{"id":237,"date":"2025-08-14T23:31:47","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T23:31:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cwtministry.com\/?p=237"},"modified":"2025-08-17T18:58:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T18:58:10","slug":"checkmate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cwtministry.com\/?p=237","title":{"rendered":"Checkmate"},"content":{"rendered":"
Dr. CECIL W THORN, Ph.D. (Theology)<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“One More Move: God\u2019s Victory in Our Defeat”<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you know anything about the game of chess, you know it all comes down to when the King on either side can move no more. Once the king is trapped, the winning side declares \u201ccheckmate\u201d and the game is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a painting that once hung in the Louvre museum in Paris, painted by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch. Today, the painting is popularly known as \u201cCheckmate.\u201d It is now in private hands, having been sold in a Christie\u2019s auction in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The painting depicts two chess players. One is Satan, who appears arrogantly confident. The other player is a man who looks forlorn. If Satan wins, he wins the man\u2019s soul. You can view more of the creepy details below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chess Grandmaster\u2019s Discovery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to legend, and probably fact, the story goes like this. A chess grand master came upon this intriguing painting in the Louvre museum alongside other famous art such as the Mona Lisa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grand mastered stared a long time at the chess board in the painting and finally noticed something surprising. The typical interpretation of the painting (that the devil had the man in \u201ccheckmate\u201d) was incorrect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the devil seemed to be the obvious victor, he was in fact not winning. The man, who thought he was losing, was actually winning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the arrangement of the pieces left on the chess board, his king had one more move. This fateful move would make him the winner of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grand master called the curator and determined that the title \u201cCheckmate\u201d did not fit the scene because the forlorn-looking player actually had the ability to defeat his opponent, though he didn\u2019t realize it yet. His king had one more move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Main Scripture Reading<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cBut thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Outline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. The Devil\u2019s Illusion of Victory<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • 1 Peter 5:8\u20139<\/em> \u2014 Satan seeks to intimidate and destroy, often making us think it\u2019s \u201cgame over.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Like in the painting, Satan appears confident, but his perception of victory is false.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Illustration:<\/strong> Good Friday looked like the end, but it was only Friday \u2014 Sunday was coming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    2. God\u2019s Way of Escape<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • 1 Corinthians 10:13<\/em> \u2014 God promises we\u2019re never without a way out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • We may not see the \u201cmove\u201d God has prepared until we look from His perspective.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Encourage prayer, Scripture reading, and wise counsel to see God\u2019s path forward.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      3. The Cross as the Final Move<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Colossians 2:15<\/em> \u2014 Jesus\u2019 death and resurrection stripped Satan of his power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Satan\u2019s ultimate \u201ccheckmate\u201d attempt at Calvary became his eternal defeat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Our hope is grounded in Christ\u2019s finished work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n\n\n\n

        4. Resilience in the Midst of Pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • 2 Corinthians 4:8\u20139<\/em> \u2014 We may be \u201cpressed\u201d but not \u201ccrushed.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Our circumstances do not determine our destiny.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • God\u2019s \u201cone more move\u201d often comes when we\u2019re at our lowest point.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n\n\n\n

          5. The Final Checkmate Belongs to God<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Revelation 20:10<\/em> \u2014 Satan\u2019s final end is certain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • The believer\u2019s future is secure in Christ; the enemy\u2019s defeat is irreversible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \n\n\n\n

            Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Have you ever felt like you were at \u201ccheckmate\u201d in life? How did God give you hope?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Why do you think God sometimes lets situations look hopeless before bringing victory?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. How can we encourage others who feel trapped by sin, fear, or circumstances?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \n\n\n\n

              Memory Verse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n

              \u201cBut thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d \u2014 1 Corinthians 15:57<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

              \n\n\n\n

              Closing Challenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • When you feel surrounded, remember: It\u2019s not over.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • God always has one more move. Trust Him to make it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                \n\n\n\n

                Feel free to ask me about anything, including comments on articles, questions you may have.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

                \n\n
                <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n \n