A Coat Of Many Colors - Introduction Series

This is an introduction to a series of sermons on the coat of many colors – Free Power point is available through E-Mail retssi@bellsouth.net

Several Illustrations, points, and the main idea for this series of sermons dealing with the coat of many colors was from James May’s sermon, “A Coat Of Many Colors.” Also Several Illustrations and points came from Gerald Flury’s sermon, “Three Coats,” and many other resources were used to help compile this series! Depending on how or if you break up the different colors, it could take about 12 to 16 weeks to cover the material.

This can be used for Sunday School, Sunday night, or like I did, use it to boost the mid week service. Some of the colors can be broken up into two lessons! Have yourself a coat of many colors made and wear it, I did and they loved it! I hope this series will be a blessing to you and your congregation!

A Coat of Many Colors – Intro Sermon To The Series:

If you were to take the word coats and research the Bible you will find that it is mentioned a number of times.

Some of the more familiar ones are:

*God made Adam and Eve coats of skins after their fall in the garden.

*Elisha desired the mantle or coat of Elijah, which was used in performing many miracles.

*Probably the most famous and familiar of all coats in the bible would have been the coat of many colors which was given to Joseph by his dad. Sunday School at its best!

Let us read the text for today:

Genesis 37:1-3 (KJV) 1 And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

I believe it is important for us to start with some background information

The fact is this, that Jacob, now called Israel, really cared and loved all of his children.

As a father He provided for his children, and as most fathers should do, he spent time with each of his sons and his daughters, training them to be successful in life.

I believe that He taught them about God and the importance of being respectful to God and His ways. There were probably days that he would sit around the dinner table and tell them the story’s of his personal encounters with God, especially at what took place at Bethel.

But you know, you can do everything you are suppose to as a parent teaching and training your kids proper way and they will still disappoint you.

According to God’s Word Jacob had two wives, Rachel and Leah, and two concubines named Bilhah and Zilpah.

Things were quite different in those days and men were allowed to have multiple wives and concubines. It was actually his two wives who convinced Israel to have the two concubines. All four of these women bore children for Jacob and all of their children combined, the twelve son’s make up the 12 tribes of Israel.

But as you study the scriptures, you will find that Jacob’s favorite wife stands out. He Loved Rachel! Rachel died though giving birth Benjamin, his youngest son.

Because Jacob loved Rachel more than the other women in his life, it would be easy to understand why he loved Joseph and Benjamin more.

Jacob undoubtedly did not learn his lesson from his own experience with his father and brother.

He should have known that playing favorites would cause trouble. His own father had favored the elder brother, and Jacob knew what it was to be discriminated against.

But here he is doing the very same thing with Joseph.

We can understand his feelings, knowing that Rachel was the true love of his life -- she was what made his world spin -- and Joseph is really a fine boy, and Jacob loves him dearly.

While all this is true, it still is not an excuse. He should not have made him that coat of many colors.

The point that I want you to understand, more than anything else, for the purpose of this series is this – Jacob loved Joseph and the love he had for his son began to show in the things that He did.

Jacob had big dreams for Joseph. His hopes and concerns for Joseph was manifested in the special coat that he made.