Theme: Enough
Hymn 169
John Henry Newman
Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on.
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost
awhile.
Readings from the Bible.
Genesis 33:1‑11 Jacob
Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and,
behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children
unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children
foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph
hindermost. And he passed over before
them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his
brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and
embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women
and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children
which God hath graciously given thy servant.
Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed
themselves. And Leah also with her
children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and
Rachel, and they bowed themselves. And
he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These
are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto
thyself. And Jacob said, Nay, I pray
thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my
hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God,
and thou wast pleased with me. Take, I
pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt
graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took
it.
Job 37:23
Touching the Almighty, we
cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty
of justice: he will not afflict.
Proverbs 2:1‑10
My son, if thou wilt receive
my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear
unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after
knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as
silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand
the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth
cometh knowledge and understanding. He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk
uprightly. He keepeth the paths of
judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea,
every good path. #When wisdom entereth
into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Joel 2:21‑26
#Fear not, O land; be glad
and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.
Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the
wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine
do yield their strength. Be glad then,
ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you
the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain,
the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and
the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the
cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent
among you. And ye shall eat in plenty,
and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt
wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into
the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to
receive it.
Luke 15:11‑24 A
A certain man had two sons: And the younger of
them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to
me. And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took
his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous
living. And when he had spent all, there
arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen
of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with
the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How
many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish
with hunger! I will arise and go to my
father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before
thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired
servants. And he arose, and came to his
father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had
compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy
son. But the father said to his
servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his
hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and
let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was
lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
II Corinthians 3:4‑11 such
such trust have we through Christ to God‑ward:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but
our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new
testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but
the spirit giveth life. But if the
ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that
the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the
glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the
ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the
ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by
reason of the glory that excelleth. For
if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is
glorious.
II Corinthians 9:6‑11
But this I say, He which
soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully. Every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God
is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all
sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He
hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth
for ever. Now he that ministereth seed
to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown,
and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing
to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
4:27‑13
Audible prayer can never do the works of
spiritual understanding, which regenerates; but silent prayer, watchfulness,
and devout obedience enable us to follow Jesus' example. Long prayers, superstition, and creeds clip
the strong pinions of love, and clothe religion in human forms. Whatever materializes worship hinders man's
spiritual growth and keeps him from demonstrating his power over error.
Sorrow for wrong‑doing is but one step
towards reform and the very easiest step.
The next and great step required by wisdom is the test of our sincerity,
‑‑namely, reformation. To this end we
are placed under the stress of circumstances.
Temptation bids us repeat the offence, and woe comes in return for what
is done. So it will ever be, till we
learn that there is no discount in the law of justice and that we must pay
"the uttermost farthing." The
measure ye mete "shall be measured to you again," and it will be full
"and running over."
9:25‑16
Are you willing to leave all for Christ, for
Truth, and so be counted among sinners?
No! Do you really desire to
attain this point? No! Then why make long prayers about it and ask
to be Christians, since you do not care to tread in the footsteps of our dear
Master? If unwilling to follow his
example, why pray with the lips that you may be partakers of his nature? Consistent prayer is the desire to do
right. Prayer means that we desire to
walk and will walk in the light so far as we receive it, even though with
bleeding footsteps, and that waiting patiently on the Lord, we will leave our
real desires to be rewarded by Him.
The world must grow to the spiritual
understanding of prayer. If good enough
to profit by Jesus' cup of earthly sorrows, God will sustain us under these
sorrows. Until we are thus divinely
qualified and are willing to drink his cup, millions of vain repetitions will
never pour into prayer the unction of Spirit in demonstration of power and
"with signs following." Christian Science reveals a necessity for
overcoming the world, the flesh, and evil, and thus destroying all error.
Seeking is not sufficient. It is striving that enables us to enter. Spiritual attainments open the door to a
higher understanding of the divine Life.
26:1
While we adore Jesus, and the heart overflows
with gratitude for what he did for mortals,‑‑treading alone his loving pathway
up to the throne of glory, in speechless agony exploring the way for us,‑‑yet
Jesus spares us not one individual experience, if we follow his commands
faithfully; and all have the cup of sorrowful effort to drink in proportion to
their demonstration of his love, till all are redeemed through divine Love.
28:22‑6
Remember, thou Christian martyr, it is enough
if thou art found worthy to unloose the sandals of thy Master's feet! To suppose that persecution for
righteousness' sake belongs to the past, and that Christianity to‑day is at
peace with the world because it is honored by sects and societies, is to
mistake the very nature of religion.
