Work and Rest (Exodus 31)

Sep 4

We'll return to the book of Exodus. Chapter 31 pictures the special balance between the work God calls us to do for Him and the rest that He also allows us to enjoy. In the first half of the passage, God uses the gifts and talents that He gave to particular Israelites to do His work. In the same way, God equips each of us in unique ways to serve Him. In the second half, God speaks about the importance of resting in Him.

How do you balance work and rest today?

What role does God have in your working and in your resting?

More sermons in this series:

More sermons from Pastor John Toone:

Featured

October 28, 2024

Together Again At Last (Exodus 40)

October 28, 2024

In this sermon we will finish the book of Exodus with Chapter 40. The last few verses of the chapter in particular show us how God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt so that they could be in His presence. This is like how He rescues us today from our slavery to sin. God came to live with His people in the tabernacle, just like Jesus came to live with us as a human. God's presence travels with His people, just like the Holy Spirit goes with us today.

What has God done for me so that I could be in His presence? How will I respond to what God has done?

October 28, 2024

October 23, 2024

More Than Enough for the Work (Exodus 35-39)

October 23, 2024

In this sermon we will look at how God's people built a place to be with and worship Him in Exodus 35-39. In particular, we'll focus on 35:4-36:7 where Moses challenges the people to give to God's work. In response, they give more than what is needed.

Do I value God's work (and what He has done for me in Jesus Christ) that I give like that?

October 23, 2024

October 17, 2024

Show Me Your Glory (Exodus 33:18)

October 17, 2024

Exodus 33:18 through the end of chapter 34 tells us about how God gave Moses a powerful glimpse of His glory. Through this event, Moses comes to a deeper understanding of God's mercy, grace, love, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice. That experience has a profound impact on Moses and it can have an impact on us too. As we understand more of who God is, our lives are changed and other people can see the difference. What is God's character? How should drawing close to God impact my life?

October 17, 2024

September 18, 2024

Will God Go With You? (Exodus 32:30-33:17)

September 18, 2024

In this sermon we will pick up the story of the Israelites and the gold calf in Exodus 32:30-33:17. In this passage, Moses attempts to restore the relationship with God. The situation becomes more desperate when God threatens to not go with them into the Promised Land. The people mourn and seek God because they realize being with God is more important than anything else. Will God go with His people? Does He go with you? Do I value knowing God and being in His presence through Jesus Christ? If so, how much do I value that relationship?

September 18, 2024

September 11, 2024

Who Is Your God? (Exodus 32)

September 11, 2024

In this sermon we will look at the infamous story of the golden calf from Exodus 32. We'll learn about the deceptiveness of sin and the damage it can cause. Yet, we will also see our need for a mediator and God's amazing compassion for His people. We should turn away from idols in our own lives, but when we fail, our God is gracious and merciful. What idols am I tempted by? How does God respond to me when I sin?

September 11, 2024

September 4, 2024

Work and Rest (Exodus 31)

September 4, 2024

August 21, 2024

A Holy Place for the Holy God (Exodus 25-30)

August 21, 2024

We will also be continuing our study of the book of Exodus by looking at Chapters 25-30. We will be covering a lot of ground this week as God gives instructions for building a holy tabernacle and for consecrating holy priests. While it may seem irrelevant, these chapters are actually very important, because they describe the place where God's presence will dwell with His people. It would have been encouraging news for the Israelites, but it should be even more encouraging for us because we no longer have to go to a particular place or rely on priests to worship God. Through Jesus Christ, our better priest, we have access to God wherever we are!

Why does God give so many specific instructions in these chapters? Why is being in God's presence important?

August 21, 2024

August 14, 2024

Worship In God's Presence (Exodus 24)

August 14, 2024

In this sermon we will return to Exodus to witness a powerful worship experience in Exodus 24. This text will show us how our commitment to God leads to deeper fellowship with Him. It will also remind us that a sacrifice was needed to make that commitment and fellowship possible. Our sacrifice was and is Jesus Christ.

What does practical commitment to God look like in my life?
Do I experience fellowship with God when I worship?

August 14, 2024

Featured

July 3, 2025

In Remembrance Of Me (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

July 3, 2025

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 will highlight how the Lord's Supper is meant to be a testimony to our unity as a church, a powerful moment to remember and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and an opportunity to reflect on what Jesus has done for us.

As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself, "What does it mean to 'examine' myself?"

"Why is the Lord's Supper important?"

