It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Sunday
~Written and performed by: Tree63 ~

(Although we are now suffering in this temporal world, eternity and its glory is coming!)

Behind the Song:
“This song was originally titled “Friday (but Sunday is coming),” from the title of the well-known sermon and book by Tony Campolo. Its verses deal with the dark realities of our world, where the Friday of Jesus’ crucifixion acts as a metaphor for our experiences of those realities. As the Gospel stories clearly show, Friday happens, but Sunday is inevitable. Sunday is the resurrection, the day when all our meager hopes and wildest dreams come true, the day we as believers look forward to despite our present condition. This is a “hang in there” song; Sunday is not so far away!” – John Ellis (Tree 63)

Lyrics:
Nothing’s sacred, the days are cheap;
Truth is thin on the ground…
Still our prophets are crucified,
nobody believes: we’re stumbling…
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Someone’s saying a prayer tonight
for hungry mouths to be filled.
Someone kneels in the dark somewhere,
and darkness is already crumbling…
It’s Friday, but Sunday comes!

Sunday – Hallelujah! – it’ s not so far, it’s not so far away…
Sunday – Hallelujah! – it’s not so far, it’s not so far away!

Broken promises, weary hearts,
but one promise remains:
Crucified, He will come again!
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming;
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Chorus

2 Corinthians 4:8-18
8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  14  Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Glorious day

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises, (Luke 2:13)
one day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin: (Luke 1:26-38)
dwelt among men, my example is He. (John 1:14)
The Word became flesh and the light shined among us:
His glory revealed!

Living, He loved me (John 15:12)
Dying, He saved me; (Romans 5:9-10)
Buried, He carried my sins far away! (Micah 7:19, Isaiah 38:17)
Rising, He justified freely forever… (Romans 5:1)
One day He’s coming – (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day!

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain, (Luke 23:33)
one day, they nailed Him to die on a tree… (1 Peter 2:24)
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected, (Isaiah 53:3)
bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He! (1 Peter 1:18-19, Job 19:25)
The Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree…
(Matthew 8:2-3, Matthew 9:28-30, Matthew 20:32-34)
He took the nails for me! (Romans 5:8)

Chorus

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
one day the stone rolled away from the door… (John 20:1)
Then He arose over death He had conquered: (1 Corinthians 15:54 & 57)
now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore! (Hebrews 10:12, 1 Peter 3:22)
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
from rising again!

Chorus

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming; (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
One day the skies with His glories will shine! (Acts 1:11)
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine…

~ Written by:  Mark Hall & Michael Bleecker
Performed by:  Casting Crowns
Album:  Until the whole world hears ~

Romans 8

31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  32  He that spared not His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.  34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us.  35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36  As it is written, “For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Heavenly Perspective

Colossians 3
1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  4  When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

Hebrews 12
1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3  For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

2 Corinthians 4
16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  (See also 2 Corinthians 5:7  “For we walk by faith, not by sight…”)

Hebrews 11
8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.
13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 13
14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.  15  By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.

John 14
1  “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  2  In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”  5  Thomas saith unto Him, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”  6  Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

2 Peter 3
11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  13  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Titus 2
11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  14  Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Romans 8
24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

1 Peter 2
19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  20  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps…

1 Peter 5
7  Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.  8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  10  But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Matthew 6
31  “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

1 Timothy 6
6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Philippians 3
7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9  And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  10  That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death…

See also http://www.shepherd.to/heaven/contents/How_live.htm

Wish

For just a moment, I wish I could have been there
to see Your first step, hear Your very first word…
Tell me, did You ever fall and scrape Your knee?
Did You know Your wounds would one day heal the world?  (Isaiah 53:3-9)

For just one moment, I wish I could have seen You growing,
learning the ways of a carpenter’s son.  (Mark 6:1-6)
Just a little Boy gazing at the stars,
did You remember creating every one?  (Psalm 8:3-4, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 147:4)

If You passed by, would I have seen a Child or a King?
Would I have known?

I wish I could have been there
my only wish is to see You, face to Face!
Wish I could have been there
just to see You, Jesus, face to Face…

For just a moment, I wish I could have been there
when You left Your footprints upon the waves (Matthew 14:25)
To walk along beside You and never look away,
just Your whisper and the wind and sea obey (Mark 4:39)

To see You feed the people (Matthew 14:19-20, Matthew 15:36-37)
To feel Your healing in Your touch (Luke 6:19, Luke 22:50-51)

I wish I could have been there
My only wish is to see You, face to Face!
Wish I could have been there
Just to see You, Jesus, face to Face…

To hear You pray in the garden alone:  (Matthew 26:36-44, Mark 14:32-40)
laying down Your will with each tear…
To see You walk that lonely road
willing to die for me…
(John 11:49-52, Romans 6:23)

