From Ben Fronczek... How to become lion alert and not lion desert

How to become lion alert and not lion desert

What Makes You Lion Alert and Not Lion Dessert?

1 Peter 5:6-11   

Do your remember this song?
 

“In the jungle, the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight. In the jungle, the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight…”  

Do you recognize that once popular song? While it is true that most lions sleep from time to time, in our sermon text the Apostle Peter speaks of a lion that never snoozes. This lion has been devouring unsuspecting prey from the beginning of time and remains on the prowl. Even today this lion which is the Devil is still on the prowl and his aim is to take as many of us to hell with him as he can. Therefore if Peter had written that popular song his opening lyrics would have gone something like this.  

“In the jungle, the mighty jungle this lion never sleeps. In the jungle, the mighty jungle we are this lions prey.”

Since the Devil is out to get us it would be good to know WHAT MAKES US LION ALERT AND NOT LION DESSERT. The Apostle Peter knew what it was like to mess up and sin grievously. He was one who denied even knowing Jesus, not once but three times. Here in 1 Peter 5 he shows us that there are a few things that keep us lion alert: 

humility, self-control, and grace.

Peter continues to give good advice to Christians in Chapter 5 after giving advice about church elders and how young men should act:

#1.Then he begins his lion taming advice in verse 6 where he says,

 “Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

How does humbling yourself before God make you lion alert?  I can’t help but believe that the devil loves to see us become proud, arrogant, puffed up and self righteous. What are some signs of this kind of pride which the devil likes to see in us?

- How about when we are the one who always knows it all, who always think we are the one who knows what’s best, what’s better

- Or the person who just won’t listen to another’s opinion, advice or recommendations

- It is hard to teach these people anything new because they all ready know it all and have to have things their way.

- These people even like boss other’s around or do their best to make others feel guilty because they think they know more, and others should meet their expectations.

- It’s their way or the highway.  In their mind you can’t drive as good as they can, you can’t work as hard as they do, Their ideas are always better than yours and you can’t do anything as good as they can.

I would imagine that the devil likes it when people become like this because in all reality people like this have a false assumption about themselves, and without knowing it they make themselves more vulnerable to the lions attack and may even be doing his bidding. Why? Because without realizing it their hearts close and become hard and there is no room for Christ or His Spirit to work.

I believe that’s what happened to the Pharisees and Sadducees in the NT. They were the teachers, they thought they knew it all and could not accept the truth about Jesus. The lion had them in his grip!

 #2. In the next verse Peter said,

 “Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you” (v.7). (Him being God)

If we humble our self before God and surrender all our cares, worries, and concerns over to Him it helps us become more lion alert because we are not as overwhelmed and distracted or caught off guard by these concerns.

In fact the Greek word here for “anxiety” carries the idea of “diversion or distraction” and is used in the story of Mary and Martha. As Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, Martha fussed about the kitchen, worrying about food preparations and who knows what else. Her cares and concerns diverted or distracted her attention from the one thing she needed most, and that was to listen to Jesus. She was so overwhelmed and distracted she even complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t doing anything to help her.

In Matthew 12 Jesus told the Parable of the farmer sowing the seed on different kinds of soils, and how some seed produced a good crop and why others produced nothing at all. Then in verses 18-23 He explains the parable to his disciples making application to people who receive the Word of God.    In the parable what caused some to become ineffective and unfruitful? Jesus said that people had received the word and at first accepted it but were eventually distracted because of the pressures in life, persecution, and worries of this age, and the seduction of wealth.

The devil continues to plant diversions, and distractions to ambush us.

- Maybe it’s someone at work who needles you, – maybe gossip or a rumor you are going to lose your job, or insurance or some special privilege. - Maybe you can’t find the work that you want to do,- or maybe you are forced to work too much. The list is endless.

The devil wants to distract and divert you from God and His will. He wants you angry, or upset, sad, or even envious of others. Don’t let him do this to you. In Ephesians 4:27 Paul told them not to give the devil a foothold.

Trust in God. Don’t become lion dessert but remain alert by humbling yourself under God’s mighty hand. There is no better place to take your concerns than to God.  God loves you and me and has promised to take care for us.

Peter said, 

“Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you” (v.7). 

 Therefore do what the Greek verb “cast” implies. Take every care and concern and pack them one by one into a bag and then give to God to carry. God will take care of our problems better than we ever could.

