Vox Ecclesiae, Vox Christi
Not 'neath the altar only,—yet, in sooth,
There more than elsewhere,—is the cry, “How long?”
The right sown there hath still borne fruit in wrong—
The wrong waxed fourfold. Thence, (in hate of truth)
O'er weapons blessed for carnage, to fierce youth
From evil age, the word hath hissed along:—
“Ye are the Lord's: go forth, destroy, be strong:
Christ's Church absolves ye from Christ's law of ruth.”
Therefore the wine-cup at the altar is
As Christ's own blood indeed, and as the blood
Of Christ's elect, at divers seasons spilt
On the altar-stone, that to man's church, for this,
Shall prove a stone of stumbling,—whence it stood
To be rent up ere the true Church be built.
poem by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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His True Church
I know many religious people, and one Church with no steeple,
A church that’s built with no walls, built on only believing souls,
Built upon an Eternal Foundation, that being our very Salvation,
Built upon The One Cornerstone, and that is Jesus Christ alone.
Many, who worship in a building, to Truth alone, are unyielding,
Building a church on tradition, God’s Truth, with man’s addition,
Added to the work finished by, Jesus Christ who reigns on high,
Ignoring His words “it is finished”, Grace by many is diminished.
Men making a way to Heaven, not by grace but religious leaven,
Building church in a human way, as they lead many souls astray,
As many souls weekly perch, in the pews of a manmade church,
Relying on their religious activity, to help them work into eternity.
“I will build my Church” He said, that was Christ, who is the Head,
Head of His True Church on earth, filled with souls, by New Birth,
All members being Born Again, into His Church, not one of men,
You’ll find, you no longer search, as a member of God’s Church.
Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life, as Head of the Church of Christ,
And each of us is a living stone, built through faith in Christ alone,
His Church He proceeds to build, to complete as His Father willed,
Leading the only True Church friend, as others shall see in the end.
Searching For a Church?
After your long and weary search, have you found the perfect church?
A simple church ruled by men; the perfect church you can’t condemn.
Or do they all appear the same, just another building with His Name?
And once inside you’re not sure, if you feel the presence of The Lord.
There’s only one true Church of God, upon this earth that all men trod.
That is The Church of Jesus Christ, and bought by Jesus, with His life.
God’s Church has no denomination, for in Christ is only one Salvation.
His Church has no walls my friend; it has a beginning but has no end.
Christ’s Church began at Pentecost, not for the righteous, but the lost.
His Church is made of sinful men, whom by God were all condemned.
But redeemed with a special price, when His Son became a sacrifice.
Then dipped into a cleansing flood; sinners purified by Christ’s Blood.
Are you looking to men to find, God’s forgiveness and peace of mind?
My friend, are you truly not that sure, where you can go to be secure?
Christ’s first Church had no steeple, and was filled with humble people.
Humble people who gave their life, to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
If you’re still searching for a church, you should end your weary search.
The Church is men like you and me, saved by Christ’s work on Calvary.
Nothing’s been added to the cross, except sinners who once were lost,
Since, they’ve entered in The Door, and now belong to Christ The Lord.
(Copyright ©04/2006)
Psalm 118
v.22-27
S. M.
An hosanna for the Lord's day; or, A new song of salvation by Christ.
See what a living stone
The builders did refuse;
Yet God hath built his church thereon,
In spite of envious Jews.
The scribe and angry priest
Reject thine only Son;
Yet on this Rock shall Zion rest,
As the chief corner-stone.
The work, O Lord, is thine,
And wondrous in our eyes;
This day declares it all divine,
This day did Jesus rise.
This is the glorious day
That our Redeemer made;
Let us rejoice, and sing, and pray,
Let all the church be glad.
Hosanna to the King
Of David's royal blood;
Bless him, ye saints, he comes to bring
Salvation from your God.
We bless thine holy word,
Which all this grace displays;
And offer on thine altar, Lord,
Our sacrifice of praise.
poem by Isaac Watts
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Mystery of The Church
The Mystery of God’s True Church, is men and women upon this earth.
