"LEFT OVERS" for GOD ??        	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  11-26-00 A.M.   			Isaiah 44:1-26    		
	Well... Thanksgiving (Day, that is) is over... I trust you had a good weekend... 
with family and friends... or even if you were all alone!  By now you have had plenty of 
"leftovers", I'm sure!  Turkey casserole, turkey sandwiches, creamed turkey.. on and on.
These leftovers are not too bad... But God speaks through Isaiah about the attitudes and 
practices of Israel... and their "leftovers" are Not Good... 
I.  THE CLAIMS of GOD.. 6-8 
  A. He Speaks With Authority.. 
    1. The LORD.. the King of Israel.. Listen to who is speaking !! 
  B. He Saves With Affection..  Redemption is of the Lord..  6 
  C. He Stands Alone.. 
    1. I am the first and the last..  6  (Rev.22:13.. Alpha & Omega) 
    2. I am the Only One.. beside me there is NO GOD !!  6, 8 
    3. I am the One about whom you are to Witness..  fear not 8 
II.  THE CONDEMNATION of GOD..  9-20 
  A. Because of The "Human" Way..  9  "I'll do it my way.." 
    1. They make a "graven" image.. 
    2. The "smith" at his forge.. fashions a god..  12 
    3. The "carpenter".. with his tools.. fashions a god.. 
	- He burns a little.. to warm himself... to cook his food.. 15, 16 
	- He makes a god out of the "leftovers".. 17  & worships it !!
 ** What are the gods of your own making ??  Money?  Fame?  Power? Position?  Relationships? 
  B. Because It Is A "Blinded" Way..18 
    1. Their eyes are shut.. their hearts are closed... 
    2. They don't know or understand...
 ** Do you think you see it all so clearly.. yet if it is your way..  It is a "blinded" way. 
  C. Because It Is A "Foolish" Way.. 19 
    1. They don't even consider what they are doing as "wrong"  19 
    2. Just stop and think..
	- I have burned part of it to warm myself.. 
	- I have cooked my food to feed myself..
	- I have made me a god..  What am I doing??  Shall I bow down to a tree ??? 
  D. Because It Is An "Unsatisfying" Way..  20 
    1. God says he "feeds on ashes"... that won't satisfy your soul !! 
    2. God says he has a deceived heart.. be careful not to deceive yourself..  James 1:22 
    3. God says he has no deliverance for his soul.. 
	- If you turn to your own gods... Christ will not save you.. (cannot save you) 
    4. God says he doesn't consider he has lied to himself..  20 b 
	- "is there a lie in my right hand?" 
III.  THE CALL of GOD.. 21-23 
  A. It Is A Call To Remember..  oh Jacob and Israel.. 
    1. Remember Who You Are..  my servant... never forgotten by Me! 
    2. Remember What God Has Done.. 21 
	- I have blotted out your transgressions and sins..as a thick cloud 
	- I have bought you.. redeemed you.. No idol ever did this! 
  B. It Is A Call To Return.. "unto Me" 
    1. Because of Who I Am.. 
    2. Because of who You are.. 
    3. Because of what I have done..  redeemed you, forgiven you... 
  C. It is a Call To Rejoice..  23 
    1. Who?  the heavens, the valleys, the mountains, the forest....  (Everything & Everyone)
    2. Why?  The Lord has redeemed Jacob... And Glorified Himself in Israel 
    3. What?  Sing... Worship... Praise.. THE ONLY TRUE GOD !!!! 

IS YOUR WORSHIP AND SERVICE LIKE "LEFT OVERS" TO GOD ?? 
	OR ARE YOU REALLY COMMITTED TO HIM.. NO MATTER WHAT !!