Subject: SUBSTANCE
9/13/09
BIBLE LESSON NOTES
DEDICATED TO THE “GRAND AND NOBLE LIVES” OF SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS
OF FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, NEWPORT BEACH, CA
(Now downloadable in PDF format at www.grandnoble.vmslink.com)
TREASURES IN HEAVEN by
WILLIS F. GROSS. The Christian Science Journal, Vol.
22, No. 1, April 1904
IN the first chapter of John's gospel we
read, "All things were made by him; and
without him was not anything made that was
made." Here is the emphatic declaration that
creation is the work of an infinite, omnipotent
Creator, and, like its Creator, it remains
perfect, "the same yesterday, and to-day, and
forever." The logical sequence of the
Scriptural declaration that God made all
things, is that that which God did not make
has no real existence. That which seemeth to
be and is not is a false and ever-changing
sense of God's creation, and must finally give
place to the spiritual understanding of God
and the universe, including man.
The true conception of God's creation is
eternal. The real satisfies and sustains. A
finite, material sense of existence may seem
to satisfy for a time, but all too soon there
comes an awakening to the fact that money
has been spent for that which is not bread,
and labor for that which satisfieth not.
Experience teaches that the joys of earth are
not enduring.
Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth." Treasures on earth are
mortal, material beliefs, fading and fleeting,
but treasures in heaven are the ideas of divine
Mind, ever perfect and eternal. Heaven is real;
true harmony is eternal. The kingdom of
eternal harmony can be gained now, and man
enters heaven through the understanding of
what heaven is.
When the things of earth seem to satisfy,
there is little inclination to lay up treasures in
heaven. If it is believed that the possession of
those things which are within the grasp of the
material senses will bring satisfaction, there is
no incentive to strive for something higher. To
those who are content to lay up treasures on
earth and to make provision for the material
sense of life, Christianity has little to offer in
the present, for it seems to take away the
pleasures of earth and to give nothing in
return except the uncertain hope of future
joys.
Mortal man covets material things because
he believes they will make life harmonious. He
desires to be happy but happiness is a mental
condition not a material possession. Most
persons hope someday to be happier without
material possessions than they have ever
been with them. The sense of harmony which
is dependent upon materiality is "of the earth,
earthy," but the harmony of spiritual being is
real and eternal.
ENTIRE ARTICLE AT BACK
INSIDE THE LESSON
1. PREPARE FOR REIGN
2. UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS
3. WATCH WHERE YOU WALK
4. THE ONE-TWO PUNCH
5. SURVIVE IN THE WILDERNESS
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
What is the kingdom of heaven?
The abode of Spirit, the realm of the
real. No matter is there, no night is
there — nothing that maketh or
worketh a lie. Is this kingdom afar
off? No: it is ever-present here. The
first to declare against this kingdom
is matter. Shall that be called heresy
which pleads for Spirit — the All of
God, and His omnipresence?
The kingdom of heaven is the
reign of divine Science: it is a mental
state. Jesus said it is within you, and
taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom
come;" but he did not teach us to
pray for death whereby to gain
heaven. We do not look into
darkness for light. Death can never
usher in the dawn of Science that
reveals the spiritual facts of man's
Life here and now. Mis 175:32
But remember God in all thy ways,
and thou shalt find the truth that
breaks the dream of sense, letting
the harmony of Science that declares
Him, come in with healing, and
peace, and perfect love. Mis 174:1629
6. MORE OR LESS
TREASURE HUNT
Across
3.
5.
6.
8.
11.
12.
Seeing earth as a compound
idea
None is good, save one
If you love him your will keep
them
It is supreme in the
atmosphere of Spirit
Fear of the Lord
Poles to carry sacred items;
weapons.
Down
1.
2.
4.
7.
9.
10.
Thieves can't steal it there
Reign of harmony (3 words)
The only real substance
Loving God with all your
heart is what to Christianity?
The "poet of bran bread and
pumpkins"
Its where your treasure is.
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TREASURE
HUNT
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CHILD’S
PLAY
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EclipseCrossword.com
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“CHILD’S PLAY” 9/06/09
MBE ON SUPPLY
God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is
enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need
every moment. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love!