Does that sound too easy? Whether you realize it or not we do it all the time. For example, does paying the bill really stress you out? If it does what do you do? You give that responsibility, that thing which causes you stress and anxiety to someone else, maybe your spouse if they can handle the pressure better. Ladies if taking care of and maintaining your car is beyond your ability and stresses you out, what do you do? Pass the responsibility on to another, either your husband, a friend, or you pay a mechanic to take care of that problem.

Peter said put take up those cares and concerns that distract you and give them to God. He will take care of them one way or the other. One problem we have is that there are certain things we simply don’t want to totally let go of but we really need to.

If we do make it that far and throw all of our cares on God it is important that we don’t become lulled into a false sense of security thinking that the danger of attack has passed. The Devil won’t give up so easily therefore we need to remain lion alert;

#3. Peter tells us in vs. 8, 9.  

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

To be “self-controlled” means to have a clear head. We realize that danger and realize that temptations are all around. We are more on the alert when we remove things that may hamper our good judgment.

We also exercise self-control when we don’t leave our weaknesses exposed to the Devil’s temptations. It was Luther who said that the ‘Devil climbs over the fence where it is the lowest.’

For example: – If our mind is cluttered with lustful thoughts we won’t be prepared to flee from temptation as Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife asked him to sleep with her.  – If our mind is muddled with materialism it will be hard to offer our first fruits to God.

- If our mind is packed with pride it will be hard to keep from putting other people down so we look good.

-If stealing is a weakness don’t stay in a room where someone else’s money is lying around unattended.    

- If gossiping is a weakness stop hanging out with those friends who are quick to spread the latest rumors.

 – If you continue to let yourself be influenced by these temptations you only put yourself in the lion’s den and it will only be a matter of time before you are devoured.

It’s important to remove the clutter from our lives which hampers good judgment, and then shore up our weakness so you stand firm in the faith.

We especially can stand firm in the faith when we stand firm in God’s Word. Jesus proved that God’s Word could topple the Devil when He was tempted out in the wilderness. Therefore it is important to arm yourself with God’s Word. It is one of our most powerful weapons to protect us when the lion attacks. Memorize as many Bible verses as you can so that you can make quick use of it like Jesus did when Satan tempted Him.

While humility and self-control will prepare us against attacks by the Devil ultimately it’s only God’s grace that will bring us through these attacks.         We need God’s grace because even though we know we should cast our anxieties on Him we often fail to. Although we know that we should stay out of the lion’s cage, time and time again we put ourselves in harm’s way. Thank God that he is a God of undeserved love and that he picks us up when we fall.

Listen to the promise that Peter extends to us.  

“And the God of grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

When you fall, turn to Jesus for forgiveness because He has defeated the Devil by refusing to fall for any of his tricks and He undid the Devil’s handiwork by taking the punishment of hell we deserved.

Can you imagine how disappointed the Devil must have been at Jesus’ resurrection? He thought that he had us all because we all sin. He thought he destroyed the Son of God and no more would turn and pledge their allegiance to the Father. He thought he had defeated God’s Son but in reality, at the cross he was the one that was totally defeated.

Since the Devil could not and cannot defeat Jesus, he has gone to plan “B” – attacking us, the crown of God’s creation. Luther said that where God builds a cathedral there Satan builds a chapel.

Be ready for those attacks. The Devil does not want you to believe that Jesus won forgiveness for you. He will bring up past sins and shake them in your face and asks how a just God could love anyone so filthy, anyone like you?

And the answer is the one that always topples Satan plan, He loves us because of Jesus and what He did for us.

- Through Christ the victory is ours. Through Christ, God will restore us to the glory He intended people to have before sin entered the world.

-Through Christ God has made us strong so we can carry out works that please God.

Yes, God loves us because of Jesus. If we remain in Christ then the lion’s roar will sound more like an annoying yelp from a little dog.

It’s true that “In the jungle, the mighty jungle the lion is waiting to nab us tonight…”              

so stay alert lest you become desert.

But don’t be afraid because after all it’s God’s jungle and He will keep you safe in Christ Jesus.

