Introduction: What a difference a few days make. This time of the year a few days can make a big difference. It can be 75 or 80 degrees on one day and a couple of days later it could be in the 30’s or 40’s.
On January 19th, 2008 President George W. Bush was the leader of the Free World and arguably one of the most powerful men in the world. But a day later when President Obama was inaugurated George W. Bush got on a plane to TX and like in some of those old black and white westerns Bush flew into the sunset and hasn’t been heard from since.
In the case of Jesus a few days made a drastic difference. On Palm Sunday the people of Israel welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with shouts of Hosanna, and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” But only a few days later many of these same people were shouting ‘crucify him.’
While I was in Seminary I heard Dr. Tony Campolo deliver a sermon entitled “It’s Friday But Sunday’s comin.” I don’t remember much about the sermon except the title. But a few years ago I got on the Internet and actually found it and listened to it again.
To my surprise the Title didn’t really have much to do with the main message of the sermon, which dealt the fact that the gospel of Jesus Christ is capable of meeting all of our needs.
The Title of the message came from the closing illustration that Campolo used in the sermon where he tells about preaching in his home church in Philadelpha, Pennsylvania, which by the way is an African American Church. He said He was really preaching his heart out that particular Sunday, and the brothers and sisters were really encouraging him, if you know what I mean.
After he finished preaching Campolo went over and sat down by his pastor and said something like “bet you can’t top that” to which the elderly Black Minister said, “boy, just look, listen and learn.” Campolo said for the next hour and a half his pastor preached one of the best sermons he has ever heard using the recurring phrase “It’s Friday but Sunday’s comin.”
Well I may not do it justice this morning, but I want to use that phrase as the basis for my message this morning and I assure you it won’t last an hour and a half.
On Friday Things looked bad, really bad!
1. On Friday The Disciples faith was so weak most of them were afraid to show their faces in public.
2. On Friday Pilate delivered Jesus over to the Romans soldiers, who took turns beating, whipping and scourging him unmercifully.
3. On Friday they made him carry his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem and the people who lined the sides of the road cursed and spat on him.
4. On Friday they stripped Jesus of all of his clothing and dignity and nailed him to the cross like a common Criminal.
5. On Friday the Roman soldiers made fun of him and put a sign over his head that said “This is Jesus, The King of the Jews.”
6. On Friday the sins of the world were weighing heavy on Jesus.
7. On Friday it appeared as if God had abandoned His only Begotten Son. Jesus Himself said, “My God my God why have you forsaken me!”
8. On Friday Jesus was not only crucified but was humiliated in every way possible.
9. On Friday Darkness covered the land and The Prince of Darkness couldn’t have been more pleased because he believed he had won a great victory by killing the Son of God.
10. On Friday they took Jesus off the cross and laid him in a borrowed tomb and all the Hopes and dreams of his disciples were buried with him.
But that was Friday! When Sunday morning arrived everything changed!
1. On Sunday God demonstrated the fact that He had not abandoned Jesus on the cross by raising Him from the Dead.
2. On Sunday Jesus walked out of the tomb with His head held high knowing that He had finished the job that His Heavenly Father had sent Him to do.
Paul wrote about this in the second chapter of Philippians when He said…, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, endured the cross.”
3. On Sunday Jesus’ resurrection demonstrated that Satan had not defeated Him, but instead Jesus had won the Victory over Satan as well as Sin, Death and the Grave.
This is what the Apostle Paul was talking about in 1 Thessalonians 15:51-57, when He said,…..When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
And I personally believe one day very soon, Jesus will come again and set the stage for Satan’s final defeat.
4. On Sunday, when Jesus appeared to His Disciples their faith was strengthened and they would never be the same again. On Friday they were afraid of their own shadows, but on Sunday their faith made them strong and courageous.
5. On Sunday, The Light of The World dispelled the Darkness that had covered the Land since Friday, giving His disciples a renewed since of hope and purpose.
Now what does all of this mean to us today?
Well………., in some respects even though it’s been 2000 years since Jesus rose from the Dead, it’s still Friday.
1. It’s Friday for Some of you here this morning because like the Disciples you have recently lost someone you love and you are overcome with grief.
But let me remind you that the Bible teaches us that the pain and separation you are going through today is not permanent. The Bible tells us that we will be reunited with our loved ones who have gone on before us, and all of us who have put our faith and trust in him will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
In Revelation 21:3 the Apostle John put it this way, He said: “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
2. It’s Friday for Some of you here this morning because you feel abandoned by God. You feel like He’s forgotten your name and your needs.
If that’s how you feel this morning then I’ve got good news for you this morning… “It may be Friday but Sunday’s coming!”
God has not abandoned you any more than He abandoned Jesus Christ. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified….for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Jesus promised that He would be with us Even until the end of the Age and The Apostle Paul also reminded us in Philippians 4:19 that “God will meet all of our needs according to His Glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
3. It’s Friday for Some of you here today because like the Disciples you are discouraged and are plagued with a since of hopelessness.
Everywhere you look you see evidence that Satan and the forces of Evil are wreaking havoc on the earth and even on the church. It’s Darker than it’s ever been and seems to be getting darker every day. I know how you feel and it’s easy to get discouraged but I’ve got good news for you this morning. It may be Friday, and Satan may still be free to do as he pleases on the earth but I assure you that Sunday’s comin!
There will be a day in the not too distant future where Satan will get what’s coming to Him. The Bible teaches that on that Day, Jesus will throw Satan and all of His followers into the Lake of Fire that has been prepared for Him since the beginning of time.
5. It’s Friday for some of you here today because you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
Pressures from work or home may be weighing you down. Maybe it’s a financial problem or an issue with your health, or the health of someone you love. Perhaps you feel helpless and powerless to do anything about your situation. It may be bothering you so much that you have trouble sleeping at night.
If that’s how you feel this morning I’ve got good news for you, “It may be Friday, but Sunday’s comin.”
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
In one of my favorite passages of Scripture the Apostle Paul reminds us that we shouldn’t worry or be anxious about anything. In Phil 4:6-7 he says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7
We serve a God who is All Powerful and it doesn’t matter what problem or situation you are facing today He can handle it if you will simply trust Him to do it in His Time and in His way.
Conclusion: A couple of years ago a Contemporary Christian Singer and Songwriter came out with a song entitled: “There will be a day.” I want to share the first verse and chorus with you in closing today. It goes like this:
I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings,
and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, and we’ll see Jesus face to face.
Yes, It’s Friday….But Believe Me Sunday’s Comin”
And Believe me it’s closer than most of us believe.