More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have. Mis 306:29
Some of the mere puppets of the hour are playing only for money, and at a fearful stake. Mis 368:23-24
The right way wins the right of way, even the way of Truth and Love whereby all our debts are paid, mankind
blessed, and God glorified. My 232:6
A remarkable thing in this building is that, although it cost two million dollars, it is not blanketed with debts and
mortgages. Everything, even to the flagstones in front of it, is paid for, and subscriptions are not solicited. Here
is an occasion for joy that marks it as different from almost all other of the Christian churches, where petitions
for money are almost as constant as petitions for divine mercy. My 89:13
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All that is worth reckoning is what we do, and the best of everything is not too good, but is economy and riches.
My 203:10-11
Competition in commerce, deceit in councils, dishonor in nations, dishonesty in trusts, begin with "Who shall be
greatest?" I again repeat, Follow your Leader, only so far as
she follows Christ. '02 4:1
B
3
If God be changeless goodness, …, what place has chance in the divine economy? Un 26:21-23
As our ideas of Deity become more spiritual, we express them by objects more beautiful. Peo 14:1-2
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EclipseCrossword.com
SUNDAY FUNNIES
…agriculture, manufacture, commerce, and wealth should be governed by honesty, industry, and justice,
reaching out to all classes and peoples. My265:28-30
If such be its power, I am opposed to it, as to every form of error,--whether of ignorance or fanaticism, prompted
by money-making or malice. It is enough for me to know that animal magnetism is neither of God nor Science.
Mis 48:8
"Thou shalt not steal;" that is, thou shalt not rob man of money, which is but trash, compared with his rights of
mind and character. Mis 67:7-9
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea,
come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Mis 148:29 Ho
Christian Science is not only the acme of Science but the crown of Christianity. It encourages and empowers
the business man and secures the success of honesty, the poor man's money; Mis 252
We are in the Valley of Decision. Then, let us take the side of him who "overthrew the tables of the
moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,"--of such as barter integrity and peace for money and
fame. Mis 270:1-4
The wicked idler earns little and is stingy; he has plenty of means, but he uses them evilly. Ask how he gets
his money, and his satanic majesty is supposed to answer smilingly: "By cheating, lying, and crime; his dupes
are his capital; his stock in trade, the wages of sin; your idlers are my busiest workers; they will leave a lucrative
business to work for me." Here we add: The doom of such workers will come, and it will be more sudden,
severe, and lasting than the adversary can hope.
'00 2:16
Now, what saith Christian Science? "When a man is right, his thoughts are right, active, and they are fruitful;
he loses self in love, and cannot hear himself, unless he loses the chord. The right thinker and worker does his
best, and does the thinking for the ages. No hand that feels not his help, no heart his comfort. He improves
moments; to him time is money, and he hoards this capital to distribute gain." '00 3:1
GRAHAM CRACKERS
ANYONE?
During his youth in Connecticut,
Sylvester Graham worked as a farm
hand and taught school. He studied for
the ministry at Amherst and acted as a
general agent for the Pennsylvania
Temperance Society and lectured on
temperance.
In time he gave his whole attention to
lecturing and included diet among his
topics. Emerson dubbed him the “poet of
bran bread and pumpkins.” Actually he
introduced Graham bread, made of
unsifted wheat flour, into general use.
MBE Mentioned Them, page 99. (SEE
SEC V)
“nor yet staves” SEC V
In Bible History, staves, from the plural
of staff, were poles that were used to
carry the sacred items of the portable
Tabernacle In The Wilderness by means
of inserting the staves through rings in
the sides of the object that was to be
carried. Staves were also used for
weapons; the mob that arrested the
Christ the night before He was crucified
was armed with swords and staves.
DAILY DUTY # 8
Lord’s Prayer-Grace for today
Give us this day our daily bread;
Give us grace for to-day; feed
the famished affections -S&H 17:4-5
SEE ALL 21 AT BACK
21 DAILY DUTIES FROM OUR LEADER
1. Bible Lessons - My 48
Mrs. Eddy insisted that her students make, every day, a
prayerful study of the Bible, and obtain the spiritual
understanding of its promises. ... in her insistence upon the
constant daily reading of the Bible and her own writings....
has given to her disciples a means of spiritual development
which ... will certainly build such truth as they do gain into the
marrow of their characters.”