Therefore as you walk through the jungle, humble yourself under God’s mighty hand by casting all of your cares on Him. Trust that he is in control no matter what quicksand you run into. Remain watchful standing firm in the faith, armed with the Word. And the God of grace who has called us to eternal glory will keep you safe. Amen.

Based on a sermon by Daniel Habben

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Can we get rid of punishment?

Can we get rid of punishment?

Some sensitive and caring people think the very notion of "punishment" is spiteful and vengeful and they’d like to be rid of the concept altogether. More than the concept, they’d like society to be rid of the practice. There should be no punishment for anyone.

Hmmm. But what are we to do with people who are viciously disruptive and who inflict pain and loss on the innocent? What of those we have solid reasons to believe will continue to inflict injury on the defenseless? These caring people insist we should deal with such people but that it shouldn’t be by punishing them. We should cure them by changing them and this would be a long-term deterrent but in the meantime, if we must, we will isolate them from society and that will deter them in the short-term. But while we have them isolated from society as a short term deterrent we should work with them in various ways to understand them and condition them so as to change them and thus rehabilitate them.

It doesn’t matter much to these fine people how we phrase the notion of punishment—as soon as we speak of someone "deserving" some administered unpleasantness (whatever form it takes) we’re on the wrong track. Whatever it takes, however we express it or reflect on it the notion of punishment is to be got rid of. The word itself derives, finally, from penalty and so rightly understood someone has offended (in some form) and in response to that offense some authorized personnel have intentionally inflicted some unpleasantness on the offender as retribution.

The two concepts that matter to these people in dealing with offenders are that society be protected and that the offender be personally helped to leave his/her socially unacceptable behavior behind. These people don’t say the behavior is good or that it doesn’t matter, and it’s untrue to say they are without sympathy toward the victims; they simply claim that inflicting pain or loss on an offender is spite and vengefulness baptized by society and made to look good.

But thoughtful people, just as caring as these, have continued to tell us for many years that it is immoral to dispense with the notion of "desert" and forcibly deprive people of their liberty against their will. If they have done nothing to "deserve" our putting them in a place that will subject them to our "healing" they should not be there. If we say to some innocent bystander, "We are going to put you in a (sort of) hospital to help free you from your socially unacceptable behavior" we won’t be surprised if he/she objects. If we use barely enough (but enough) restraint to take him to that place—this perfectly innocent bystander—it won’t matter to him/her that it will have nice accommodation, food, personnel and surroundings. When they strenuously insist that they have done nothing wrong and should not be shanghaied into such a place they will make sense to every thinking person in the world except those that have abducted them.

Enforced remedial treatment can only be remedial if first it is warranted! It cannot possibly be remedial if it isn’t warranted or "earned". We can only morally attempt to cure "the sick" if we know him to be sick. We can only forcibly attempt to rehabilitate a known offender. To forcibly "treat" a non-offender is not only illegal and immoral it’s also absurd. And we forcibly treat the offender precisely because he/she has offended. Whatever our motives (and they may be the purest under heaven) the forcible treatment in response to wrongdoing (whether wrongdoing is defined in legal, social or moral terms) has the nature of penalty. "You did this and in light of that and as a response to that we are compelled to do what we are about to do."

And if we’re so sensitive that we must absolutely jettison all idea of penalty or desert then we are enforcing society’s will on an unwilling person. A person who, according to our own claim, does not deserve what is happening to him. "No one in the world can deserve what we’re about to do to you but we’re going to do it without your consent." A "treatment" can’t be remedial unless the offender believes it is "deserved" otherwise he/she will see it as unjust. And if the offender smarts under the injustice of it all then it’s no remedy.

And it really doesn’t help if we say that the enforced "cure" is not punishment or penalty. It robs the individual of all that makes life pleasant to him/her. If he asks, "Are you depriving me of freedom and family because I did this or that?" the answer would have to be yes. So while we wish to avoid the word "punishment" we are doing to that man or woman what philosopher Anthony Flew has judiciously defined as punishment. See Penal Substitution.

So we subject this person against his/her will to what is unpleasant to them because they have offended all the while insisting that they don’t deserve what we’re doing; all the while we tell them, "If we were to punish you we would be barbarians."