Error repeats itself. The trials
encountered by prophet, disciple, and apostle, "of whom the world was not
worthy," await, in some form, every pioneer of truth.
There is too much animal courage in society
and not sufficient moral courage.
Christians must take up arms against error at home and abroad. They must grapple with sin in themselves and
in others, and continue this warfare until they have finished their
course. If they keep the faith, they
will have the crown of rejoicing.
180:25
When man is governed by God, the ever‑present
Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are
possible. The only way to this living
Truth, which heals the sick, is found in the Science of divine Mind as taught
and demonstrated by Christ Jesus.
224:11‑4
In the record of nineteen centuries, there
are sects many but not enough Christianity.
Centuries ago religionists were ready to hail an anthropomorphic God,
and array His vicegerent with pomp and splendor; but this was not the manner of
truth's appearing. Of old the cross was
truth's central sign, and it is to‑day.
The modern lash is less material than the Roman scourge, but it is
equally as cutting. Cold disdain,
stubborn resistance, opposition from church, state laws, and the press, are
still the harbingers of truth's full‑orbed appearing.
A higher and more practical Christianity,
demonstrating justice and meeting the needs of mortals in sickness and in
health, stands at the door of this age, knocking for admission. Will you open or close the door upon this
angel visitant, who cometh in the quiet of meekness, as he came of old to the
patriarch at noonday?
Truth brings the elements of liberty. On its banner is the Soul‑inspired motto,
"Slavery is abolished." The
power of God brings deliverance to the captive.
No power can withstand divine Love.
What is this supposed power, which opposes itself to God? Whence cometh it? What is it that binds man with iron shackles
to sin, sickness, and death? Whatever
enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free.
354:1‑17
Are the protests of Christian Science against
the notion that there can be material life, substance, or mind "utter
falsities and absurdities," as some aver?
Why then do Christians try to obey the Scriptures and war against
"the world, the flesh, and the devil"? Why do they invoke the divine aid to enable
them to leave all for Christ, Truth? Why
do they use this phraseology, and yet deny Christian Science, when it teaches
precisely this thought? The words of
divine Science find their immortality in deeds, for their Principle heals the
sick and spiritualizes humanity.
On the other hand, the Christian opponents of
Christian Science neither give nor offer any proofs that their Master's
religion can heal the sick. Surely it is
not enough to cleave to barren and desultory dogmas, derived from the
traditions of the elders who thereunto have set their seals.
365:15
If the Scientist reaches his patient through
divine Love, the healing work will be accomplished at one visit, and the
disease will vanish into its native nothingness like dew before the morning
sunshine. If the Scientist has enough
Christly affection to win his own pardon, and such commendation as the Magdalen
gained from Jesus, then he is Christian enough to practise scientifically and
deal with his patients compassionately; and the result will correspond with the
spiritual intent.
519:25‑15
God rests in action. Imparting has not impoverished, can never
impoverish, the divine Mind. No
exhaustion follows the action of this Mind, according to the apprehension of
divine Science. The highest and sweetest
rest, even from a human standpoint, is in holy work.
Unfathomable Mind is expressed. The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty,
and glory of infinite Love fill all space.
That is enough! Human language
can repeat only an infinitesimal part of what exists. The absolute ideal, man, is no more seen nor
comprehended by mortals, than is his infinite Principle, Love. Principle and its idea, man, are coexistent
and eternal. The numerals of infinity,
called seven days, can never be
reckoned according to the calendar of time.
These days will appear as mortality disappears, and they will reveal
eternity, newness of Life, in which all sense of error forever disappears and
thought accepts the divine infinite calculus.
Silent prayer followed by the audible repetition of the Lord’s Prayer.
Hymn 291
John Newton*
Quiet, Lord, my froward heart,
Make me gentle, pure, and mild,
Upright, simple, free from art;
Make me as a little child,
From distrust and envy free,
Pleased with all that pleaseth Thee.
What Thou shalt today provide
Let me as a child receive,
What tomorrow may betide
Calmly to Thy wisdom leave;
'Tis enough that Thou wilt care,
Why should I the burden bear?
As a little child relies
On a care beyond its own,
Being neither strong nor wise,
Will not take a step alone,
Let me thus with Thee abide,
As my Father, Friend, and Guide.
Sharing of experiences, testimonies and remarks by members of the congregation.
Hymn 123
"K" in Rippon's Selection, 1787 –
Adapted
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who to God for your refuge have fled:
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause
thee to
stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand;
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall
lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
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