Monday, March 14, 2011
Spiritual but not religious Uhm.. 3/14/2011 - Richard Graves | Internet Radio | Blog Talk Radio
Great show tonight, if you missed it, check out the podcast. Thanks for all of your support, and thanks for all your great questions and comments thatg keep me thinking!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
CHRIST the END of the LAW 2/6/2011 - Richard Graves | Internet Radio | Blog Talk Radio
Enjoy the podcast of this teaching, looking forward to any comments or questions.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
JESUS Worthy of PRAISE!
JESUS Worthy of PRAISE!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
From the Servants of God to the CHILDREN of GOD!!
From the Servants of God to the CHILDREN of GOD!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
"Living under the grace of God, and not under the curse"
"Living under the grace of God, and not under the curse"
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Malachi and the Principle of TITHING and OFFERINGS
Malachi and the Principle of TITHING and OFFERINGS
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Understanding the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Understanding the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Law and the Prophets were until John: "SINCE THAT TIME..."
Join us TONIGHT on Blogtalk radio, call in 347-855-8971, As we discuss what the SCRIPTURES say in regard to the Law? What is supposed to be our focus as Believers in Jesus? This is for Believers, "Christians, Messianics, Hebrews" etc.this will be a blessing to all.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Politics / Religion: Is it good for Christians to pray Psalm 109. 8-10 regarding President Obama"?
Politics / Religion: Is it good for Christians to pray Psalm 109. 8-10 regarding President Obama"?
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Is Socialism any more demonic than Capitalism?
Check out the podcast of this thought provoking and challenging topic!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Demonstration of the Gospel of the Kingdom: What is the Christian Call to Charity?"
Demonstration of the Gospel of the Kingdom: What is the Christian Call to Charity?"
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
POLITICS and RELIGION vs. The GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, Part 1: PAT ROBERTSON
Pat Robertson seems to believe that every natural disaster is God's judgment, and more importantly that the United States is somehow "God's country", being fair he's not the only one! Tonight we talk about these issues in relation to the Gospel of the Kingdom of God! Tune in or call in TONIGHT at 8pm CST (347) 855-8971...
POLITICS and RELIGION vs. The GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, Part 1: PAT ROBERTSON
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Part II: Our FATHER...exploring KINGDOM Relationship with the Most High God
Part II: Our FATHER...exploring KINGDOM Relationship with the Most High God
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Spiritual Milk to Spiritual Meat...
Spiritual Milk to Spiritual Meat...
Monday, November 2, 2009
What is Original Sin?
Original Sin. The Christian theological doctrine defines “Original Sin” as the state humans are in because of the Fall of Man (the actions of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis). The term “original sin” itself is not used in the Old or the New Testaments, yet both the New and the Old Testaments speak of the sinful nature of human beings.
Basically, the doctrine states that all humans fall short of God's standard of righteousness no matter how “good” they think they are, that they are born with a “sinful” nature and require something outside of themselves to make them righteous and / or acceptable before God.
Many people have a fundamental problem with accepting the premise that they are “sinful” in nature. Some people will say that they are “good” people and often cite this as the reason that they cannot or will not accept Jesus and / or the Christian faith. This is partly because many people make the fundamental flaw of confusing “Sin” which is breaking God's Laws with “Crime” which is breaking the laws of man.
Sin as defined in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Strong's Number: 266, the word “Hamartia” meaning: offence, sin(-ful).
Sin, wrong doing, usually any act CONTRARY TO THE WILL and law of God I don't believe anyone who is honest with themselves and claims to believe in God (The Father of Jesus) can say that they have not done or or does not do anything that is contrary to the Will and / or Law of God.
It is the epitome of pride for a person to deny what is or should be a very self evident fact. Again, some people mistake “Sin” for “Crime” and by their willful or unintentional lack of making such a distinction, they are unable to see themselves in proper context.
Many “crimes” are “sins”, many “sins” are crimes, yet there are many “crimes” that are not “sins” and many “sins” that are not “crimes”. For example, most people in our Western society at least agree that “murder” is a sin and a crime, yet not helping the poor or widow and the orphan, which is a serious sin, is often not considered a “crime”. In that light, people who don't kill people will believe that because of not doing these big obvious sins / crimes they are at base “good” people. This may be the case when “good” is defined as being an obedient and productive citizen in our society. However, what is good in as in making the standard that is set by God is a different mater entirely.
Jesus made it pretty clear here in Mathew 19.16-17 (KJV) “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments”
Before we go any further let me clarify that JESUS was good, because HE and the Father are One, therefore Jesus' He has the Righteousness of His Father (John 14.10).
In the reference scripture Jesus is giving Glory to God for “His” goodness, making it plain that it was not of Himself, but because He was and is in relationship with His Father. This outlines the problem, when people, Christians in particular believe that outside of God in Christ that they are good, they are basically are calling Jesus a liar.
Jesus is stressing that through Him, all who accept Him on His terms, can have through Him this same abiding / relationship with the Father that He has and demontsrated, by accepting His righteousness in place of our own.
This by understanding that within ourselves and without God we cannot truly be “Good”. The Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defines the Greek word for “Good” used in the reference scripture as “Kalos” meaning: “Virtuous”.
I believe that this very definition of Good is what lead the people to choose Jesus to be executed in place of the murderer Barrabas. You see, people were not that different at that time then we are now, let me explain how.
Back then, as it is today, religion and politics were bedfellows. Jesus was neither political or religious, therefore the religious (Pharisees) and the political (The Roman Government) didn't have much use for Jesus. Primarily because Jesus threatened both of their worldly systems. However, it wasn't these people alone who killed Jesus, the masses, yes the same people that Jesus healed, feed and ministered to were also a party to His execution.
When the masses had the choice to either have executed a man that was a known murderer or a man who was a known healer of mind, body and spirit, the people chose Jesus to be executed. The view that people had and that many of us today have of being “good” was a factor that was utilized to push these people towards that decision. Jesus showed the Father in all of His actions (John 8.25), yet he was doing this walking around amongst the masses. Being kind and compassionate to those he came across, and this made the people hate him that much more. Why? Because he showed them their shortcomings, not by His words, but by His actions. He showed them that they were NOT truly good, that their good was like a filthy rag when looked at in the pure light that he radiated. Therefore, the people wanted Him gone.
They would rather have the murderer amongst them, because they could always point at the murderer as someone THEY FELT THEY WERE BETTER THAN. They felt good in comparison to Barrabas the murderer. History teaches us this lesson, as the easiest way to get killed, is to show light in this dark world by bringing truth into a dishonest world. When light is shown in dark place people are shown their frailties and shortcomings, this occurs because people will always compare themselves to someone who strives for a higher standard in their actions, and either consciously or subconsciously, people will compare themselves and be reminded that they do not measure up to the standard that is being demonstrated right in front of them.
In a Christian world view, as defined by Christ and not “church doctrine or dogma”, to be truly good, we must strive to meet Christ standard by being in relationship with our Father through Him. By acknowledging that our GOOD cannot be and will never be GOOD ENOUGH.
I'm just saying...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sodom and Gommorah-Destroyed because of "homosexuality"? Not exactly...
Sodom and Gommorah-Destroyed because of "homosexuality"? Not exactly...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The BURGER KING Jesus part II, people who want to have Jesus "their" way...
The BURGER KING Jesus part II, people who want to have Jesus "their" way...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Jesus: "The Word of the Lord", poetic words or a spiritual actuality?
Jesus: "The Word of the Lord", poetic words or a spiritual actuality?
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What is the difference?
What is the difference?
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