Men and women upon this earth, brought together through New Birth.
They are called out from the earth, by The Lord’s Spirit during this birth.
The members are called to a New Life, and it is found in Jesus Christ.
Christ said He’d build His Church; it is God’s institution upon the earth.
The Church includes every nation, of the earth that accepts Salvation.
God had started first with the Jew, and then Christ added me and you.
The Church was not created by man, but is part of God’s Eternal Plan.
The Church is of a heavenly origin, far above the influences of all sin.
It is The Lord’s sovereign creation, to spread the Gospel of Salvation.
For there is no earthly institution, that can offer God’s Eternal solution.
The Church is not a building friend, but of people with a heavenly end.
The Church has no earthly foundation; it is built on Christ’s exaltation.
The Church has only one mediator, which is Jesus Christ, her creator.
The gates of Hades will not prevail, although all Satan’s forces do rail.
For Christ gained for all the victory, securing for us a home in Eternity.
On the cross Jesus bled and died, so we could be His Heavenly Bride.
From that death He rose again; we enter His Church once Born Again.
The Lord Jesus died in our stead, and of God’s Church He is the head.
Believers become the body unified, living new lives because He died.
The true Bride and body of Christ, is eagerly anticipating Eternal Life.
You enter in a sinner on the earth, to soon depart into Heaven’s mirth.
Into Eternal Bliss with Jesus Christ, and an endless joy of Eternal Life.
All the saints within God’s Church, from Christ only, get all their worth.
For they have been truly sanctified, under the blood of Christ who died.
By The Holy Spirit they are set apart, with a new mind and new heart.
And they are all of one single kind, as they all have The Savior’s mind.
The end of life is just a new start, to begin in Eternity when they depart.
As The Red Wine Into The Cup Is Poured
Christ the Lamb upon the alter stone.
Christ the sacrifice to atone.
Christ's blood, the wines a token.
Christ the bread that was broken.
As the grape was crushed to make the wine
so Christ was crushed for sins of mine.
As the red wine into the cup was poured
so Christ for me His blood outpoured.
As the bread was broken that we share
so Christ was broken upon the cross there.
'Father forgive, ' I hear Him cry
so I could live He was willing to die.
His Church Can Rise Up
Today The Church can rise above, through God’s power and His Love.
She can rise up to the task at hand, and for The Lord can take a stand.
My friend, even in the darkest nights, we can rise up to greater heights.
For we can rise up in Christ’s Victory, as we march forward to Eternity.
Jesus Christ will build His Church, and build it upon The Savior’s worth.
She’s not built upon an earthly frame, but built upon Her Savior’s Name.
Jesus Christ the very Cornerstone, guides His Church from His Throne.
For His Church, Jesus Christ alone, is her foundation and the capstone.
He’s the Groom and we’re the Bride, and His Church will not be denied.
He’s creating a Holy Priesthood friend, of whose service will never end.
We my friends are the living stones, bought and placed by Christ alone,
We’re being built into a spiritual house, by the Church’s Eternal Spouse.
Even though darkened forces rail, the gates of Hades shall not prevail.
Christ’s Victory we can proclaim, through the power of His Holy Name.
We need to rise up above the night, and lift up high Christ’s Holy Light.
We can rise above every situation, and point the world to His salvation.
Very soon The Church will surly rise, to meet The Savior up in the skies,
Dear friend Satan is the defeated foe, and this we need to let men know.
So we need to rise up and tell all men, that Satan is the one condemned,
And when they join The Church of Christ, they too shall gain Eternal Life.
(Copyright ©04/2006)
For All Who Have Heard
The preaching of The Word is directed to all people who have heard,
And everyone will be accountable who have been under God's Word.
If you're like Jeremiah friend, in your heart a fire will be stirred,
And not content as you were, a new life of holiness will be spurred.
In my flesh I am weak, but in The Spirit through Jesus I am strong,
And it is His will I must seek, for it is to Him alone that I belong.
