Exodus 35:4-29 • Stirred, Not Shaken

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

In chp.34 Moses went up the Mountain of God for the 5th time…

He received the 10 commandments again… as well as many other instructions from the Lord…

We saw that Moses’ face was shining… glowing… radiating with the glory of the Lord…

Last time we look at Vs. 1-3, Israel’s Obedience involved their PRIORITY.

Which was to keep the sabbath rest.

Be still, and know that I am God

Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden…

2. Current Study’s Overview

in Ex.35-40 we’ll be looking at the construction of the Tabernacle as well as the various articles for the Tabernacle.…

And the Priestly Garments for those who minister in the Tabernacle…

So the balance of the book involves & revolves around the Work that will be done for the Lord…

Today we are going to continue to look at Israel’s Obedience and it involves, GIVING.

1. Israel’s Obedience Involves Giving Vs. 4-29

1.1 Giving Requires Willing Hearts Vs. 4-9

So Moses is going to collect an offering to the Lord of the various materials that are needed to build the Tabernacle and all its furnishings…

But notice in vs.5 it was to be offered with a willing heart… vs.29 it was free will offering…

In other words God only wants it… if you want to give it…

APPLICATION: That is why we don’t pass a plate, not that there is anything wrong with passing a plate... but it can be a problem.

The giver can feel pressured into giving… they see the plate coming down the row and think, will I better give something I don’t the person sitting next to me to think I’m a tight wad…

Or, they see the plate coming and whip out their checkbook tear out a check and place it face up in the plate so others can see how spiritual he really is…

2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

1.2 Giving Involves Gifted Hearts Vs. 10-19

Those who are Skillful or have Gifts we might say, will come and do the work of the Lord…

I believe all of us have a gift… 1 Peter 4:10 each one has received a gift… Eph.1:3 blessed with every spiritual blessing…

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

The question is are we using the gifts that God has given us for His glory… 1 Cor.10:31 glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

APPLICATION: You may be here asking, how do I know what my gift is? Trust me, you’ll know & so will everyone else, because they’ll say...

Bro you suck, you don’t have that gift, please stop!

Or clearly that is NOT your gift, just look at the fruit...

It will be simple & natural… it will be supernaturally natural… I like what Pastor Chuck says: if you think you’re a leader, turn around and see if anyone is following…

1.3 Giving Requires Stirred Hearts Vs. 20-29

There in Vs. 21 Their heart was stirred by the Lord NOT shaken…

and Notice, they were stirred by the Lord not by man… there was no pressure… no heavy handed tactics… no sermons of condemnation… no guilt trips…

That is one reason we don’t ask people to do things here at the barn… because if someone asks you might feel compelled to do it… either out of obligation or guilt…

APPLICATION: When your heart is stirred by the Lord… your spirit is willing to serve the Lord…

And you always can tell a person who is serving the Lord by the Spirit…

They don’t grumble… they don’t moan or groan… they don’t look for that pat on the back …

They simply serve the Lord with Joy regardless if anyone is watching… because what they’re doing they’re doing heartily as unto the Lord, Col.3:23…

Colossians 3:23 NKJV

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

ILLUSTRATION: consider the story of a small village at the foot of a towering mountain. This village was known for its serene beauty and the close-knit community that lived there.

Among the villagers was an elderly woman named Anna, who was known for her wisdom and gentle spirit.

One year, the village faced a severe drought. The streams that once flowed freely were now mere trickles, and the fields that provided their sustenance were parched. The villagers were becoming desperate, fearing for their survival through the winter months.

In the midst of this crisis, Anna felt a stirring in her heart. It wasn't fear or despair but a call to action, a divine nudge. She didn't have much, but she had a storeroom filled with jars of preserved fruits, grains, and vegetables she had saved over the years, not knowing why she felt compelled to save so much. Now, she understood.

Without announcing her intentions, Anna began to distribute her stores among the families in the village. Each night, she would leave baskets of food on doorsteps, ensuring that the most vulnerable had enough to eat. Her actions were not motivated by a desire for recognition or praise; she was simply responding to the stirring in her heart, a clear call from the Lord to serve her community in their time of need.

As the weeks passed, the villagers began to notice the anonymous gifts. Speculation grew about the source, but Anna remained silent. Her joy came not from the accolades she might have received but from knowing she was serving as the Lord had called her to serve.

One evening, a young girl caught Anna in the act of leaving a basket on a doorstep. Amazed, she asked, "Why do you do this, Anna? Why give away so much when you have so little?"

Anna smiled, her eyes reflecting a deep, inner peace. "My child," she said, "the Lord stirred my heart. He showed me that even in our darkest times, we can be a light to others. We don't give because we are compelled by others or seek reward; we give because our hearts are moved by the love of the Lord. And in serving Him, we find our greatest joy."

APPLICATION: This story illustrates the essence of giving from a stirred heart. Like Anna, when we are moved not by external pressures but by a genuine calling from the Lord, our actions reflect the purest form of service.

We give not for recognition but out of love and obedience to God, serving joyfully and heartily as unto the Lord, just as Colossians 3:23 instructs.

This is the hallmark of a life truly touched by God, serving with a spirit willing and joyful, regardless of who sees or knows.

ENDING….