It’s Friday, But Sunday is Coming TEXT: Matthew 24:45-54 INTRODUCTION 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?  Oaaaah,  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  laughing,     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’!   • 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.’ • On Friday Things looked bad, really bad! o On Friday The Disciples faith was so weak most of them were afraid to show their faces in public. o On Friday Pilate delivered Jesus over to the Romans soldiers, who took turns beating, whipping and scourging him unmercifully. o 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. o On Friday they stripped Jesus of all of his clothing and dignity and nailed him to the cross like a common Criminal. o 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.” o On Friday the sins of the world were weighing heavy on Jesus. o 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!” o On Friday Jesus was not only crucified but was humiliated in every way possible. o 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. o 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! o On Sunday God demonstrated the fact that He had not abandoned Jesus on the cross by raising Him from the Dead. o 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.” o 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. o 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. o 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. • 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. o But let me remind you that the Bible teaches us that the pain and separation you are going through today is not permanent. o 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. o 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.” • 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." o Jesus promised that He would be with us Even until the end of the Age. o 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.” • It’s Friday for Some of you here today because like the Disciples you are discouraged and are plagued with a since of hopelessness. o Everywhere you look you see evidence that Satan and the

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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 coming! 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.

• It’s Friday for some of you here today because you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. o Pressures from work or home may be weighing you down. o Maybe it’s a financial problem or an issue with your health, or the health of someone you love. o Perhaps you feel helpless and powerless to do anything about your situation. o 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 coming.” o 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. o 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: o I try to hold on to this world with everything I have o But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab o The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth, o That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew o But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings o That there will be a place with no more suffering o There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears o 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 Coming” • And Believe me it’s closer than most of us believe. Resurrection  Poem     It  was  midnight  on  a  Saturday,  when  the  announcement  was  made.       They  were  having  Jesus  funeral,  outside  his  garden  grave.     So  great  was  the  crowd  that  gathered,  in  that  dark  and  lonely  place.   As  they  told  of  the  greatness  of  Jesus,  a  look  of  loss  on  each  face.   Tears  filled  the  eyes  of  many,  others  were  seized  by  fear.   If  He  was  who  He  claimed  he  was,  then,  how’d  He  wind  up  here?     All  I  know  is  I  could  not  see,  Bartemaus  cried  aloud.   Then  Jesus  opened  my  blinded  eyes,  a  hush,  covered  the  crowd.   I  was  caught  in  the  act  of  adultery,  when  they  threw  me  at  His  feet,     Mary  cried,  All  I  know  is  that  He  showed  real  mercy,  to  me.     I  only  had  a  picnic  lunch,  I  heard  a  small  voice  say.  

Jesus  blessed  the  five  loaves  and  two  small  fish,  and  made  an  all  you  can   eat  buffet.   On  and  on  they  just  kept  coming  with  amazing  stories  to  tell.   Like  the  woman  who  was  forever  changed,  she  met  Jesus  at  the  well.     Hey  let  me  tell  you  my  story,  Lazarus  loudly  said,   Jesus  gave  life  back  to  me,  and  I  know  I  was  dead.   On  and  on  they  just  kept  coming,  so  great  was  His  fame.   If  they  think  they  can  hold  Him  he  someone  said,  They’re  all  insane.     Then  all  at  once  the  place  got  quiet,  except  for  a  hideous  sound.   Laughing,  Satan  himself  showed  up,  just  mocked,  pacing  up  and  down.   Fools,  all  of  you,  I  heard  Satan  cry.   Your  God  is  dead  and  buried,  you  all  saw  Him  die.     Then  like  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  then  in  walked  the  Holy  Ghost.   Satan  took  two  steps  back,  trembling,  surrounded  by  a  heavenly  host.   Why  are  you  here,  Satan  screamed,  when  the  Holy  Ghost  turned  abrupt.   The  Master  left  a  wake  up  call  with  the  Father,  I’m  just  here  to  wake  Him   up.     When  should  I  move  the  stone,  Michael  the  angel  of  war  asked.   When  you  see  the  sun  rise  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  then  you  can  do  the  task.   Watch  the  stone  Satan  cried,  demons  filled  the  place,  over  my  dead  body   will  he  ever  rise,     The  Holy  Ghost  said,  whatever  it  takes.     Then  the  first  ray  of  sunshine  broke  through  with  morning  light,   What  happened  next  was  awesome,  and  amazing,  and  such  a  glorious   sight.   With  just  a  little  push  Michael  rolled  the  stone  away.   On  the  cold  hard  slab  of  death,  there  the  body  of  Jesus  lay.     Demons  tried  to  hold  Him  down,  death  straddled  His  chest.   Hold  Him  fast,  Satan  screamed,  Death  replied,  I’m  doing  my  best.   Then  a  demon  screaked,  I  saw  Him  move,   Another  cried  It’s  true,  I  don’t  think  we  can  hold  Him  here  we’re  doing   all  we  can  do.    

It  was  such  an  amazing  thing  to  see,  Death  itself  giving  birth.   As  the  morning  sun  came  up,  thunder  rolled,  a  quake  shook  the  earth.   Oh  my  God,  I  heard  Death  say,  as  Jesus  opened  up  His  eyes.   You  should  have  seen  the  look  on  ole  Death’s  face,  when  Jesus  said   You’ve  got  that  right.     It  showed  on  Satan’s  face,  as  with  fear  his  heart  was  seized.   Satan  trembled  and  demons  ran,  as  Jesus  shook  the  keys.   Ole  Death  where  is  your  victory,  Ole  Death  where  is  your  sting?   As  all  of  hell  was  shakin’,  all  of  heaven  began  to  sing.     You  could  hear  the  applause  of  heaven,  as  God  Himself  rose  from  the   throne.   Old  Death  had  been  defeated,  and  there  was  a  celebration  going  on.   So  I  guess  this  funeral  is  over,  He’s  no  longer  in  the  ground.   Jesus  rose  with  great  power,  proving  you  can’t  keep  a  good  man  down.     So  with  a  great  ovation  of  praise,  lift  your  voice  and  shout.   Satan  has  lost  the  battle,  and  of  that  there  is  no  doubt.   Now  let  all  the  earth  rejoice,  and  all  creation  sing.   Jesus  is  alive  and  well,  and  forever  the  King  of  Kings.