2. Rule for Motives and Acts Man 40:1-15
Article VIII, GUIDANCE OF MEMBERS
A Rule for Motives and Acts. SECTION I - Neither animosity
nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts
of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine
Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the
sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness.
charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church
should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil
from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling,
influencing or being influenced erroneously.
3. Daily Prayer Man 41:19
Daily Prayer. SECT. 4. It shall be the duty of every member of
this Church to pray each day: "Thy kingdom come;" let the
reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the
affections of all mankind and govern them!
4. Alertness to Duty Man 42:4
Alertness to Duty. SECT. 6. It shall be the duty of every
member of this Church to defend himself daily against
aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget
nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind.
By his works he shall be judged-and justified or condemned.
5. Gratitude and Love in Your Heart Man 60:12
Easter Observances. SECT. 2. …Gratitude and love should
abide in every heart each day of all the years.
6. Pray Daily Ms 127:7-11
One thing I have greatly desired and again earnestly request
namely, that Christian Scientists, here and elsewhere, pray
daily for themselves; not verbally, nor on bended knee, but
mentally, meekly and importunately.
7. Some Daily Good Mis 397:17-20
My prayer, some daily good to do to Thine, for Thee; An
offering pure of Love, whereto God leadeth me. (See also S&H
40:28 It is sad that the phrase divine service has come so
generally to mean public worship instead of daily deeds.)
8. Lord’s Prayer-Grace for today S&H 17:4-5
Give us this day our daily bread;
Give us grace for to-day; feed the famished affections
9. Love Thy Neighbor Ms 7:9-10 "Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself'” has daily to be exemplified;
10. Bless Your Enemies My 220:21
Each day I pray: "God bless my enemies; make them Thy
friends; give them to know the joy and peace of love."
11. No More War My 286:3
For many years I have prayed daily that there be no more
war, no more barbarous slaughtering of our fellow-beings;
prayed that all the peoples on earth and the islands of the sea
have one God, one Mind; love God supremely, and love their
neighbor as themselves.
12. Peace, brotherhood, end of idolatry My 220:14
Each day I pray for the pacification of all national
difficulties, for the brotherhood of man, for the end of idolatry
and infidelity, and for the growth and establishment of Christian
religion — Christ's Christianity.
13. Spiritualize thought S&H 272
It is the spiritualization of thought and Christianization of
daily life, which really attest the divine origin and operation of
Christian Science.
14. Proofs demanded S&H 233:1-2
Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs
rather than professions of Christian power.
15. Watch and Pray Daily My 128:30
Watch, and pray daily that evil suggestions, in whatever
guise, take no root in your thought nor bear fruit. Ofttimes
examine yourselves, and see if there be found anywhere a
deterrent of Truth and Love. and "hold fast that which is good."
16. Daily Watchfulness S&H 4:17-22 Simply asking that we
may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to
be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in
striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will
mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness.
(MH: Watchfulness requisite)
17. Be a Law to Yourself
My 237:12-14 TAKE NOTICE
'To Christian Scientists:-See Science and Health, page 442,
line 30 and give daily attention thereto.
S&H 442:30: Christian Scientists, be a law to yourselves
that mental malpractice cannot harm you either when
asleep or when awake.
18. Read Daily Paper My 352:29-3
My desire is that every Christian Scientist, and as many others
as possible, subscribe for and read our daily newspaper.
MBE
19. “…live it daily” S&H 283:27
We must receive the divine Principle in the understanding, and
live it in daily life; and unless we so do, we can no more
demonstrate Science, than we can teach and illustrate
geometry by calling a curve a straight line or a straight line a
sphere.
20. Be in the battle every day Mis 99:15
How many are there ready to suffer for a righteous cause, to
stand a long siege, take the front rank, face the foe, and be in
the battle every day?
21. Know Him nearer… My 174:25
Each day I know Him nearer, love Him more, and humbly pray
to serve Him better. Thus seeking and finding (though feebly),
finally may we not together rejoice in the church triumphant?
TREASURES IN HEAVEN
WILLIS F. GROSS.