If I am not seeking God's will in my life there is something wrong,
For when I died to Jesus Christ, He placed in my heart a new song.
A sinful life is like a flower, as all shall one day fade and wilt,
But you can have a new life, cleansed of all your sin and guilt.
New life is through Jesus Christ, for you and I His blood was spilt.
And Jesus Christ is the very foundation on which The Church is built.
The very reason we were washed in His Blood sometimes goes ignored,
With His Blood He inscribed on every believer, Holiness to The Lord.
So the next time you think that living holy is too much to be endured,
Remember that on the cross, it was His Blood for you that was poured.
The path is the same, pure and narrow, for all who confess His name,
And on this new path, believers must turn away from sin and shame.
For on the cross Jesus defeated Satan and death's sting He overcame,
He rose again to life eternal, which is the victory we must proclaim.
Church
The Church is Church my brother, a place to meet with one another,
A place to meet with our Lord, where grace and mercy are implored,
That place for worship and praise, lifted up to The Ancient of Days,
Men gathering, to bring glory to, The One Who created me and you.
Church is a body of those, who know, The Lord and desire to grow,
In the knowledge of Christ our Lord, as Christ's Body in one accord,
A place to encourage others in Christ, while living in this present life,
Support, that we can only receive, from men in life who also believe.
Church is more than a gathering, of men together to praise and sing,
As it's a place to seek The Lord, who, by love makes us one accord,
As believers are in the presence of, Jesus Christ, Who reigns above,
As Christ builds us together in unity, through the power from Calvary.
The local Church is the very heart, of The Savior's mission, to impart,
The very Truth of God's Salvation, in reaching each and every nation,
The Lord scattered His early Church, for His mission of greater worth,
So that as His Church, we could herald, God's Truth into all the world.
Today's Mission, is still the same, when Believers gather in His Name,
To focus upon our Lord God first, while The Savior builds His Church,
As The Lord grants direction to, His Living Stones, that's me and you,
To finish God's purpose, through us, all, for the glory of Christ Jesus.
(Copyright ©11/2012)
God’s Final Remnant
Judgment will start in God’s Church, among all men who weekly perch,
Upon the pews looking their best, for some, only how they’re dressed.
In God’s Judgment, sound and sure, all false believers will not endure,
Those who have knowingly denied, to make heart change deep inside.
God will sift the Soldiers of Christ, from all who have no changed life,
Judging those, who do not belong, to His True Blood Bought Throng.
Just like the sheep and the goats, judging him, who spiritually gloats,
Through exalting them self, in pride, above those, who in Christ abide.
Some with a pure and contrite heart, serving God and doing their part,
Are at times hurt by others within, Christ’s Body when they tolerate sin,
And some, may not even belong, ignoring what we deem to be wrong,
Causing much hurt and undue strife, to members who truly love Christ.
How long will God’s Spirit contend, with all those who merely pretend,
That they belong to Christ’s Church, even without a true spiritual birth?
Bringing a Body that bears His name, time and again, hurt and shame,
Unconverted souls women and men, in the Church but not Born Again.
A remnant, God had used before, and a remnant, He’ll use once more,
This, at the end of this present age, before Christ turns that final page,
God will end with a remnant of those, who truly follow Christ who rose,
A final remnant, who truly believed, in the One, who they truly received.
(Copyright ©09/2009)
He's My Friend
He promised me that when we started, He would be with me to the end,
For He isn't just a man, but He's my Lord, and my God, and my Friend.
Understanding these basic facts the early Church stood in one accord,
For this very unity of the Church is for what The Lord had implored.
The very Word that started the Church, must today be again explored,
As adherence to The Word is the only way true unity will be restored.
It is Jesus Christ who is that very Word, and He will not be ignored,
For being sent with The Father's authority, to many He is their Lord.
For He was given full authority from His Father with a pleasing nod,
And when Doubting Thomas saw Him, he responded “My Lord and My God.”
