Christ is Enough

Vera Likhonin
Dec 11, 2022
5 min read

As I was preparing this Monday's Bible Study topic, namely "Hope for Tomorrow," I was searching to see what the Bible says on the topic.

What kind of hope, for tomorrow, does it give? If I, or another person, do not see a reason to live, a reason to get out of bed, what does God offer?

This topic is dear to my heart because it is something that I have personally experienced. Additionally, having had many one-on-one conversations with younger and older women, I found that, at some point in their life, they have experienced the same. A feeling of hopelessness, and a lack of reason to live... really live, and not just exist.

What hope does one have if they are an invalid? They are unlikely to be married, be independent, or build a career.

What hope is there for the lonely individual who is single and is unable to find that special someone? Time is passing and their youth is fading.

What hope is there for the poor family who is struggling day after day, year after year, not able to get out of their situation, living paycheck-to-paycheck? They watch as others go on vacations that they themselves cannot afford.

What hope is there for the childless woman who, growing up, dreamed to be a stay-at-home mom? Now, she neither has her own nor can adopt.

Where can hope be found?

You may say, "anything is possible, you just have to work hard for it." To an extent, that's true. Yet for some, it is wishful thinking. Just as many, many dreams are not fulfilled on "America's Got Talent."

Not everyone can travel. Not everyone can have a family. Not everyone will live in a big, beautiful house.

I kept coming across Bible verses that said that hope is in the Lord.

I was struggling to put the Bible Study topic together. To my shame and ignorance, I was underestimating, at that moment, the depth and meaning of having hope in the Lord, period. That a life that is in Christ is enough.

The following day, on Sunday, I was watching our church service from home. Konstantin Andriyevskiy was preaching and encouraging his listeners to repent, to get right with God. Before the sermon ended, he shared a story that reminded me of the meaning of what Christ has to offer and its true value, unlike anything that the world would offer.

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Konstantin Andriyevskiy

Translated from Russian to English by Vera Likhonin

Before we pray, in the end, I would like to read a small amazing story. After that, I'd like to ask, if we can, so that the musicians would play a song and we will pray together. We will call and wait for anyone who has made a conclusion today. So that the joy of Christmas would truly be the joy of Christmas! Not just a birthday, not just toys!

One day, just as now, in London, there was a call to repentance. It was the second half of the 18th century. When many churches in London decided to make an evangelizing service. They rented a drama theater and posted many announcements. This was a Christmas service. They invited a named preacher of that time. Posters were hung up all over the city. The church service was to be held at a large drama theater.

That day, a famous actress was driving by the theater, Mrs. Temple, a star in England. She read the poster and thought, "I'll go and take a look."

So there she was in the theater. The theater seats ten thousand people. Many came, and even the isles were filled. But when people saw the actress, a favorite of the people, they began to move apart, and she, step by step, came closer to where the pulpit was. A seat was given to her and she sat down.

The preacher, seeing her, thought, "Here is an opportunity, and maybe the only opportunity, to witness to this special person about Christ."

He prayed within himself, and speaking to the auditorium, he suddenly pronounced, "A life is for sale! The life of Mrs. Temple! Who would like to purchase it?"

The actress froze, she was shocked, not knowing how to react!

The preacher, however, continued, as if on behalf of the buyer, said, "Me!"

"Who are you?"

"I am Success!"

"What will you give for the life of Mrs. Temple?"

"I will give her fame, honor, admiration, public recognition, she will be praised!"

"That's a good price," said the preacher. "But after death, what will you give her?"

"No, I will not give her anything. She will simply die."

"Who else would like to buy the life of Mrs. Temple?"

"Me!"

"Who are you?"

"I am Wealth."

"What will you give for her life?"

"I will give her anything that she wants! I will give her gold and make her more wealthy than King Solomon!"

"This payout is even better! But what will you give her after death?"

"After death, nothing. She will die."

"No. We cannot sell you the life of Mrs. Temple. Who else would like to buy the life of Mrs. Temple?"

"Me!"

"Who are you?"

"I am the Devil."

"What will you give for her life?"

"I will give her the whole world!"

"Oh wow! How highly you value her! But where will she be after death?"

"After death, she will perish with me in the Lake of Fire."

"No, Devil, we will not sell her to you."

"Who else would like to purchase the life of Mrs. Temple?"

"Me!"

"Who are you?"

"I am Christ."

"What will you give for her life?"

"For her life, I will leave the glory of heaven, I will come down to the sinful world, I will take on the form of a servant. For her, I will suffer a lot, and will give My life on the cross, so that she can live without sin! I do not promise a life filled with roses, but rather, in Me, she will have peace in her heart."

"But after death, what will you give?"

"After death, I will raise from the dead all who love Me. I will give her eternal life. She will always be with Me. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which I've prepared for her in eternity. She will receive joy, which will have no end."

The preacher turned to the actress, and asked, "Would you like to sell your life to Jesus Christ?"

Like a ball, she jumped up from her seat, and fell to her knees, in tears of emotion and repentance, she called out to the Savior.

Hundreds followed her, having given their hearts and lives.

I pray that God gives me the wisdom to put together a Bible study that reflects the true meaning of hope, in Christ.

"In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my Light, my Strength, my Song

This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.

My Comforter, my all in all,

Here in the love of Christ, I stand."