”They Loved the Praise of Men”

In this sermon, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the theme of loving the praise of God rather than the praise of men. He discusses how many believed in Christ inwardly but were afraid to confess their faith openly due to fear of persecution and social rejection. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of both internal belief and outward confession as essential components of genuine faith, referencing Scripture such as Romans 10 and the story of the three holy youth in the Book of Daniel. He emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming believers from secret followers into bold witnesses of Christ, encouraging Christians to live authentically and courageously in their faith despite societal pressures. Fr. Matthias calls for living as the light and salt of the earth by openly proclaiming and demonstrating Christian values, trusting in God’s power rather than seeking human approval.