July 3, 2025

November 6, 2024

What To Do After The Election (Colossians 4:2-6)

November 6, 2024

The 2024 election is only a few days away. Maybe you think about it with excitement, anxiety, or relief that the political ads will stop. In this sermon, Colossians 4:2-6 will remind us that while elections are important, the daily decisions that we make to live for Christ are more important. Believers should daily decide to pray, share the good news, and walk in wisdom toward non-believers. Why are the daily decisions I make to live for Christ so important? How can I put those decisions in the proper perspective?

November 6, 2024

August 16, 2022

Not "By" Works, But "For" Works (Ephesians 2:8-10)

August 16, 2022

Inspired by this year's VBS theme verse, we'll then look at Ephesians 2:8-10 to talk about the relationship between salvation and good works. We are not saved "by" good works, but "by" God's grace and through faith in Jesus Christ.
Yet, we are saved "for" good works that God has prepared ahead of time for us to do for His glory.

August 16, 2022

April 19, 2022

The Race on Easter Morning (John 20:1-9)

April 19, 2022

We look at John 20:1-9 and the account several people who were running around on the morning of Christ’s resurrection trying to figure out what happened to the tomb and body of the man they loved. The answer would surprise them and change the world!

Why do we come to church on Easter morning?

What difference does (or should) the resurrection of Jesus make in my daily life?

April 19, 2022

January 11, 2022

January 9, 2022 Sermon

January 11, 2022

A sermon from Pastor John Toone.

January 11, 2022

August 17, 2021

Seek and Find (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

August 17, 2021

How we can seek and find God?

Am I seeking God? What truth do we find in the Bible about Jesus Christ?”

August 17, 2021

Recent Series

Featured

Luke: Discovering Jesus

We will start a new sermon series on the Gospel of Luke. This sermon will be an introduction to the book and the first two chapters, focusing on Luke 1:1-4. We can trust what Luke writes about Jesus because he is presenting an orderly account of Jesus' life based on eyewitness testimony. This book should give us certainty about the truth of Jesus Christ.

Amos: The Lord Roars

We begin a new series through the book of Amos, which show us how to respond when the Lord roars with judgment.

Where do we find hope in the Lord’s passion for justice?

2 Peter: Double-check

2 Peter is about making sure (or double-checking) that we know what we believe and that we are growing in the faith.

JOB: Where Is God?

We will begin a new series going through the Old Testament book of Job. We ponder what we should do when God feels distant and things go wrong in our lives. Will we still trust in God's sovereign goodness and loving-kindness?

Titus: Mission Of The Church

Our focus will be on what God says our mission/goal as a church should be. In Titus 1:1-4, we'll talk about our responsibility to know the truth, live it out, and trust in the hope of eternal life.

Exodus | Escape To God’s Presence

Exodus emphasizes what God has done to bring us (His people) into His presence and into a relationship with Him.

Who Is Jesus? | The Gospel Of Mark

Summer Reading With The Word: A Study Of Psalm 119

Jesus Is Better - A Study Of The Book Of Hebrews

This is a powerful book that boldly proclaims the message that Jesus is Better! We’ll look at Hebrews 1:1-3 and talk about how the message ‘Jesus is Better’ can be a great encouragement to us.

We're Back! Now What? - A Study of The Books of Ezra & Nehemiah

Like the Israelites in exile, we have experienced many events that have kept us from serving God the way we were used to. But now, how should we move forward? The books of Ezra and Nehemiah help us answer that question. We’ll start this week in Ezra 1-2 learning about how God keeps His promises.
Will God keep what He has promised? How can I learn to trust Him?

Love In A Broken World - A Study of the Book of Ruth

Rejoice & Grow (Epistle to the Philippians)

“Joy is how believers who know Christ and whose futures are guaranteed by Christ respond in the context of present difficulties.” -Gordon Fee

The Sermon (Matthew 5-7)

What is The Sermon about?

Hope in Hard Times (Lamentations 3)

When it feels like God is against you.

Moving Forward: A Study Through the Book of Joshua

God is faithful and is ready to move forward.

Pastor John TooneMosesExodusWorkLaborRest

Pastor John Toone

Pastor John Toone had served as East Shore’s Associate Pastor from June 2014 until his appointment as Senior Pastor in September 2020.

John’s passion is to glorify God and see His Word transform lives into the image of Christ, by the Holy Spirit’s power, in fulfillment of the Great Commission. He enjoys spending time with his family, talking about the Bible and theology, reading, watching movies, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles!