Saturday, March 29, 2008

It's Friday, But Sunday's A-Comin'

I heard Tony Campolo tell this story on an audio taped sermon years ago. I have never forgotten it. When I googled the phrase, I found Tony's Story, which I cut and pasted here.

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tony Campolo tells the story of an African American Baptist preacher in the inner city of Philadelphia who preached a sermon Tony says he'll never forget. Tony preached first. He was "hot," so "hot" he says, that he even stopped and listened to himself. He sat down and said to his pastor: "Now see if you can top that one!" "Son," said the African American pastor, "you ain't seen nothin' yet." For an hour and a half the pastor repeated these words over and over again: "It's Friday, but Sunday's a comin'."

"I've never heard anything like it," Tony said. "He the cross. He's dying the agonizing death of crucifixion as a criminal. just kept saying it. The congregation was spellbound by the power of it."



"It's Friday. Mary, Jesus' mother is crying her eyes out. That's her son up there on the cross. But it's only Friday," the preacher said. "Sunday's a comin'.

"The apostles were really down and out. Jesus, their leader, was being killed by evil men. But it was only Friday. Sunday is a comin'.

"The Devil thought he had won. 'You thought you could outwit me,' he said, 'but I've got you now.' But it was only Friday. Sunday is a comin'."

"He went on like that for 30 minutes, 40 minutes, an hour. Each time he said, 'It's Friday,' the crowd began to respond, 'but Sunday's comin'. An hour and 15 minutes.

"It's Friday and evil has triumphed over good. Jesus is dying up there on the cross. The world is turned upside down. This shouldn't happen. But it's only Friday. Sunday's a comin'.

"It's Friday. But Sunday is comin'. Mary Magdalene was out of her mind with grief. Her Lord was being killed. Jesus had turned her life from sin to grace. Now he was dead. But it's only Friday. Sunday is a comin'."

The place was rocking. For an hour and a half. "Friday! But Sunday is a comin'. Friday. But Sunday is a comin'. "The sisters and the brothers are suffering. It just isn't fair...all they have to go through, but it's only Friday. Sunday is comin'."

"I was exhausted," Tony said. "It was the best sermon I've ever heard. The old preacher was saying it and the people were with him. 'It's Friday, but Sunday is a comin'. It was powerful," Tony said. "It was personal."

Friends, whatever you are facing at the moment may seem like Friday, perhaps even a "Good Friday." But be certain of this, while it may be Friday, Sunday is a comin'!

IT'S FRIDAY!!



BUT SUNDAY'S A-COMIN'!!


22 comments:

j said...

I'm Shoutin' here in Alabama "Sundays a comin'!!!!"

Fantastic post Dawn. This is the best that I have seen about Good Friday and Easter! Wonderful!

Jennifer

j said...

I did a post linking to you and this post. I hope lots of people see this today!!!

Jennifer

Karen H. said...

Good Early Morning Dawn,
"PRAISE GOD" it may be Friday, but Sunday is a coming!!!! I have chills all over me from just reading this. This is so powerful and I've never heard or read anything like this before on Easter. "THANK YOU" so much for sharing it with us. I wish you and your Family a very Blessed and Happy Easter. I know it will be a special one now that the twins are here. Take care my friend and have a great day/weekend. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Amen and amen! Happy Easter, Dawn.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Mimi said...

wow what a powerful post...
It made me cry with joy...
have a blessed and Happy Easter
and enjoy those babies...and big girls...and bigger boy...
Love,
Mimi

Hootin Anni said...

Dawn....I LOVE this!!!! I've never heard nor read anything like this before. It is truly an amazing share you've found for us. Thank you.

I did a Friday Show N Tell this week [I know it's been canceled, but I wanted to show off a prize I won and sent to me by one of our Show N Tell players ---it's Easter themed!! Drop by if you can? I'd love to have you visit. And have a great holiday weekend]

Needled Mom said...

Simply beautiful post, Dawn. Wishing you a blessed Easter with your family.

Robin said...

I LOVE this story! Thanks Dawn for sharing it today. Sunday is a comin! Whoo HOO!
Have a Blessed Blessed Resurrection Sunday!

groovyoldlady said...

Amen and amen and AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susie said...

Very uplifting post! Have a blessed Easter my friend :)
xo

Chris said...

Well said!

Brenda said...

Hi Dawn, I found your blog via Jennifer-Dust Bunny Hostage.
Just today I was think about this same message I heard years ago and how 'It's Friday but Sunday's comin' stuck in our hearts. And then I come over here and there it is! Thanks for sharing that.
Happy Easter.

kpjara said...

Very cool!

Nadine said...

Great post. Wonderful reminder.

Have a Happy Easter with your family.

Rose of Sharon said...

Very beautiful and touching. Thank you.

Happy Easter! He is risen!!!

Sharon

Nancy said...

Thanks for checking on me. It has just been very busy with a lot of fun stuff going on. I hope to get back in a week or so. Thanks for being patient with me.

Mike Golch said...

Dawn,Jennifer over at the dustbunnyhostage site said to come visit you. All I can say to this posting is Praise God and Amen. I hope that you and all of your family have a blessed easter!

Sharon Lynne said...

I'm very very glad that Sundays Coming!

Thanks...I'll remember to say that phrase outloud to the walls of our home...for the principalities and powers that may be listening!

Deb said...

Not sure what path took me here tonight or well perhaps we do know ;O) but I'm so glad I did Thanks for this post! I love it!
Happy Easter
Sunday is a coming!

Rita Loca said...

Amen!

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Dawn,
I just wanted to drop by and wish you and your Family a "HAPPY EASTER" and "HE IS RISEN"!!!! I know you will be enjoying the time today with them precious twins. Take care my friend and have a great Easter. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Barb said...

This is a beautiful post, Dawn. Happy Easter Sunday to you and your family.