The Christian Science Journal, Vol. 22, No. 1, April 1904
I
N the first chapter of John's gospel we read, "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was
made." Here is the emphatic declaration that creation is the work of an infinite, omnipotent Creator, and, like its Creator, it remains
perfect, "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." The logical sequence of the Scriptural declaration that God made all things, is
that that which God did not make has no real existence. That which seemeth to be and is not is a false and ever-changing sense of
God's creation, and must finally give place to the spiritual understanding of God and the universe, including man.
The true conception of God's creation is eternal. The real satisfies and sustains. A finite, material sense of existence may seem to
satisfy for a time, but all too soon there comes an awakening to the fact that money has been spent for that which is not bread, and
labor for that which satisfieth not. Experience teaches that the joys of earth are not enduring.
Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." Treasures on earth are mortal, material beliefs, fading and fleeting, but
treasures in heaven are the ideas of divine Mind, ever perfect and eternal. Heaven is real; true harmony is eternal. The kingdom of
eternal harmony can be gained now, and man enters heaven through the understanding of what heaven is.
When the things of earth seem to satisfy, there is little inclination to lay up treasures in heaven. If it is believed that the possession
of those things which are within the grasp of the material senses will bring satisfaction, there is no incentive to strive for something
higher. To those who are content to lay up treasures on earth and to make provision for the material sense of life, Christianity has little
to offer in the present, for it seems to take away the pleasures of earth and to give nothing in return except the uncertain hope of future
joys.
Mortal man covets material things because he believes they will make life harmonious. He desires to be happy but happiness is a
mental condition not a material possession. Most persons hope someday to be happier without material possessions than they have
ever been with them. The sense of harmony which is dependent upon materiality is "of the earth, earthy," but the harmony of spiritual
being is real and eternal.
It is God's will that man should be happy. In being good and doing good alone man finds joy and satisfaction.
A good man desires the truth above all else. Truth is as true and real now as it will ever be. An idea of Truth gained is a possession for
eternity. It blesses man today for it saves him from the effects of error. It makes him a better man, for truth and goodness are
inseparable. Where truth and goodness reign supreme there is the kingdom of heaven wherein is no sin, sickness, or death. Every good
thought, word, and deed lays up treasures in heaven, for it brings a clearer realization of the allness of good and the nothingness of
evil.
Goodness is the reality of being. To gain the true idea of good is to become the possessor of good and all it includes,—life, health,
and harmony. Good is all that is worth striving for. No matter how many or how great are the sacrifices required of us, we are never
called upon to give up any part of the good we have gained.
To human sense the spiritual facts of being may seem less real than the treasures of earth, and he who forsakes matter for Spirit is
sometimes thought to be the loser in this world, and there does not seem to be sufficient proof that he will be the gainer in the world to
come. Christian Science is demonstrating that even in man's present sense of existence he is abundantly rewarded by turning from
matter to Spirit. He has not less intelligence, but more, when he gives up the belief that mind is in matter and gains a little
understanding of the scientific fact that there is but one Mind, even God, and that man is intelligent only as he is governed by the one
infinite intelligence. Every mental faculty is improved in proportion to his realization of the Truth of being.
He enjoys better health when he learns that health is in Mind and not dependent upon a material organism. His efforts to regain his
health by material means and methods were futile because material theories do not point the way to the understanding of God. When
the true sense of health is gained it cannot be lost, neither can it be impaired.
The blessings of earth become more real and enduring when it is understood that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above." Christian Science increases the desire to lay up treasures in heaven, because it teaches that heaven is here, and that treasures in
heaven are man's to enjoy in this life. They are eternal; moth and rust cannot corrupt them, neither can the thieves of material sense
take them away. Possession is mental; that which man understands, he possesses, and he has no fear of losing it. It is his for time and
for eternity. The fear of losing the things of earth is man's greatest torment, and the realization that nothing can take away the treasures
of heaven adds to the joy of their possession.
True Christianity is not subtraction and division, dividing man's pleasures and taking away his joys. It is addition and
multiplication. It adds daily to his sense of harmony and multiplies his joys. It takes away that which is false but it gives that which is
true. When man is assured that the eternal realities of being are his to enjoy now, it becomes evident that he has nothing to lose but
everything to gain, even in this world, by laying up treasures in heaven.
From: The Parables of Jesus and Their Relevance to Spiritual Healing by Trevor Leach (See Resp Reading)