Category: Serminute Series

From a Coat of Many Colors to Many Coats of Color – Favor with God AND Man

R. Mangold

colorcoats

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 colors. 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. (Passage Link: Genesis 37:3-4)

Young, ambitious, and perhaps overzealous, Joseph soon learned that despite favor with his father, he would have to learn to harness his newly found gifts and couple them with humility.

At some point, our gifts will make a place for us; in fact, it will likely gain us audience with kings. But, there is no circumventing God’s process and plan. Given a preview of things to come in his life, Joseph surely must have thought this was going to take shape quickly, when in reality…it was going to take decades to fully come to fruition.

The other aspect of our gifts and skills according to Proverbs 22:29, not only will our skills allows us to stand before kings, we will not stand before “mean men!” Joseph’s brothers were not warm to the idea of their brother being their leader and were more than mean – they were bitter.

Even Jesus, God wrapped in flesh, followed the proper channels, Luke 2:52 teaches us, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

In short, you may well have the calling, the gifting, and the talent, but without the favor of God and man, you’ll run into angry men long before you ever appear before kings.

More on the Coats of Joseph’s Life – “From a Coat of Many Colors to Many Coats of Color”

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

From a Coat of Many Colors to Many Coats of Color

R. Mangold

colorcoats

Now the love which Israel had for Joseph was greater than his love for all his other children, because he got him when he was an old man: and he had a long coat made for him. (Passage Link: Genesis 37:3)

Less a statement of fashion and more a statement of love, Joseph’s highly prized and colorful coat brought with it privilege but at a great price. From the moment Joseph donned his new coat his life was swirled with controversy. Yes, this coveted coat signified favor, but Joseph would soon learn not everyone views you through the loving eyes of the Father. Some view your calling through blinders of jealousy and envy; others through competition and rivalry.

Thinking no ill would come of showing them his new coat, Joseph would unknowingly instigate a devious plot by his older brothers to sell him into slavery and to convince their father Joseph had fallen prey to the vicious attack of an animal.

We enjoy the moments of basking in God’s good graces; when He showers His love and favor bountifully on us, as we should. Yet this favor is NOT to be used as a “cloak” of maliciousness. God setting you aside for His purpose is not intended to draw attention to you as much as it is to bring Him Supreme Glory. The “Thunder” Brothers, James and John, were seeking the position of “right and left” but neglected to take a peek at the price tag. Jesus warned them that to be granted such privilege would require them to be willing to “be baptized with the baptism” that He would endure (Passage Link: Mark 10:37-40).

You will note as we take this journey through Joseph’s life there is always an exchange of coats, and with each coat comes a new level of favor, growth, and glory for this beloved “Dreamer of Dreams.”

More on the Coats of Joseph’s Life – “From a Coat of Many Colors to Many Coats of Color”

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Big Lessons in Small Packages – Pray vs. Prey

R. Mangold

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31 – 32

One day while I was waiting for the light to change, a brown blur of feathers entered the intersection. Three sparrows were entangled in what resembled a World War II “dogfight.” Tragically, the embittered birds were so engulfed in warfare they never saw the vehicle that seconds later wiped out all three combatants in one fell swoop.

The analogy was inescapable. The misguided birds were so fixated on attacking each other they all lost their lives. Paul warned us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).

Our enemy is NOT each other! Satan is our foe, and a defeated one at that! He wants to destroy all hope of you spending eternity with Christ. But, “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 (I John 4:4).

Let brotherly love continue, building up rather than attacking each other. Let’s stop “warring” against each other or the enemy of our souls could easily destroy us “unawares!”

Sparrows are NOT birds of prey. Likewise, we should pray for, not prey on, each other.

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“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute.  One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas  for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students!  Visit our ABOUT PAGE  for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you.  Rev. RD Mangold

Weakness = Perfect Strength (Part 2 of 2)

R. Mangold

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Weakness reveals areas where strength is needed. Later, as weaknesses are revealed, those that are wise build support around those areas of their life, shoring them up and guarding them, where others hide them or behind them. Of course, try as we may, hiding our weaknesses from God is futile.

Our strength is imperfect, where God’s strength is perfect when we allow Him full reign. See, God can use our weaknesses to better reveal deeper facets of His Grace and Mercy. Rather than curse our weaknesses, we should glorify in them as the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9…Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“

Rather than hide from them, or behind them, Paul allowed the sources of weakness; his embarrassment, shame, and perhaps even his past, to be a source of glory, not that he was proud of them, but rather than bring him down, Paul allowed those “flaws” to remind him, and others, as long as they were there, Christ’s power was resting upon him, as if to say, Paul had Christ’s undivided attention.

If you are weak, stop hiding behind, or even from your flaws; allow God’s infinite omnipotent power to equip you in every way possible to overcome your weakness and become strong, not in your power or might, but in the Lord’s!

Link to Part 1 – Weakness = Perfect Strength

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Weakness = Perfect Strength (Part 1 of 2)

R. Mangold

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Whether genetic or social, it seems engrained in us to want to please our parents. With few exceptions, we take great pride in gaining the approval of our parents. We want to show our independence and strength almost as if to say, “Hey Mom and Dad look what a great kid you raised.”

Ironically, this same display of “strength and independence” is viewed quite differently by God. Our text indicates the source of our strength should come from…The Lord and the power of his might (my emphasis). In fact, Apostle Paul learned this lesson while facing perhaps the most difficult time of his ministry. God’s answer to Paul’s request, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Cor. 12:9).”

When we “grow up” our inclination may be to want to take the reins. Not so with God. We become God’s “poster child” of perfected strength when we gain a proper perspective of our weakness. Weakness, borne out of humility, builds a strong reliance on God. His perfected strength revealed through our weakness brings God optimal Glory, and for us ultimate victory!

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold