If you've ever spent much time in a church pew around Easter, you've definitely wondered who originally preached it friday but sunday's coming, because that refrain is just too iconic to forget. It's one of those messages that sticks to your ribs. Even if you aren't a regular churchgoer, there's a good chance you've heard a clip of it on YouTube or seen the text shared across social media every spring. The rhythmic delivery, the building tension, and the explosive hope of that single phrase—it's the kind of oratory that feels like it's been around forever.
But while many people associate the message with various famous pastors or motivational speakers, there is a very specific history behind it. It wasn't just a lucky catchphrase; it was a masterpiece of the African American preaching tradition that eventually crossed over into mainstream global consciousness.
The Man Behind the Message: S.M. Lockridge
The short answer to the question of who originally preached it is Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge. He was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, California, from 1953 to 1993. Lockridge was a giant in the world of homiletics, known for his incredible command of the English language and his ability to paint vivid, emotional pictures with his words.
While he's also famous for his "That's My King" sermon (which is another masterpiece of repetitive, rhythmic praise), "It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming" is perhaps his most enduring legacy. Lockridge didn't just say the words; he lived in them. The sermon itself is a deep dive into the events of Good Friday—the betrayal, the trial, the crucifixion, and the silence of the tomb. He'd list these heavy, dark moments and punctuate each one with the thunderous reminder: "It's Friday but Sunday's coming!"
It's a simple concept, but in Lockridge's hands, it became a powerful tool for resilience. He used the contrast between the despair of the crucifixion and the joy of the resurrection to speak to the broader human experience of suffering and hope.
How Tony Campolo Made It a Global Phenomenon
While Lockridge is the source, a lot of people first heard the message through Tony Campolo. Campolo is a well-known sociologist and preacher who tells a story about attending a service at a Black church where an older pastor (who we now know was Lockridge) delivered this sermon.
Campolo often tells the story of how he was asked to speak at a conference and followed this powerhouse preacher. He describes how Lockridge started softly, built up momentum, and eventually had the entire congregation shouting the refrain back at him. Campolo admits that his own polished, academic speech felt totally inadequate after such a raw and moving display of faith.
Because Campolo shared this story in his books and during his own speaking tours across the world, the "Friday/Sunday" motif blew up. It transitioned from a specific sermon in a San Diego church to a universal shorthand for Christian hope. It's a great example of how the oral traditions of the Black church have influenced the broader religious landscape, even when the original creators don't always get the immediate credit they deserve.
Why the Refrain Resonates So Deeply
There's something about the structure of "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming" that hits differently than a standard lecture. It taps into a fundamental human truth: things are bad right now, but they won't stay this way.
When Lockridge preached it, he wasn't just talking about a historical event from 2,000 years ago. He was talking to people who lived through the Jim Crow era, people who faced systemic injustice, and individuals dealing with personal grief. Friday represents the "now"—the pain, the bills that can't be paid, the sickness, and the feeling of being defeated. Sunday represents the "not yet"—the promise of renewal and the belief that the story isn't over.
The brilliance of the sermon is in its rhythm. In the African American preaching tradition, this is often called "whooping" or rhythmic oratory. It's not just about the information; it's about the feeling. The repetition of "It's Friday" grounds the listener in the reality of their struggle, while the "Sunday's coming" gives them the oxygen they need to keep breathing.
The Cultural Legacy of the Sermon
Since Lockridge first delivered those lines, they've taken on a life of their own. You'll find them on coffee mugs, T-shirts, and even as the titles of books. The phrase has become a bit of a meme in the best sense of the word—a shared cultural unit of meaning that conveys a complex theology in just five words.
It's Not Just for Easter
While it's most popular during Holy Week, the core message is used year-round. It's become a go-to phrase for anyone going through a "dark night of the soul." It's a reminder that the silence of the "Saturday" between the pain and the breakthrough is just a transition, not a destination.
Impact on Modern Worship
You can hear the echoes of Lockridge's style in modern worship music and contemporary preaching. The idea of building a crescendo around a repetitive, hopeful truth is a staple of modern church culture. Every time a worship leader tells a crowd that "joy comes in the morning," they're walking the path that Lockridge paved with his Friday/Sunday sermon.
Giving Credit Where It's Due
In the age of the internet, it's easy for things to become "homeless"—quotes that float around without an author. For a long time, "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming" was one of those. People knew the words, but they didn't know the man.
Recognizing S.M. Lockridge as the one who originally preached it is important. It honors a specific tradition of Black excellence in oratory that has shaped how millions of people understand their faith. Lockridge wasn't just a guy with a catchy line; he was a scholar and a devoted pastor who understood the power of language to heal and inspire.
A Message That Never Gets Old
Even though it's been decades since Lockridge first stood behind his pulpit and shouted those words, they don't feel dated. If anything, they feel more relevant than ever. In a world that often feels like a perpetual Friday—full of bad news and heavy burdens—the promise that "Sunday's coming" is a necessary anchor.
It's a reminder that we aren't defined by our worst days. The "Friday" of our lives is real, and it hurts, and it shouldn't be ignored. But it also isn't the final chapter. Whether you're looking at it through a religious lens or just a general human one, the idea that the sun will rise again is the most powerful story we have.
So, the next time you hear someone mention that Sunday is on the way, you'll know exactly who to thank. It was S.M. Lockridge, a man who knew that if you can just hold on through the darkness of Friday, the light of Sunday is inevitable. It's a simple truth, but honestly, those are usually the ones that change our lives the most.