I totally admit that I’m a punchline. When it comes to stories, in movies or in books, I’m the guy who likes his villains in black hats and all the heroes in white. I like it when you can clearly see what is good, honorable and pleasing; what is evil should stick out like a bulging, sore thumb. I want to know who I’m rooting for, and for them to deserve it the entire time. I want the bad guys to get what’s coming in the end.
In my-kinda stories, the inevitable conflict arises where the characters are tested, where challenges abound and where relationships are stressed. What makes the story great, however, is the movement that takes place, as the turning point is reached, the climax approaches, then the heroes survive and flourish. The greater the challenges, the greater the triumph. And, the end of the story needs to be clear: resolution complete, story finished.
Mind you, I don’t resent a little bit of character development. When there is growth in a character, either one in white or in black, I can appreciate that. And, when there’s a bit of a twist, when a “hero” turns out to be a “villain” that’s ok too, just so long as he clearly switches hats. The good guys, after all, are the good guys!
Unfortunately, real-life stories are rarely (if ever) like that. Most true stories are, well, like real life—they are filled with moments when the heroes dress in black, where the villains do honorable things. The times in life where evil is pure evil, or where what is right is undeniably clear, are few and far between; most of the time things look a little grey-ish, where what is right and wrong is not so clearly discerned. In real life, God’s common grace, the blessings He gives to all (the heroes and villains) is reflected in everyone. In real life, the depravity of sin, the brokenness, sorrow and sadness, impacts us all every day. The good guys and the bad guys show signs of God’s blessings and sin’s destruction.
The endings of real-life stories are rarely so fixed and clear, for the resolution of the plot so frequently reverberates into the future. What God does in our lives, the redemption and restoration of His grace, continues its transformative work until the Lord comes again.
The Gospel Story. Good guys and bad guys; conflict, challenge, struggle; then the climax approaches, the turning point is reached, salvation appears; that salvation then works itself out into every aspect of life. The Gospel Story, as summarized in eleven verses. Right in the middle of his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes the Gospel story, identifying the characters, the temptations, the crux and the resolution.
What a story! I encourage you to join us in worship this week, as we recount, celebrate and bask in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In preparation for worship this week, read Philippians 3:1-11.
- What possible explanations are there for the “finally” in verse 1? What is “final” here?
- Paul’s use of “dogs” is clearly metaphorical. Why would this term be used of his theological opponents? Don’t think in terms of puppy dogs but more of wild, ravenous dogs.
- Paul lists out his “credentials” in verses 4-6. While these might mean little to us, what would be a similar list in today’s society? Why would such a list be perceived as valuable? Where do you have temptations to make such a list?
- The turning point in this story is found in verse 7 with the word, “but.” How does Paul find this “turning point?” What is the difference between what went before and what follows?
- Paul’s description of a Christian is pretty amazing (verses 8-10). List out each of the characteristics Paul mentions. How would each look if they were shown full tilt in your life? For instance, “that I may know him” in verse 10. If that was full tilt in your life, how would that look?
By Henry Knapp