And if the offender were to ask, "Are you doing this as a deterrent to others?" and we were to say yes, that would only make matters worse. This is being enforced on him/her against their wills even though it isn’t merited (for no one in the world merits "punishment"). And now they’re told it’s to keep others from doing the same kinds of things. Now, though "deserving" nothing they are used as a means to an end. Hmmm.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Our Duty To Those Who Serve (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

               "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                Our Duty To Those Who Serve (5:12-13)

INTRODUCTION

1. As "sons of light and sons of the day" (1Th 5:5), we have a duty to
   comfort and edify one another - cf. 1Th 5:11

2. This duty is true of all us who are members of the body of Christ 
   - e.g., Ep 4:15-16
   a. Each member has a part in which he or she does their share
   b. When all are working, the body grows through the edifying of 
      itself in love

3. Yet the Lord has also blessed His body with those who edify the body
   through their service in certain capacities - cf. Ep 4:11-12
   a. Such as evangelists, pastors, teachers
   b. Whose purpose is for the equipping of the saints for the work of
      ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

[In the text for our study (1Th 5:12-13), we are told of "Our Duty
Toward Those Who Serve" us by their function in the church of Christ.
Observe that we are commanded...]

I. TO RECOGNIZE THEM

   A. THOSE WHO LABOR AMONG YOU...
      1. This would include those who serve as:
         a. Elders (also known as pastors, bishops), whose duty is to
            watch and feed the local congregation - Ac 14:23; 20:17,28; 
            1Pe 5:1-2; 1Ti 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9
         b. Deacons, who minister to the needs of the congregation - Ph
            1:1; 1Ti 3:8-13
         c. Evangelists, whose ministry is to the Word of God, 
            proclaiming the good news to both sinner and saint - Ep 4:11; 2Ti 4:5,2; 1Ti 4:16
         d. Teachers, who provide instruction in the doctrine of Christ 
            - Ep 4:11; Ac 13:1-2; 1Co 12:28-29; Tit 2:3-5
            1) Such as those who teach our children
            2) And those who teach the lost in our families and 
               community
      2. There are others who labor among us in other areas...
         a. Those who minister through exhortation, giving, showing 
            mercy (such as in visiting the sick) - Ro 12:6-8
         b. Those who use their talents to do good deeds, as did Dorcas 
            - Ac 9:36-39
         c. Those who keep up the facilities in which we meet to worship
            1) Cleaning the building, preparing the communion
            2) Pruning the yard, maintain the baptistery and other 
               aspects of the building
      -- In every active congregation, there is much labor going on; do 
         we recognize those who often labor quietly for our benefit?
         
   B. THOSE WHO ARE OVER YOU...
      1. "In the Lord"
         a. This has particular reference to the elders (pastors, 
            bishops)
         b. They are the only ones given authority "over" us in the Lord
            - Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:1-2; cf. He 13:7,17
      2. "And admonish you"
         a. The duty of elders often require them to admonish and warn 
            - Tit 1:9
         b. That is why they must be qualified to teach - 1Ti 3:2
      -- Any congregation with men qualified to serve as elders should
         certainly be careful to recognize them as such, and respect 
         their God-given duty

[While the context may have special application to our duty toward those
who serve as elders, I believe we are not amiss to apply it toward
those who serve in other capacities as well.  Certainly it is 
appropriate regarding those who serve us in any role...]

II. TO ESTEEM THEM

   A. VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE...
      1. To hold them in high regard, to honor them
         a. We are to prefer all brethren in honor - cf. Ro 12:10; Php 2:3
         b. How much more those who expend their time and energy in 
            serving us!
      2. To do so in love
         a. We are to love all brethren - cf. 1Pe 2:17; Jn 13:34-35
         b. How much more those who expend their time and energy in 
            serving us!

   B. FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE...
      1. Certainly the work of elders is worthy of high esteem
         a. They feed us, they watch over us, they provide examples for 
            us - 1Pe 5:1-3
         b. They must give an account for our souls - He 13:17
      2. So also the work of all who serve their brethren
         a. The work of deacons is worthy of high honor - 1Ti 3:13
         b. Indeed, those who are serve are to be considered great in 
            the kingdom of God! - cf. Mt 20:25-28

[We have a duty to esteem those who serve, to hold them in high regard. 
Not just because of who they are, but what they do!  Do we both
recognize and esteem our brethren for their work?

Finally, note that in "Our Duty To Those Who Serve" we are...]

