Point: Predictive prophecies are important in God’s attestation from His Word that Jesus is the Messiah. How could we further illustrate the importance of Messianic prophecies?
Picture: When I was younger I use to work security in Hollywood. Our company would often get contracts and clients in the movie industry and movie premieres was a big staple of what we did. You know: red carpets, paparazzi, celebrities in elegant dresses and searchlights rotating and beaming unto the night sky. Anyone who knows me will know I’m not really a movie guy. So there’s a lot of celebrities I don’t know and recognized. There was a time right after September 11th our company had to have a lot more security measure for these red carpet events including checking bags and the use of metal detectors. There was one particular night I was working for a premiere in which there was a lot of people coming not in the usual waves but they came all at once. I was trying to do my job of checking for passes and also checking all bags. The main actors and actresses of course wouldn’t need a pass. They also were signaled to enter through another door that didn’t have the same level of security. I was in between the door and also where the limo dropped off people. Given the amount of people I started tunnel visioning and didn’t check faces since I was busy looking for bags and passes hanging on people’s necks. A woman approach me and I notice she didn’t have a pass. So I stopped her. Suddenly my ear piece cracked with life. It had everyone talking. This included my boss and supervisor panicking. And they were calling for me. They were telling me that I had stopped the main actress of the movie. She had accidentally walked towards me instead of moving with others with where she was going. Of course I let her passed me right away. My boss and supervisors walked over towards me. They asked me laughingly if this is another case of where I didn’t know my celebrity (the name of the celebrity is omitted). I said I didn’t know her. They both paused. Then they told me to turn around. Behind me on top of the fancy theater in Hollywood was a big huge billboard that had the promotion of the movie. It had much lights shining on it. And of all things the movie promotion had a picture of only one person: the main actress. I got to say I got kind of embarrassed. Sure she didn’t dress like what she wore on the billboard but still it was a big huge picture of her. Not just her face but her whole person from head to toe. All I need to do to identify her was to look back and see what she’s suppose to look like. Then looking forward I know what to expect if I’m looking out for her. And that is similar with Christ. We look back in Redempetive History at the Messianic Prophecies found in the Old Testament. Then with those expectations in looking forward to the New Testament in our reading of the Bible we see that Jesus is the Messiah whom we are looking for.
POSSIBLE SCENARIO FOR EMPLOYING THIS ILLUSTRATION DURING APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM
OPPONENT: How do we even know Jesus is the Messiah? Anyone can claim to be the Messiah.
CHRISTIAN: That’s a good question. I think the Old Testament made very specific predictions about the Messiah. But you need to know the Old Testament portion of the Bible first. You know why that’s important for knowing Jesus is the Messiah? <Insert Illustration>. So in this story what was it I need to do to identify the main actress while I was working?
OPPONENT: Turn behind you and look what you are to look out for.
CHRISTIAN: Exactly! For more on Messianic Prophecies check out the following: The Scriptural Road of Emmaus: Messianic Types and Prophecies, Messianic Psalms: 4 Messages, Messianic Prophecy: Isaiah 53, An Exposition Series by John MacArthur and Messianic Prophecy The Suffering Servant (Isa 52:13-53) Youtube sermon by James White.
[…] GO TO PART 50 […]
Excellent illustration! How ironic that the Pharisees had the Old Testament billboard but didn’t recognize the Messiah when He stood in front of them.
Your comment reminded me of how when Jesus was born the religious leaders could give the answer to Herod of where the Messiah would be born yet they didn’t go look for the Messiah like the wise men did. What a lesson we should learn about seeking Jesus when we read the Word, amen?
I like your observation. It’s one thing to hear what others think, but quite another to answer: what think YE of Christ?
Thanks Colorstorm! I see you are an evangelist of sorts on WordPress from your posts so its no wonder you would appreciate the “you” aspect of what do Ye think of Christ! Keep up the good work on your blog brother, glad to see a light for Christ online, you know?
😂 of sorts yes-
Was one in hospital earlier today, equal employment opportunities for all believers.
RE: What a lesson we should learn about seeking Jesus when we read the Word, amen?
Amen! Yup, there’s the seeking Jesus in the Word and then taking notice of those opportunities to apply the knowledge/serve, often when our flesh doesn’t want to.
Good point from the wise men
Wow. Ty. Never saw it this way before. Eye opener.
Hope it was helpful! How is your day sister?
Day has been wonderful. TY my brother.:)
I would not have known either. lol
How are you doing Beverly?
Cold but at least we missed the snow storm.
Wonderful analogy of a very important lesson! 🙂
Aww thanks and thank you for the reblogs!
Glad to do it! 🙂
Reblogged this on RG's 2 Cents Studios.
[…] Source: Apologetics Sermon Illustration #50: Messianic Prophecy And A Red Carpet Premiere | The Domain for T… […]
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thank you for the reblog!
You’re very welcome
Good analogy from your personal life
[…] 2.) Apologetics Sermon Illustration #50: Messianic Prophecy And A Red Carpet Premiere […]
This is excellent….
Thanks! I try to work on illustrations to explain the Gospel and defend the faith. May you have a blessed Lord’s day!
Thank you! blessings
[…] Messianic Prophecy And A Red Carpet Premiere […]
[…] Messianic Prophecy And A Red Carpet Premiere […]
[…] GO TO PART 50 […]
Neat analogy and from your personal unique experience
Interesting analogy.