The church is maligned
It is mistreated and ill defined
Many would destroy it
It is the body of Christ
Men form it
Reform and control it
Seek to hold it
But Christ is its head
Hypocrites join it
Idiots misuse it
Some confuse it
But Jesus always will win
Power for presentation
Community for the desperate
Worker for the needy
Christ’s church will prevail
God inspires it
Christ leads it
People need it
The church belongs to God
He found me walking
Down a dead end street
Nameless and evil
I was a slave to sin
Jesus called me
Said He would free me
And give me life
From bondage I would be free
He paid for my sin
And took me in
Reconciling me to God
Paid in full and free
Christ was my friend
He valued me
He said I was His
His worth was in me
My path was new
I could serve and grow
Knowing that Christ
Would keep me whole
Each day is a joy
God’s love in me
Christ directing
My heart is free
Now I know
What I had missed
My life in Christ
Has God in it
Quiet moments instruct
Keeping me alert
Helping me regain
The peace and joy I crave
Society demands me
Setting out my path
This is the way
Peace and joy earned
Foolish folks fight
The picture they see
Knowing it’s not right
The seek to be free
Christ gives life
Light for my soul
To guide me on my path
His plan fashions my soul
Needless pain removed
Ask in Jesus name
Seeking not to lose
I give my life away
In the act of sowing
Birth begins
I belong to Him
Peace and joy rush in
God has chosen
Those who choose
Heaven bound
Holy shoes
The Lord declares
Our worth and cost
He paid a price
On Calvary’s Cross
Who can say?
It isn’t real
Jesus rose
From death’s deal
Now live
Under His Cross
My life is His
His death my cost
Heaven bound
God has vowed
I will stand
On eternal land
Now I live
Day to day
The things I do
Eternal sway
Then that day
This world is done
I’ll go with Him
I’ll be His child
Nevermore to suffer strife
No tears or fears or bad advice
I will see the Son
He will rule my life
The Spirit of God
Lives in me
Equipping me
Reaching down
Where I can’t see
Guiding me toward God
Filling me
With Jesus love
Enabling me
Sensing all His presence
As He changes me
To be more like Christ
Service is natural
When loved by the Lord
Pushing me to act like Him
Because I am loved
All I say and do
Is done in the presence of God
The Holy Spirit quickens my heart
To hear and be heard
What I think empowers me
Or if it’s fear
Destroys me
God in Christ indwelling me
Is in my heart
So I can live by faith
I came looking
Life had dealt a blow
I couldn’t make it
Without the Lord’s control
I realized I’m a sinner
I couldn’t save myself
I bent my knee to Jesus
Lord I need your help
His hand cleansed my heartache
His love cured my pain
He has paid for my evil
I live in Jesus name
All the things I searched for
Value, worth, and joy
Came with my new birth
Jesus is in my heart
Change began that moment
That Jesus saved my soul
Every day with Jesus
My heart grows
Every time I fail Him
He is there with me
Lifting, guiding, protecting
Everything I can be
His value is my interest
I want to be like Him
Saved to be like Jesus
One day I’ll stand before Him
Spiritual activity
I cannot see
Is raging around me
God has chosen me
All my life
He’s seeking me
So I can have a choice
Life or destruction
It’s so simple many lose
How can life be structured?
So fairly for each one
Only God can answer
The question says I’m one
One that Jesus died for
One the Father seeks
Truth is even stronger
Each of us unique
The Word of God is touching
All of mankind
So that no one can excuse Him
Each must make up his mind
Questions tease and trick me
They make me feel so strong
Yet wisdom comes from the Lord
Issued from His throne
Here I am in trouble
Life is a fragile thread
But God has a reason
I belong because I’m His
Sunday, May 16, 2004
My sermon at the Homeless Church, Brantley Baptist Center, in New Orleans.
GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE COL. 1:1-12
Grace and peace to you
I. GOD CHOSE YOU
a. God so loved (JN 3:16)
b. Whosoever (Rom 10:13)
c. Gives you a choice
II. JESUS SAVES YOU
a. Died on the Cross
b. Seals your faith
c. Seeks you each day
III. HOLY SPIRIT EQUIPS YOU
a. Service
b. Sacrifice
c. Suffering
IV. HEAVEN BOUND
a. Real
b. Reward
c. Result
There has never been a time
When Christ turned away
Disgusted by man’s choices
Discouraged with the day
Loving Lord who cares
Lives in His children’s heart
Not by their strength
But by His love
What a savior
Coming to man
All are lost
Even the grand
And yet Christ’s love is real
Heals the hurting
Reaches the willing
Bringing each to God
There is a day appointed
When Christ will come again
Full of vengeance
To deal with the world’s sin
A day of cataclysm
A time of death and fear
Man who spurned the Lord
Will experience all His wrath
But now man is waiting
Choosing his own way
The love of Christ is available
His love will save you today
I know so little
Help me Lord
To see the battle lines
I want to know
What to do
So I’ll not disgrace You
I’m selfish and fearful
When things don’t work out
I just want to walk away
Merely a passing shadow
In the world for today
Help me learn to stay
Right where I’m planted
In the midst of my mess
Victorious on my quest
Options seem to broaden
Greener pastures over there
I need to stay right here
Winning is an illusion
It changes every day
But Jesus is forever
My life is hid in Christ
Today I will not waver
Even though failure comes
Life is worth living
As Jesus’ work gets done