III. TO BE AT PEACE

   A. AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES...
      1. Peace among brethren, like unity, is a wonderful thing - Ps 133:1
      2. It is a mark of heavenly wisdom, and provides the atmosphere in
         which much righteousness can be sown - Jm 3:17-18
      3. It is certainly something we all should pursue - Ro 14:17-19; 
         He 12:14

   B. TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD OF THOSE WHO SERVE...
      1. Those who serve (especially elders) have a heavy burden - e.g.,
         He 13:17
         a. They watch for our souls
         b. They must give an account for our souls
      2. We can make their load lighter - cf. He 13:17
         a. Make their work a joy, contributing to peace through
            obedience and submission
         b. Avoid adding unnecessary grief, which would not be good for 
            us (what an understatement!)

CONCLUSION

1. As we wait for the coming for the Lord, we are blessed not to wait
   alone...
   a. The Lord's church is here to comfort and edify us
   b. There are individuals who labor among us, and are over us in the
      Lord
      1) Some meet our needs, making it easier for us to grow
      2) Others watch over us, and admonish us as necessary
   -- For such blessings we ought to be thankful!

2. But we can do more than just be thankful...
   a. We can recognize those who labor among us, and are over us
   b. We can esteem them highly in love for their work's sake
   c. We can be at peace among ourselves

Indeed, this is "Our Duty To Those Who Serve".  May God grant us the
strength to give what is due those who give so much of their time,
energy and love to us!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Who are you?

Who are you?  Your answer says a lot about who you think you are.  Optimist, pessimist, realist or "Superman"? Superman- really???  Never have met one of those- not yet, anyway!!!  If I were to call myself "Superman", I would have people laugh at me, call me crazy and probably take a few steps backward in order to get away from me.  So, the question of "Who am I" is very important indeed!!!  What about God?  How do you explain HIM???  I can't- let HIM do that himself.  Below you will find a couple of rather long passages, but do yourself a favor and read them, for they are worth reading...

Exodus, Chapter 3

 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s mountain, to Horeb.  2 Yahweh’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.  3 Moses said, “I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” 

  4  When Yahweh saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, “Moses! Moses!” 

He said, “Here I am.” 

  5  He said, “Don’t come close. Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place you are standing on is holy ground.”  6 Moreover he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” 

Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look at God. 

  7  Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.  8 I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.  9 Now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to me. Moreover I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.  10 Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 

  11  Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 

  12  He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 

  13  Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you;’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ What should I tell them?” 

  14  God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 

John, Chapter 8

  12  Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

  13  The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” 

  14  Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going.   15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.   16  Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.   17  It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.   18  I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.” 

  19  They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?” 

Jesus answered, “You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”   20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.  21 Jesus said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.” 

  22  The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, that he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’ ?”

  23  He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.   24  I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am ^*n1 he, you will die in your sins.” 

  25  They said therefore to him, “Who are you?” 

Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.   26  I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.” 

  27  They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father.  28 Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.   29  He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 

  30  As he spoke these things, many believed in him.  31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.   32  You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ^*x4 

  33  They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’ ?” 

  34  Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.   35  A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever.   36  If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.   37  I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.   38  I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.” 

  39  They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” 
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.   40  But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this.   41  You do the works of your father.” 

They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.” 

  42  Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me.   43  Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.   44  You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father.   45  But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me.   46  Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?   47  He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.” 

  48  Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?” 

  49  Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.   50  But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.   51  Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.” 

  52  Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’   53 Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?” 

  54  Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.   55  You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word.   56  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.” 

  57  The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 

  58  Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM. ” 

  59  Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst, and so passed by.

God has revealed himself in many ways, these are just two of them.  This is what the Bible teaches. The writer of the book of Hebrews puts it this way...

Hebrews, Chapter 1

1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.  3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.  5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, 

 
“You are my Son.
Today have I become your father?”
and again, 

“I will be to him a Father,
and he will be to me a Son?”

 Jesus identified himself as the great "I AM" and people (most people, anyway) believed him.  Sometime, read the entire Gospel of John in one sitting: make note of the "I am's" in the book and I think you will understand who Jesus is a bit better.  Who am I?  If you are Jesus, you really are a SUPER-man!!!  Everybody else- not quite...

 

PS...  The "greatrose" in my email address refers only to my girth- and nothing else.  If I had to chose one of the four categories above- I would have to go with realist!!!!!  FYI