Sunday July 25th, 2021 Roundtable
Truth is the Rock of Ages
This week’s Lesson Sermon Subject: Truth
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Morning Prayers
Hold to the omnipotence of God, Truth; evil is not a power; it is the opposite; and by opposite I mean that which is unlike, in quality, quantity and nature.
God gives to each and every one of His children abundantly all they need, and that supply is not-cannot be-hidden at any time by any mortal mind law or claim, for all laws and claims of mortal mind are false laws, and of the no-mind, which has no real existence. It is destroyed by Truth now.
There is but one Physician because there is but one Mind; whose medicine is Truth; which destroys all error; whose attraction is Love; which casteth out all fear. This is the one Mind which was also in Christ Jesus, and this Mind alone can draw all men unto Him-divne Love.
‘You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.’ The knowing is the thing that counts;
— from Divinity Course and General Collectanea, (the “Blue Book”), by Mary Baker Eddy, page 32, 76, 283, 285
Discussion points
487 — WATCH that you realize that healing the sick is always simple and straightforward in Science. It becomes difficult only because error claims to put deterrents in the way, to prevent the good work from being accomplished. Once Mrs. Eddy wrote, “The law of mortal mind that says our work, whatever it may be, will not amount to anything, must be broken. Know first that no such law can interfere with Truth. Second — that there is no such law. All law is divine and this law of mortal mind is only the inverted image of the law of God. Reverse it and you will find the divine law that all thoughts of Truth must have an effect.”
At another time, when the publishing of her book Unity of Good was delayed about six months, she wrote, “The way is blockaded in proportion to the weight of good that is to be carried over it, you know.”
— from 500 Watching Points by Gilbert Carpenter
GOLDEN TEXT: Psalm 25 : 10
“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
Rock: In Scripture, figuratively, defense; means of safety; protection; strength; asylum. Firmness; a firm or immovable foundation.
Forum post — “Unto Such As Keep His Covenant & Testimonies” by Parthens
Forum post — “Mercy is Christ’s Sanctuary” by by JC
Forum post — “More Faith” by Joanne from FL
Forum post — “Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood” by Kerry from CA
We’ve learned to pray daily with the following powerful statements given to us by Christ Jesus from the book of John: “I and my Father are one” (John 10: 30 ), “The Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works” (John 14: 10), and “The Father hath not left me alone” (John 8: 29)…(read more by clicking on link below.)
Article — “Three Essential Statements” by Mary Beth Singleterry
We must remember that the smallest truth is mightier than the greatest lie the world has ever known.
— from Divinity Course and General Collectanea, (the “Blue Book”), by Mary Baker Eddy, page 233
Our constant prayer for increased spiritual understanding may be thus phrased: “Open to me the gates of righteousness.” In his first epistle, the beloved disciple tells us that Christ Jesus “came by water and blood.” As water is a symbol of purity, and Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (p. 25 ) that “the spiritual essence of blood is sacrifice,” we can realize that the only way by which we enter into “the gates” is by a purified consciousness, and by taking up the cross, being ready to sacrifice all material hindrances to the advancement of the kingdom within. The gospel illustration of Jesus driving out of his Father’s house all unhallowed forces of commercialism is an important lesson to us, showing that only as we entertain material beliefs do we experience discord, and that they must all be driven out.
If consciousness is filled with pure, loving thought for all humanity, we shall dwell in God, and God in us, as we are assured in the first epistle of John, and thus only will it be found possible to obey the Scriptural injunction as found in the epistle of Peter, “If any man speak, as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth.” Mrs. Eddy says, “We must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being” (Science and Health, p. 264 ). These inspired words speak of the grandeur possible to those who dwell “in the secret place of the most High,” our only real home.
— from “Passing of Evil” in Christian Science Sentinel, August 15, 1914
Every civil government is based upon some religion or philosophy of life. Education in a nation will propagate the religion of that nation. In America, the foundational religion was Christianity. And it was sown in the hearts of Americans through the home and private and public schools for centuries. Our liberty, growth, and prosperity was the result of a Biblical philosophy of life. Our continued freedom and success is dependent on our educating the youth of America in the principles of Christianity.
In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed. … No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country.
The education of youth should be watched with the most scrupulous attention. [I]t is much easier to introduce and establish an effectual system … than to correct by penal statutes the ill effects of a bad system. … The education of youth … lays the foundations on which both law and gospel rest for success.
— by Noah Webster
A wise worker once said, “Be so instant in Truth that error is always too late.”
— “Sermons and Articles” by Doris White Evans, page 70
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Hymn: — 324 from The Christian Science Hymnal, 1932 edition
Christian Science explains all cause and effect as mental, not physical. It lifts the veil of mystery from Soul and body. It shows the scientific relation of man to God, disentangles the interlaced ambiguities of being, and sets free the imprisoned thought.
— from Science and Health, 1910, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 114
Final Readings
I became interested in Christian Science through being healed.
I had no faith in doctors, therefore would not consult any; but felt that something must be done, or I would soon follow a brother and sister, who had passed on with the same claim. In my extremity I thought of the Great Physician, and took my case to Him, and realized that He alone could help me.
A relative finding I would not consult a doctor or take any drug, gave me Science and Health to read saying, although a dear friend thought she was greatly helped by a Christian Scientist he himself had no faith in that kind of treatment, and had no use for the book.
I had heard of the people called Christian Scientists, and their text book Science and Health, but knew nothing about either but I wanted to know, and took the book gladly, and was soon deeply interested in it. It was a revelation to me. Although I could only understand it in part yet I knew it was the Truth, and the Truth was making me free. I felt that I had been bound and in prison, and now one after another the bonds were being broken, and I was lifted into the pure air and light of Heaven. I was healed before I had read half way through the precious volume, for I was obliged to read slowly, and some passages over and over again. When I came to the words, in Science and Health page 304, line 10 47th ed. I then and there felt that I must add my testimony, though there were already heaps upon heaps. But since then I have tried to put the thought of those dark days away from me, and only refer to them now with the hope that some one who is bound may be released and brought into the light of Divine Love, which alone can heal, and make us every-whit whole.
— from “Notes from the Field” in Christian Science Journal, September 1894, L. M. C., Brooklyn, N. Y.