Thank God For That Friday Series

1. It's Friday, But Sunday's Comin'

Dr. Tony Campolo once delivered a sermon entitled "It's Friday But Sunday's Comin'."

Campolo preached that sermon one Sunday at his home church in Philadelphia. It is primarily an African-American congregation. He said He was really preaching his heart out that particular Sunday, and the congregation really encouraged him.

After he finished preaching Campolo went over and sat down by the preacher 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 preacher preached one of the best sermons he has ever heard using the recurring phrase "It's Friday but Sunday's Comin'."

2. 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.'

3. Matthew 27.45-61

I. Some Events Leading to "Good Friday"

A. "Palm Sunday" or the "Triumphal Entry" -- Matthew 21.1-11

1. Palm Branches -- Patriotic Symbols -- Maccabean Revolt

2. "Hosanna" -- Save Us (from Rome)

3. Actually, this is the Lamb Selection Day for Passover (Exodus 12.3)

B. Setting Things Right -- the House Cleaning -- Matthew 21.12-17

1. Zechariah 9.9

2. Donkey and Colt in Matthew (the other three colt or young donkey)

3. Talmud: If the people are worthy, Messiah will come in the clouds as in Daniel 7.13. If the people are unworthy, Messiah will come on a donkey as in Zechariah 9.9.

4. Setting things in order in the temple -- house of prayer for the nations

C. The Last Supper and the Lord's Supper -- Matthew 26.17-29

1. Key lessons and predictions

2. LS -- remembrance of me;

D. Prayer in Gethsemane -- Matthew 26.36-46

E. Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion -- Matthew 26.47-27.56

1. Crucified at the third hour; death at the ninth hour -- times of prayer and sacrifice in the temple

2. Darkness at the ninth hour/noon

a. Lamb to be sacrificed at twilight -- Exodus 12.6; Leviticus 23.5

b. God brought the darkness to his Lamb

c. Colossians 1.13-14: 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

3. Veil torn in two and Earthquake-- 27.50-51

4. Resurrected Saints -- 27.52-53

F. Burial -- Matthew 27.57-61

II. Special Effects of "Good Friday" on the Disciples

A. The Disciples were:

1. Fearful -- Afraid to Show their Faces

a. The disciples lost Jesus

b. Peter lost his courage

2. The Disciples Were Hopeless

a. They had witnessed the death of their Messiah -- what would become of their cause?

b. Had they been abandoned by God as they thought Jesus had been?

c. Did they feel the weight of the world on their shoulders?

B. Maybe we Aren't so Different:

1. When we experience loss and grief

* We know it was temporary for them -- Sunday's coming

* Temporary for us -- Revelation 21.3-4

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

2. When we feel abandoned by God -- he has forgotten you and your needs

a. Truth -- He does not leave us -- Matthew 28.20

b. He does not neglect us -- Philippians 4.19

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

c. Be Courageous -- Deuteronomy 31.6

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.