Over the past several weeks we have focused on some of the attributes of God—the omniscience of God, the omnipresence of God, the omnipotence of God, the goodness of God, the immutability (unchanging nature) of God, to name a few.  We could easily spend the rest of the year considering the attributes of God.  But even if we were to consider a different attribute of God each week, we would never exhaust the storehouse of the knowledge of God. Jared helped us realize this by engaging us in the incomprehensibility of God, which means that even though we can know God truly, none of us can comprehend God exhaustively.

This Sunday we will bring our series on the attributes of God to a close by considering this question:  Why is it important for us to have an accurate theological understanding of who God is? 

Recently I read some excerpts from a book titled Homespun Gospel by Todd Brenneman, who argues “that sentimentality has triumphed as the primary language in contemporary American evangelicalism over doctrine and scholars need to recognize this change.” I think Brenneman has a valid point. Sentimentality certainly wields a powerful influence in the visible church these days.  If we don’t equip you with an accurate theological understanding of God, the culture will provide you with a sentimental view of God by default.  In fact, you have in all likelihood developed a sentimental view of God without realizing it. 

We’re much more comfortable with the god of our sentimentality than we are with the God of the Bible.  These days it seems many people are more interested in building a “Christian” sandcastle rather than a fortress of stone. The most popular books and DVDs in the evangelical marketplace today are not commentaries on the Bible or books on theology; they’re the ones that present fluffy, happy, and often unbiblical views of God.

Shallow theology is popular.  It sells well in the marketplace.  But it will not do in the face of suffering. We need to know God as He is; not as we want Him to be.  We need to sink our roots deep down in the Scriptures so we can be ready for anything that might happen.  As it is, what do we do when we face difficulties?  Well, we complain.  But is complaining going to help?  Will complaining make us more Christ-like?  You know the answer to those questions.

So, this week I want us to wrestle with the concept of how we can change our thinking about our lot in life so that we will glorify God by being content in the conditions He has placed us in.  We need to learn to be content in whatever condition or situation we may find ourselves.  We find contentment when we look to the real God.  But when we look to the god of our sentimentality, all we really see is that someone else has what we don’t have.  And that breeds disillusionment and it breeds discontent.  And so we are never satisfied.

The Apostle Paul learned to be content in whatever situation he was in (c.f. Philippians 4:11).  Contentment isn’t natural. It’s not something you’re born with it. And it’s not a gift. Contentment is learned.