And in that moment I know I should have been there –
You took my cross and gave Your life…
And you live again, oh and You live again!  (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 & John 20)

Wish I could have been there
my only wish is to see You rise again!
Wish I could have been there
my only wish is to see You, Jesus, face to Face

Someday I’ll be there, I’m gonna be there:
I’ll see Your Face, Your mercy, Your grace…
Someday, someday I’m going to see You, Jesus, face to Face (Ephesians 1:10, Revelation 21:3)

~ Performed by:  Brian Littrell
Album:  Welcome Home (2006)

Written by:  Joy Elizabeth Williams, Jason McArthur, Robert Douglas Graves ~

More than conquerors

When my hope and strength is gone,
You’re the One Who calls me on –
You are the Life, You are the fight that’s in my soul…

Oh, Your resurrection power
burns like fire in my heart;
When waters rise I lift my eyes up to Your throne.

We are more than conquerors, through Christ
You have overcome this world, this life
We will not bow to sin or to shame
We are defiant in Your Name
You are the fire that cannot be tamed
You are the power in our veins
Our Lord, our God, our Conqueror

I will sing into the night:
Christ is risen and on high!
Greater is He living in me than in the world!

No surrender, no retreat:
we are free and we’re redeemed!
We will declare over despair: You are the hope!

Chorus

Nothing is impossible;
Every chain is breakable:
With You, we are victorious

You are stronger than our hearts;
You are greater than the dark:
With You, we are victorious

~ Written and performed by: Rend Collective ~

Romans 8:37
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

1 John 4:4
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the end

Can’t catch a break…
You’ve had your fill of old clichés
like “Life is hard but God is good…”
And even though it’s true,
It won’t stop what you’re going through –
I wish that I could say it would!

But He’s outside of what you feel;
It might not make sense,
But one day it will –

There’s coming a day (that) the sun will always shine,
He’s gonna wipe away every tear from your eyes
Hold on my brother, things are gonna better,
You’re gonna smile again,
‘Cause we win in the end!

You’re standing still:
Life has handed you a bitter pill;
Once again you’re on your face,
You’ve got questions,
Plenty of secret confessions..
Wondering if you’ve run out of grace?

But He’s outside of what you feel;
This life is just a moment,
But our forever is sealed!

There’s coming a day (when) the sun will always shine,
He’s gonna wipe away every tear from your eyes
Hold on my brother, things are gonna better,
You’re gonna smile again,
‘Cause we win in the end!

It won’t be about streets of gold, pearly gates,
Harps and wings, diamond lakes;
All I know is that He’s gonna hold you, hold me…
Heartache will disappear,
Questions will become clear,
Life will all make sense in the end!

Chorus

Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory hallelujah
We win in the end

~ By:  Natalie Grant ~

2 Corinthians 4

14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.   15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.   16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Faithful One

I find no hope within to call my own
For I am frail of heart, my strength is gone
But deep within my soul is rising up a song
Here in the comfort of the Faithful One

I walk a narrow road through valleys deep
In search of higher ground, on mountains steep
And though with feet unsure, I still keep pressing on
For I am guided by the Faithful One.

Faithful, faithful to the end,
My true and precious Friend,
You have been faithful,
Faithful, so faithful to me

I see Your wounded hands, I touch Your side
With thorns upon Your brow You bled and died
But there’s an empty tomb, a love for all who come
And give their hearts to you, the Faithful One

Faithful, faithful to the end,
My true and precious Friend,
You have been faithful,
Faithful, so faithful to me

And when the day is dawned and when the race is run
I will bow down before God’s only Son
And I will lift my hands in praise for all You’ve done
And I will worship You, my Faithful One

~ Performed by: Selah
Written by:  B.G. White & C.N. Eaton ~

I’ll always stand for You

Jesus I stand for You
No matter what You lead me through
They will chase me out
And close me down
But Jesus I’ll stand for You

I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand
I’ll always stand for You
In all this world
You’re all that’s True
I’ll always stand for You

Jesus I’ve stood my ground
When unbelief was all around
I have felt the sting rejection brings
But Jesus I’ll still stand for You

Chorus

The time will come when everyone
Will turn their eyes on the risen Son
Until that day this world will turn away
And so I’ll take Your hand
I’ll always stand for You

Guilty of disgrace
But You took my place
So Jesus I’ll always stand for You

Chorus

~ Written by:  John Ellis
Performed by:  Tree63 ~

Ephesians 6:13
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

How deep the Father’s love for us

How deep the Father’s love for us!  How vast beyond all measure –
that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss – the Father turns His face away,
as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross:  my sin upon His shoulders…
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything – no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?  I cannot give an answer…
But this I know with all my heart – His wounds have paid my ransom.

~ Music & Lyrics by:  Stuart Townend (1995) ~

Romans 6 – Dead unto sin, alive unto God

Romans 6

1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:6 & 11