Saturday, April 07, 2007

SUNDAY'S A COMIN'



As Easter Sunday draws near, it is only right that we consider the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. One of the best Easter sermon’s I’ve ever heard was by Dr. Tony Campolo. It still gives me goose bumps when I hear it.

He gave a sermon once about a little competition that he had with his senior pastor during services at their church. After Dr. Campolo preached what he thought was a great sermon, he sat down beside his pastor, patted him on the knee and said, “Top that.” The older black pastor looked at him and said, “Boy, now watch the master.” Tony relates how the older preacher got up and gave the following message that brought everybody to their feet in loud praise.

“It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s a coming.

It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. And at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming.

And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

Now it’s Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn’t the only thing that was shaking because now it’s Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it’s Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it’s Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.

It’s Sunday, and the crucified/resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It’s Sunday. And now everything has changed. It’s the age of grace, God’s grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it’s Sunday.”

Whatever you’re going through today, take hope in the fact that Jesus is ALIVE and coming soon.

It’s Friday! But Sunday’s a Coming!

15 comments:

Susan said...

I heard this sermon shortly after I became a Christian...it is FOREVER seared into my heart. Beautiful, Sandy, just beautiful!!

:-) Susan

Tammy said...

Great Post!!!!

Baba said...

Sandy, I have never heard of this before, but it is amazing and moving to read..Thanks. Baba

Betty said...

Sandy,
Thank you so much for this posting. I've never heard this sermon before but now I don't think I'll ever forget it, at least I hope I won't.

It goes along with 'this too shall pass.'

Have a blessed Easter......

Melli said...

WOW! I love it! And indeed... Sunday's coming!

Grandparents Corner said...

What an awesome and glorious picture of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing this beautiful sermon.

The post about remembering my daughter who passed away is up on Saturday, April 7th, but it was late when I got it up as I had a migraine. In fact, I had no idea, but I published my draft which made not alot of sense as I wrote part of it with a migraine and it sounded like goo goo ga ga talk of a baby. I hope if you have a moment, you will stop by and also share with anyone else who might like to hear. She was a loving daughter.

Easter blessings to you and your family today!

Bonnie @
Grandparents Corner

Akelamalu said...

Happy Easter to you and yours.

Carole Burant said...

Hi Sandy:-) Just a quick visit to wish you and yours a very Happy Easter:-) I have my boys and Wendy here this weekend so it's been busy! xoxo

Lazy Daisy said...

Aren't we glad that Sunday did come! Wish I was having Easter dinner with you and Mike. Miss ya!

Jane said...

That is a wonderful sermon. I have heard it before, but it is always exciting. Sunday did come and what a difference it made for us all.
Happy Easter.

Nancy said...

He lives, and Sunday came. Blessings to you and Happy Easter!

Anonymous said...

Stopping by to wish you a Happy Easter. Take care and God bless.

Hootin Anni said...

I hope you had a wonderful, peaceful holiday.

I saw a "I heart flip flops" online yesterday and wondered if you'd mind if I made you a little graphic for your sidebar?

Just let me know.

Heart of Rachel said...

Hi Sandy. Hope you had a lovely Easter celebration with your loved ones. Sorry wasn't able to greet you yesterday. I was out with the family the whole day. I have so many lovely things to share on my blog soon. For now, I have to visit some more blog friends before posting on my blog.

Take care and God bless.

Hootin Anni said...

I found it on a site that sells "metal signs" ---you know, like the old-fashioned metal signs that used to hang on exteriors of buildings and such? ---And when I saw it, I grabbed it, thinking of you all the time.

I swear, when I walk by places that sell flip flops I always have you come to mind. *smiles*

[I never thought of photobucket]