity, and eventual turn from God due to worldly distractions. Fr. Matthias highlights the theme of vanity in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing that life without God is futile despite worldly achievements. He explores...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his series on the Book of Ecclesiastes, focusing on chapter 2 and the theme of the human pursuit of pleasure and accomplishment. He explores how King Solomon sought fulfillment through entertainment, wealth, wisdom, and labor, yet found these efforts ultimately "vanity" and meaningless apart from God. Fr. Matthias discusses the proper balance between work, rest, and e...

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his exploration of the Book of Ecclesiastes, focusing on the theme of life’s seasons as described by King Solomon. He explains how life encompasses various physical, emotional, financial, relational, and spiritual stages, each with its own challenges and lessons. Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of adapting to change and understanding that no seaso...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the nature and tactics of the diabolic war, focusing on how the devil tempts and attacks believers. He explains three main strategies the devil uses: compromising our will through desires, harmful influences, and postponing repentance; confusing our minds by misusing scripture, promoting false ideologies, and fostering negative thoughts; and depriving us of God’s grace...

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his discussion on the life of contentment, exploring key factors that impact whether a person experiences true satisfaction and peace. He addresses obstacles such as a lack of thanksgiving, unhealthy comparisons, unrealistic expectations, materialism, desire for control, and spiritual emptiness. Fr. Matthias explains how faith, patience, and trust in God...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the message from the Gospel of St. Matthew about not worrying about tomorrow and focusing on laying up treasures in Heaven. He distinguishes between worrying and caring for the future, emphasizing the importance of planning with faith rather than being paralyzed by anxiety. Fr. Matthias highlights trusting God over trying to control every outcome and li...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Gospel account of the feeding of the 5,000, focusing on the theme of recognizing our insufficiency and relying on God’s provision. Through this passage, Fr. Matthias explains how Christ reveals the disciples’ inability to solve problems on their own, emphasizing that human effort alone falls short. He highlights the example of the young boy who offered five loaves...

Eric Tadros addresses the widespread issue of slander in society and its implications in Christian life. He explains the definition of slander as speaking negatively about others behind their backs, regardless of the truth, and emphasizes how it displeases God and harms spiritual unity. Eric explores biblical teachings that link slander with a judgmental spirit and hypocrisy, illustrating how it c...

Fr. Polycarpus Shoukry explores the presence of God revealed through signs in everyday life and Scripture. He reflects on how Jesus’ miracles, such as feeding the five thousand and healing the ten lepers, call us to look beyond physical sight and perceive God with spiritual eyes. Fr. Polycarpus emphasizes the importance of seeking God in small moments and ordinary objects, comparing life to a trea...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the life of contentment by addressing common challenges that affect our happiness. He explains how human nature often leads us to take blessings for granted and focus on imperfections rather than appreciating what we have. Drawing from scripture, Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of thankfulness, avoiding comparisons with others, and setting realistic expectations...

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the concept of spiritual blindness through the story of the man born blind in the Gospel. He explains how physical blindness was healed by Christ, while the Pharisees remained spiritually blind by rejecting Him. Fr. Matthias outlines several causes of spiritual blindness, including a lack of self-reflection, self-pity, attachment to beloved sins, pride,...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the reasons why people search for Christ, reflecting on the transition from the ministry of St. John the Baptist to that of Jesus Christ. He examines various motives behind people’s pursuit of Christ, such as opposition, misguided desires, seeking earthly riches, justifying actions, craving miracles, and seeking social acceptance. Fr. Matthias emphasizes that many come...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores key passages from Chapters 12 to 14 of the Book of Revelation, focusing on the symbolic figures of the dragon, the beasts, and the woman representing the Church. He explains the concept of the "anti-Trinity" and the roles of the Beast from the sea and the Beast from the earth, detailing their relationship to Satan’s deception and the persecution of believers. Fr. Matth...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the spiritual significance of water and baptism, highlighting how God uses physical elements like water to perform spiritual transformation. Drawing from Scripture, Fr. Matthias discusses water’s role in creation, renewal, deliverance, and healing, citing examples such as the flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, Naaman’s healing, and the restoration of sight to the man...

Michael Sedrak explores key lessons from the life of St. Anthony, the father of Christian monasticism, drawing from the biography written by St. Athanasius. He highlights the importance of spiritual discipline, regular self-reflection, and faith in receiving God's blessings. Michael emphasizes St. Anthony’s reverence for clergy, his strong stance against heresy, and his commitment to rejoicing in...

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his series on "Get Your House in Order" by focusing on conflict resolution within the home. He explores various causes of conflict such as pride, rebellion, and misunderstandings, and emphasizes responding to conflicts with patience, wisdom, and compassion. Drawing on biblical examples, Fr. Matthias explains how disagreements can be managed respectfully without damagi...

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores lessons from the life of King Saul, focusing on the seriousness of sin and its consequences. He discusses key biblical events where Saul’s disobedience, such as offering a sacrifice himself and sparing Amalekite livestock, led to his rejection by God. Fr. Matthias contrasts Saul’s lack of repentance with King David’s humility in sin, emphasizing the impor...

In this continuation of the lessons from the life of King Saul, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores five key spiritual insights. He emphasizes the seriousness of sin through Saul’s repeated disobedience and highlights Saul’s spiritual blindness, focusing on others’ faults while ignoring his own. Fr. Matthias explains that spiritual problems need spiritual solutions, illustrating how Saul’s distress was a...

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the origins and development of the Christian liturgy, tracing its roots from the early apostolic tradition to the established rites of the fourth century. He explains how the Liturgy was initially transmitted orally by the apostles, based on teachings of Christ after His resurrection, and later documented in response to emerging heresies such as Arianism. Fr. Matthias...

In this detailed talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the history and development of the Christian liturgy, focusing on its origins and evolution across different traditions. He explains the meaning of liturgy as "the work of the people" and discusses the three primary liturgies of the Coptic Church—those of St. Basil, St. Gregory, and St. Cyprian—tracing their roots back to the ancient Liturgy of S...

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad addresses the common experience of stress and offers practical, faith-based guidance on how to manage it. He discusses identifying controllable sources of stress, such as rushing and overcommitting, and emphasizes the importance of contentment, realistic expectations, and forgiveness. Fr. Matthias highlights the need for honesty, living a repentant life, and maint...