Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, p. 201), "The best sermon ever preached is Truth practised and demonstrated by the destruction of sin, sickness, and death." Stamped on the cover of Christian Science literature is the cross and crown emblem encircled by the words of Christ Jesus, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons." Within the pages of our textbook the reader learns how these vital demands of primitive and present-day Christianity may be understood and obeyed by one and all.
Christ Jesus substantiated his preaching by his healing ministry. To suffering and sinning human beings he brought tangible evidence of the redemptive power of God, divine Love. "He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God." Could we picture Jesus delivering sermons without also "shewing the glad tidings" in works of deliverance to those who sought his aid? To him, "preaching and shewing" were inseparable: they represented the ideal healing sermon translated into action. Summarizing his Master's work among men, John wrote, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."
It is related in the Acts of the Apostles that, in the course of a sermon delivered by Paul, Eutychus, one of the congregation, "fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead." The preacher then went to his aid, declared the presence of life in him, with the result that "they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted." By this action Paul proved the value of his sermon.
