Category Archives: It’s Friday. But Sunday’s Coming!

April 10, 2020 · 7:32 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Dispelling Darkness

S. M. Lockridge (1913-2000) was a prominent African-American preacher known for his dynamic, passionate, and fervent sermons. One of his fiery lessons was “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming!”

In the early days of our blogging we wrote a column with that title. For two years we looked at the narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion to see the drastic change in people’s lives and the world’s history from six hours that Friday to  very early Sunday morning.

Friday was a metaphor for betrayal. Denial. Cowardice. Hate. Suffering. Despair. Defeat. And death. But Sunday symbolized victory. Help. Hope. Healing. Love. Joy. And eternal life. Continue reading →

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August 25, 2017 · 5:25 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Three Views of Three Crosses

Crosses.  You see them everywhere.  On houses of worship.  On grave markers. As ornate pieces of jewelry worn as a necklace, bracelet or even earrings.

We celebrate the cross. We glamorize it.  We even romanticize it. We all know what it means.  It’s the symbol of Christianity. It represents salvation. It reminds us of Jesus.  Continue reading →

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December 31, 2016 · 5:09 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! A Tribute to Jesus’ Victory

(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.  Continue reading →

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August 26, 2016 · 5:19 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus

 Fix Eyes on Jesus

Helen Lemmel was a gifted British-born concert soloist and music teacheer at Moody Bible Institute who wrote the words and music Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

In part the hymn implores: Continue reading →

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August 19, 2016 · 5:14 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! He was Dead. Now He’s Alive!

After six grueling hours of vicious taunts, mental torture and physical torment, Jesus cried with a loud voice, breathed his last breath and “yielded His Spirit.”  The centurion  guards standing by saw he was dead.  Continue reading →

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December 11, 2015 · 5:19 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! An Exhortation From Gethsemane

Jesus.Gethsename2

It was the beginning of 3 days that these 3 men would never forget. Never.

The hour was late. Much had happened. The last supper. Prideful posturing. Washing feet. Judas’ departure. And the ensuing walk across the Kedron valley with Jesus teaching. Encouraging. Comforting. Promising.

Peter, James, and John are invited to walk a little father, as Jesus entered into prayer to the Father.

Struggle. Sorrow. Supplication. These words describe Jesus’ emotions in Gethsemane’s garden as Thursday turned into Friday. Continue reading →

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November 27, 2015 · 5:48 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Black Friday

 Black Friday

Today is dubbed as “Black Friday.” According to Wikipedia the term originally began in Philadelphia to “describe the heavy and disruptive  vehicle traffic that would occur the day after Thanksgiving.”

In more recent years “Black Friday” describes the busiest shopping day of the year. It’s a day when retailers open early and close late. It refers to businesses who’ve been operating “in the red”, now turning a profit and operating “in the black.” Continue reading →

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November 20, 2015 · 6:27 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Christ–The Power of God

Cross.Tomb.Darkness.Light

Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Pontus Pilate asked Jesus at His trial.

The power in Jesus’ day resided in Rome. Everyone knew it. Their empirical rule reached across the known world. The power was evident in their army. Their outposts of culture. Their massive building programs. Their roads. And, of course, their ruler. He was Pontifex Maximus. Continue reading →

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November 13, 2015 · 6:59 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! The Suffering Servant’s Victory

Jesus.Collage

I occasionally eat at a Wendy’s for lunch. It’s close to my office. I like their burger better than other chains. Plus they give me free drinks! But I’m often reminded of their founder, the late Dave Thomas. Remember his commercials? He was affable. Humble. And just down-to-earth.

Once Thomas was asked what made him so successful. His answer? “My MBA!” But he didn’t mean a graduate degree in business education. He called it a “mop and bucket attitude.” For him no task was too menial. He simply rolled up his sleeves and joined in to get the job done. Great leaders are like that. Continue reading →

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November 6, 2015 · 5:39 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Unity in the Cross

Cross.UnityMy good friend, Ralph Walker, recently gave me a book by Mark Templer entitled The Cross of the Savior. I’ve just begun to read it, but it looks very good. The back cover promises “a fresh perspective on the cross of Jesus.”

“The message of the cross was perplexing to Jews and Gentiles alike–a scandalous stumbling block to the Jews and a meaningless act of self-sacrifice to the Gentiles,” writes Templer. “But to us as Christians it is power and wisdom of God, the focal point of our faith. It is the light that shines in our darkest night. It is the hope that keeps us sane when all are losing their heads. It is our lifeline when we are drowning in the muck. It is our only hope in a dark and sinful world.” Continue reading →

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