So my dear friend its time to strip off your useless worldly facade,
For when Christ returns, He will rule His Eternal Kingdom with a rod.
For Christ knows all about your life and where your feet have trod,
And Jesus leads to paths of righteousness, for many He is their God.
He commanded us to preach the Gospel, before to Heaven He did ascend,
It is The Truth for us to live by, not simply an option to recommend.
This is a message that many with hardened hearts won't comprehend,
And there are those who live unrighteous, whose hearts it will offend.
Let Him in and see, that the darkest heart His Grace will transcend,
For Jesus Christ would like to be your Lord, your God, and Friend.
(Copyright © 05/2002)
If Christ Came Questioning
If Christ came questioning His world to-day,
(If Christ came questioning,)
'What hast thou done to glorify thy God,
Since last My feet this lower earth plane trod?'
How could I answer Him; and in what way
One evidence of my allegiance bring;
If Christ came questioning.
If Christ came questioning, to me alone,
(If Christ came questioning,)
I could not point to any church or shrine
And say, 'I helped build up this house of Thine;
Behold the altar, and the corner stone';
I could not show one proof of such a thing;
If Christ came questioning.
If Christ came questioning, on His demand,
(If Christ came questioning,)
No pagan soul converted to His creed
Could I proclaim; or say, that word or deed
Of mine, had spread the faith in any land;
Or sent it forth, to fly on stronger wing;
If Christ came questioning.
If Christ came questioning the soul of me,
(If Christ came questioning,)
I could but answer, 'Lord, my little part
Has been to beat the metal of my heart,
Into the shape I thought most fit for Thee;
And at Thy feet, to cast the offering;
Shouldst Thou come questioning.
'From out the earth-fed furnaces of desire,
(Ere Thou cam'st questioning,)
This formless and unfinished gift I brought,
And on life's anvil flung it down, white hot:
A glowing thing, of selfishness and fire,
With blow on blow, I made the anvil ring;
(Ere Thou cam'st questioning).
'The hammer, Self-Control, beat hard on it;
(Ere Thou cam'st questioning,)
And with each blow, rose fiery sparks of pain;
I bear their scars, on body, soul, and brain.
Long, long I toiled; and yet, dear Lord, unfit,
And all unworthy, is the heart I bring,
To meet Thy questioning.'
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Today... 'The Chief Cornerstone
The church is built upon Jesus Christ alone
Its' solid, immoveable foundation stone
Joined in Christ, a holy temple in the Lord
Indwelt by the Spirit of the living God
One with God's people and fellow citizens
As members of His household our praise ascends
Living stones bringing spiritual sacrifice
We worship Him for paying sins awful price
Trusting in Him we'll never be put to shame
And in heavens glory will His praise proclaim
There nothing can destroy what Jesus has done
For He is the Altogether Lovely One
From the early church and throughout history
Many souls have come to Him through Calvary
Born again and each one has taking their place
a living stone made beautiful by God's grace
Although we are many we have become one
Bound together in love by God's Only Son
Chosen by Him for the Body of Christ
Saved by His grace and His loving sacrifice
(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)
When That Trumpet Sounds
Most people around today can’t see the darkness through the gloom,
But this very darkness is one sign that The Lord is coming back soon.
Paul spoke of a time when this very evil would get worse and worse,
But, before God judges this evil, Christ will remove His Church first.
For the wrath of God has been revealed against all this Godlessness,
A Day of Judgment against all who suppress the Truth by wickedness.
But Christ gave many promises to all, who believe and walk His path,
One of those is that The Church has not been saved to suffer wrath.
For Christ gave Himself for all men to redeem us from all wickedness,
His Grace has appeared to all and helps us say No to all Godlessness.
As man, apart from Christ, is destined to face Judgment for his sin,
Christ will come again with Salvation for all those waiting for Him.
Paul spoke of a day, that when it comes, for many will be a mystery,
A day when The Lord Himself will change our mortal into immortality.
