(This post was in the top 5 in 2012, and rose to the #1 most read in 2016)
S. M. Lockridge (1913-2000) was a prominent African-American preacher known for his dynamic, passionate, and fervent sermons. His most famous sermon was “He’s my King.” Several years ago author and speaker Tony Campolo was so impressed by Lockridge’s lesson on “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s Coming!” that he began to deliver the lesson himself and even wrote a book with that title. Each Friday on ThePreachersWord we are going to share some aspect of death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that speak to this grand theme. You see, the narrative of Jesus crucifixion is one of betrayal. Denial. Cowardice. Envy. Hate. Brutality. Suffering. Despair. Defeat. Death.
Yet, Christians celebrate the cross because the story does not end on that fateful Friday. It does not end at the cross. The irony of the cross was the very instrument Jesus’ enemies used to defeat Him became His greatest victory. Little did they know when Friday ended what would happen on Sunday to change the course of the world’s history.
And so in the spirit of this theme, I want to share a part of that famous sermon by Lockridge. As you read this, just remember that regardless of what today brings. Regardless of today’s problems. Challenges. Or defeats. Just remember that Sunday’s coming! And that you will enjoy the privilege of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Communing with Him and fellow saints. And beginning a new week with renewed vision, vigor and vitality.
I know it’s Friday. But thanks be to God that Sunday’s coming!
It’s Friday. Jesus is praying. Peter’s a sleeping. Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. Pilate’s struggling. The council is conspiring. The crowd is vilifying. They don’t even know That Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The disciples are running Like sheep without a shepherd. Mary’s crying. Peter is denying. But they don’t know That Sunday’s a comin’.
It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robe him in scarlet. They crown him with thorns. But they don’t know That Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. See Jesus walking to Calvary. His blood dripping. His body stumbling. And his spirit’s burdened. But you see, it’s only Friday. Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The world’s winning. People are sinning. And evil’s grinning.
It’s Friday. The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands To the cross. They nail my Savior’s feet
To the cross. And then they raise him up Next to criminals. It’s Friday. But let me tell you something Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The disciples are questioning. What has happened to their King. And the Pharisees are celebrating That their scheming Has been achieved. But they don’t know It’s only Friday. Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. He’s hanging on the cross. Feeling forsaken by his Father. Left alone and dying
Can nobody save him? Ooooh It’s Friday. But Sunday’s comin’.
It’s Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark. My King yields his spirit. It’s Friday.
Hope is lost. Death has won. Sin has conquered. and Satan’s just a laughin’.
It’s Friday. Jesus is buried. A soldier stands guard. And a rock is rolled into place. But it’s Friday. It is only Friday. Sunday is a comin’!
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
What an uplifting sermon that must have been, and is today! Makes a person want to stand up and shout, with an arm raised heavenward, “Great God Almighty.. Halalulia! Sunday’s coming!”.
Thanks be to our God that Sunday was waiting for us when we arrived in this world. The promised Savior already risen, death due to sin already abolished, and our hope just awaiting our respnse to the Gospel call.
This will make a great daily application as we await each celebration on each first day of the week. What a help to remember that in spite of each discouragement, each disappoinment, victory is still to be ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks, Ken!
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Thank you, Bill. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. And for reading my blog. Great thoughts. Hope to see you soon.
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
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Hey Ken…. thanks for this …I needed it!
My mind took it in another direction as well….so… sharing my thoughts…
“You see, the narrative of Jesus crucifixion is one of betrayal. Denial. Cowardice. Envy. Hate. Brutality. Suffering. Despair. Defeat. Death. ”
As I read this I thought to myself……the narrative of Jesus crucifixtion is all about ….the most important word. LOVE! It’s all about LOVE….. when all those horrible negative things were thrown at him, he answered back with love….”Father, forgive them….they don’t know what they are doing….” He sees the whole picture, and sees us how we are…….(i.e. ignorant of the whole picture…blind) He knew something that they didn’t…He was saving them from themselves by allowing his blood to be shed. And he was Lord and God. “Hereby we perceive the love of God: because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 KJ21
Jesus said in John 15:13 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
but he also says in
Romans 5:7-9
21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
7For scarcely will one die for a righteous man, yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die.
8But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
So what I get out of those two passages is this…… man’s love can be awesome…in that he can be willing to sacrifice his life for his dear friends.
But God’s love is far greater still……because he has laid down his life for his enemies…..as well as his friends.
So if we have Christ dwelling in us and we are his children (John 12:36 & 1 Thess 5:5) ….we will exhibit the same love……the love of God.
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you,
Luke 6:27
“But I say unto you that hear: Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.
Luke 6:35
But love ye your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest; for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
One day I read this passage:
Acts 6:7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the PRIESTS were becoming obedient to the faith.
And it just jumped out at me….time had passed……Jesus was killed. But Peter continued on….preaching and healing in his name….(Acts 4) and people who previously had been enemies of Christ (many of the priests) were being converted to him (Acts 4:4) …..by his message of love and kindness.
(Romans 2:4
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?)
Yes, it made a lot of people angry, angry enough to kill those who were proclaiming the love of God to mankind (including to the Gentiles; that always seems to be the straw that broke the camels back with these people)…..they did despise the riches of his goodness…….But where are those people now? With THEIR father…no doubt.
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Thanks, Suzi! What great thoughts! I appreciate you sharing them, as well as reading my blog. Of course, every Friday, I will have a different aspect to focus on. So, I think the ideas you share will soon find there way into ThePreachersWord. Again, thanks, good to hear from you
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
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What happens on Saturday?? 🙂 Thanks for sharing this Ken.
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On Saturday, the enemies were still hating, those doubing were debating, The Phrasisees were celebrating, the apostles were deflating, Ah, but the BELIEVERS, they were AWAITING, because they knew SUNDAY’S COMING!
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
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Thanks, Ken…now I have to go get a kleenex and wipe tears and nose. Love ya, brother!
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Reblogged this on ThePreachersWord.
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Now if they would jus correct the error of it being on FRIDAY. It was on Wednesday because that was the only day that wasn’t a Sabbath or holy day that week (couldn’t be buried on those days) and 72 hours from Wednesday late afternoon makes the resurrection come on Saturday so Mary could come to the empty tomb on the “first day of the week” Mathematically and biblically it couldn’t have happened any other way. GET IT RIGHT AND CORRECT IT YE PREACHERS OF THE “TRUTH”
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