1. Sabbath
Exodus 35:1-3 “Then Moses called together the whole community of Israel and told them, “These are the instructions the Lord has commanded you to follow. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death. You must not even light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath.”
Do you know how many times the sabbath was mentioned in the Old Testament?

Do you know who took the first sabbath?

Which commandment is about the sabbath?

Did you know the sabbath was a covenant between God and Israel?

Exodus 31:13 says, “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”

Keeping the sabbath is a command from God. Therefore, resisting A REST is a sin. 

We all need rest, but while we are resting, we should be focusing on what God has done. Pointing our focus to him and away from us. 
Without time away from all of the activities and work, we forget the meaning of life.
Without time away, we become bitter.
Without time away, we lose balance.
Without focusing on God, we lose the meaning of life. 
Without focusing on God, we become bitter.
Without focusing on God, we lose balance. 
Rest and shift your focus to God. 
2. Offerings to the Lord
Exodus 35:4-5 “Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord:” 
Then it goes on to list precious metals, thread, cloth, leather, oils, wood, and stones. 

The Israelites have been in the desert for quite some time now. So, where did these items come from?
Exodus 35:21-22 “All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold-brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They present gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord.”
  1. They brought their offerings to the LORD. Not to Moses. Not to Aaron. They brought them to God. When we as a staff ask you to give, we’re not asking you to give to us. We are asking you to give to God. So that we can further His kingdom, not our pockets. 
  2. These were not required gifts. It says, “Those whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved” - brought their gifts willingly. They gave cheerfully, because they knew they were giving to the house of God. 
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “God loves a cheerful giver.”

We should be giving to the church from a place of love and generosity - not because you feel guilty. 

Has God blessed you with enough to meet your daily needs? If so, consider giving above and beyond your tithe. 
Different items were needed to complete the tabernacle. You, by yourself, cannot provide everything that is needed to build this church. It took an entire community to supply the needs of the tabernacle. It will take all of us to supply the needs of our church and to support the spreading of God’s love to our community and around the world. 
3. Giving of your ability
Exodus 35:29 “So the people of Israel - every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses - brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.”

Not only did they give their physical items, but they also gave of their talents and abilities. 
Exodus 35:25-26 “All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen cloth. All the women who were willing used their skills to spin the goat hair into yarn.”
It goes on to say that two men, Bexalel and Oholiab, were given special abilities in crafting and designing with the materials God requested. Not only did God give these men their talents, but he also gave them the ability to teach others their skills. 
God has given each of us different abilities in growing His kingdom. 
Maybe you have a gift of intercessory prayer.
Maybe you have musical talents. 
Maybe you have the patience to hold crying babies. 
“A tree doesn’t eat its own fruit. Your gifts are meant to bless others.”
The gifts that God has given you weren’t meant to be self-serving. They are meant to make Heaven crowded. 
We need your talent and abilities to grow His kingdom.
God cannot bless us or our ministries until we get to work. If God gives you a vision; He will also bring the provision. If He gives you a job; he will also give you the abilities to finish the job. But you have to be willing to do the work

What's the work? 
  1. Growing in your abilities
  2. Stretching yourself
  3. Taking a class
  4. Practice
Transformational moments:
  1. Are you focusing on God or yourself?
  2. Are you willing to give above and beyond your tithe to grow His kingdom?
  3. Are you using your ability to serve your church?