When in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, The Last Trumpet sounds,
We in The Church who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds.
After The Church is caught up together to be forever with The Lord,
God’s Righteous Judgment, for those who remain, will be at the door,
As the darkness around us gets darker there’s really no need to fear,
For as a Child of God, when that Trumpet sounds we’ll be otta here.
(Copyright © 05/2002)
The altar
What use is a church,
what use are religious people to me,
when the love of Christ,
I do not in them and in it see
and when they act like religious fanatics
as if they are here to be judge and jury
and have all the facts?
Even going so far in writing,
to dare me to act with destruction,
when it lies in my hands?
And I refrain from that kind of thing,
scared that somehow, some of their members,
are sincere followers of Jesus Christ,
whom I may also harm.
I take the Bible as the book, the only one
which spells out the gospel of my life,
gives explanations of the beyond
and shows the things to come
and every day in humility
I stand on my knees,
trying to make my heart
the altar of my own church.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sex & The Church
Though the idea of compassion
Is said to be
The union of christ
And his bride, the christian
Its all very puzzling
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
And the church
And the church
All the great mystic religions
Put strong emphasis, on
Redeame this spiritual qualities
Of sex of sex
Chrstianity
Has been pretty modern
About sex
Of sex of sex of sex of sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex sex
I think there is a union
Between the flesh and the spirit
Its sex and the church
Sex and the church
All religions mother
Give me youre freedom of spirit
And the joys of the flesh
Of sex sex sex and the church
Give me youre freedom of spirit
And the joys of the flesh
Of sex sex sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
And the church
And the church
Sex sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
And the church
And the church
Sex sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex sex
Sex
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex and the church
Sex sex
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Foundational Truth
The foundation for Grace was laid, when by Christ the price was paid,
Paid with His Blood on a cross, where Christ had died for sinners lost.
With the precious blood of Jesus Christ, He bought for all Eternal Life,
As life is in the blood my friend, and in Jesus Christ that life won’t end.
He is the Church’s one foundation, the Lord and God of our Salvation,
And He is the Chief Cornerstone, as salvation is found in Christ alone.
Christ, who died for all men on earth, offers to every man a New Birth,
The moment you believe is when, in Jesus Christ, you are born-again.
This is the foundation of New Life, life that’s found only in Jesus Christ,
Christ can give you a new start, transforming both your mind and heart.
Jesus will turn you from your sin, when you begin a daily walk with Him,
The Lord will make your life brand new, as He walks and talks with you.
Foundational Truth God does impart, with The Spirit to an open heart,
Where in your heart He will reside, helping believers to in Christ abide.
The Spirit guides us from all sin, as we begin to yield and grow within,
As God’s Spirit helps us to discern, the Truths that we read and learn.
The Word of God is foundational, to change your life and do God’s will.
Sharper than a two-edged sword, is the Living Word of Christ our Lord,
This for the renewing of our mind, as God purifies us leaving sin behind,
So we can live in newness of life, honoring The One who paid the price.
(Copyright ©09/2006)
As His Wife
As Christ’s Church and as His wife, we have a purpose in our life,
When we gather together as one, under the headship of The Son,
In worship and instruction friend, together we seek a glorious end.
When we fellowship in one place, as believers to express our faith.
Worship friend’s an integral part, of expressing what’s in our heart,
As we worship Christ our King, with all our hearts in song we sing.
Worship through heartfelt song, from all The Lord’s earthly throng,
Praises lifted to The Lord above, thanking Him for all Christ’s Love.
Instruction we get from The Word, when The Truth of God is heard,
God using The Word of the Lord, sharper than a two-edged sword,
Instructing believers in our daily life, how to live each day for Christ.
As God’s Word cuts deep within, helping The Body to deal with sin.
Fellowship too, is an essential key, to prepare believers for eternity,
While building up the Body of Christ, God shapes us for eternal life.
Fellowship in every local church, strengths us in our Savior’s worth,
Reaching out unto your brother, as believers building up each other.
Expressing our faith in The Lord, is what Christ’s Church is here for,
Making disciples in every nation, to share with all men His salvation.
Expressing our faith in Jesus Christ, while being for Him a sacrifice,
Whatever the pain or the cost, to reach for Christ a world that’s lost.
(Copyright ©06/2006)
Corporate Worship
Most Believers gather corporately, to worship The Eternal Creator,
The Lamb of God from Calvary, The Lord our God and our Savior;
Believers are filled by God's Word, to guide us all through this life,
As we're led, by all we have heard, from the words of Jesus Christ.
We too are filled with Christ's Spirit, as He dwells within our hearts,
Moved in Truth, this as we hear it, as Truth to us His Spirit imparts;
And so we worship God in Truth; Words of Truth from God above,
With our life as His living proof, when we display a Christ like love.
All God's people worship in liberty, being freed through the blood,
From the rugged cross of Calvary, controlled by the Spirit of God;
We must worship in full unity, as Christ's Body, through New Birth,
Worshiping The God of Eternity, as God's Church, upon this earth.
Believers value the Church's history, the people of God in the past,
As we journey forward to eternity, a time for all that will forever last;
Believers value God's present ways, as we worship Christ together,
Lifting up to The Lord our praise, till one day we praise Him forever.
Indeed we value all people of God, together, for one Great Mission,
Believers across this earth we trod, fulfilling His Great Commission;
So we gather as God's people, remembering God's Great Sacrifice,
Moving beyond church and steeple, to bring others to Jesus Christ.
Unwavering
In a world where hearts can waver, we serve an unchanging Savior,
Who walks ahead strong and tall, to lift believers up when they fall.
Christ, the same today as yesterday, Christ is faithful in every way.
With a heart which changes never, Christ remains the same forever.
Changing times and varying roles, in the world even changes souls,
Following what this world may say, can even lead a Believer astray.
But always near and always true, Christ’s there to always guide you,
Back to this world’s only stable place, on the Rock by God’s Grace.
Saving Grace in God’s economy, remains the same for you and me,
God’s Grace, unchanging as it is, in fact changes sinners, to be His.
Grace which reaches near and far, to accept anyone where there are,
Moving us into God’s own family; into Christ’s Kingdom for Eternity.
The Grace which Christ unfurled, is still the same in a changing world,
As His unchanging Revelation, remains true and sure to every nation.
With God’s purpose set into stone, to build a Church, to call His own,
With all of those called out from, the world, to remain true to His Son.
As this world changes, be assured, there is a true stability in our Lord,
And in this Truth we can proclaim, through the power of Christ’s name,
As His Eternal Truth sets men apart, instilling The Spirit into their heart,
For the unchanged purpose in life, unwavering service to Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©11/2007)
Time To Refocus
Many souls Satan will deceive, through a religion they believe,
Void of many Truths of God, taught through a deceptive nod,
And many who know and understand, for God, take no stand,
Enticed by men politically correct, even if they’re God’s Elect.
Since we’ll be with Christ forever, why can’t we stand together,
Opposing darkness, men portray, as being normal in our day?
For we, in Christ, know what’s right, guided by Truth and Light,
But, dark dulls the thinking of, many who are born from above.
Do some no longer fix their eyes, on the One above the skies?
The Lord’s only Eternal Son, Who made The Church Body one,
One unified Body on this earth, born in one Spirit, by new birth,
To serve Christ, in one accord, not following men but The Lord.
Men outside the Body of Christ, fill the Church with undue strife,
Not even mindful of our Savior, mock the ways of their Creator,
God’s Truth they may not believe, yet, their ways some receive,
Simply adding divisiveness, in a Body asserting righteousness.
We need to take a spiritual pause, to focus again on our cause,
Being for God the salt and light, in a world where wrong is right,
Guiding men to the Perfect Lamb; the only Savior of every man,
Opposing men’s dark behavior, as we point souls to our Savior.
(Copyright ©08/2010)