Summit Church
Ruthless Trust Pt 1 | The Scandal of Trust | Jim Ladd
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Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
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https://launcher.nucleus.church/flow/45159ea35f0710632a77Exodus 33:12-18
“Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.””
“Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.””
Proverbs 3:5–8
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
Mark 10:13-16
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
Big Idea: Ruthless Trust is completely fearless and radically simple.
1. What Is Ruthless Trust?
Trust in the LORD with all of your heart - in all of your ways acknowledge Him.
Trust in the LORD with all of your heart - in all of your ways acknowledge Him.
“Ruthless”: without pity or compassion; cruel; merciless. Synonym: Relentles
"Trust": reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, and certainty of a person. (Faith, belief, certainty)
"Trust": reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, and certainty of a person. (Faith, belief, certainty)
Ruthless Trust is a relentless reliance upon God that is demonstrated by how I live my life in every circumstance.
The story of salvation-history indicates that without exception trust must be purified in the crucible of trial.
Moses
Abraham/Isaac
King David
Jesus
Trust doesn’t cling to safety nets but bows at the foot of the cross.
The story of salvation-history indicates that without exception trust must be purified in the crucible of trial.
Moses
Abraham/Isaac
King David
Jesus
Trust doesn’t cling to safety nets but bows at the foot of the cross.
2. Why God’s Call to Trust is Offensive
For at least two reasons:
1. Trust ignores our need for control, certainty, and explanation
2. Sometimes we want answers but God offers only Himself
For at least two reasons:
1. Trust ignores our need for control, certainty, and explanation
2. Sometimes we want answers but God offers only Himself
3. The First Step of Ruthless Trust
Is a Call to Childlike Dependence
“If God stopped thinking of me, he would cease to exist.” - Angelus Silesius
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
God, by definition, is thinking of me.
“I know that God is loving and that God’s way of loving is trustworthy. I know this directly, through the experience of my life. There have been plenty of times of doubt, especially when I used to believe that trusting God’s goodness meant I would not be hurt. But having been hurt quite a bit, I know God’s goodness goes deeper than all pleasure and pain—it embraces them both.” - Gerald May
Is a Call to Childlike Dependence
“If God stopped thinking of me, he would cease to exist.” - Angelus Silesius
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
God, by definition, is thinking of me.
“I know that God is loving and that God’s way of loving is trustworthy. I know this directly, through the experience of my life. There have been plenty of times of doubt, especially when I used to believe that trusting God’s goodness meant I would not be hurt. But having been hurt quite a bit, I know God’s goodness goes deeper than all pleasure and pain—it embraces them both.” - Gerald May
Response:
* Ask God to expose areas where trust is conditional
* Practice surrender through a daily prayer of relinquishment
* When you are ready, sometime over these 4 weeks, sign the banner: We see a church that follows Jesus with ruthless trust.
* Demonstrate trust where you live, work, study, and play.
* Ask God to expose areas where trust is conditional
* Practice surrender through a daily prayer of relinquishment
* When you are ready, sometime over these 4 weeks, sign the banner: We see a church that follows Jesus with ruthless trust.
* Demonstrate trust where you live, work, study, and play.
Lord of Mercy and Grace,
Today, I release my grip on control. I lay my fears, plans, and outcomes at Your feet. I trust—not because I understand—but because You are good.
I surrender what I cannot fix, change, or predict. I entrust to You my life, my loved ones, and my future. When the path is dark, I will choose faith, not fear.
Shape my heart to trust You ruthlessly— to acknowledge You in all my ways. I know that your Presence will go with me and that you will give me rest.
In the name of Jesus, my suffering Savior and King - Amen.
Today, I release my grip on control. I lay my fears, plans, and outcomes at Your feet. I trust—not because I understand—but because You are good.
I surrender what I cannot fix, change, or predict. I entrust to You my life, my loved ones, and my future. When the path is dark, I will choose faith, not fear.
Shape my heart to trust You ruthlessly— to acknowledge You in all my ways. I know that your Presence will go with me and that you will give me rest.
In the name of Jesus, my suffering Savior and King - Amen.
Discussion Guide
Big Idea: Ruthless trust is completely fearless and radically simple.
Icebreaker
If you could go back to your childhood and live one carefree day, what would you do?
Discussion Questions
1. In your own words, how would you describe ruthless trust based on the message and the Scriptures we read?
2. Moses’ Example (Exodus 33:12–18) What reasons did Moses give for refusing to move forward without God’s presence? How might that attitude shape your decisions today?
3. Share a time when trusting God meant letting go of control. What did you learn about Him in that process?
4. Childlike Dependence (Mark 10:13–16) What do you think Jesus meant by receiving the kingdom “like a little child”? What does that look like for you now?
5. Jim said, “Trust doesn’t cling to safety nets but bows at the foot of the cross.” What “safety nets” do you tend to hold onto?
6. Which is harder for you—trusting God without explanations or trusting Him without knowing the outcome? Why?
7. Have you ever realized your trust in God was conditional (“If You do ____, then I’ll trust You”)? How did God work in that?
8. God’s Constant Care (Luke 12:6–7) How does knowing that God is always thinking of you change your perspective in moments of fear or uncertainty?
9. Jim said trust is “purified in the crucible of trial.” Can you share a moment where hardship deepened your trust in God?
10. Practicing Ruthless Trust What’s one specific step you can take this week to surrender more fully to God’s care—at home, at work, or in relationships?
Icebreaker
If you could go back to your childhood and live one carefree day, what would you do?
Discussion Questions
1. In your own words, how would you describe ruthless trust based on the message and the Scriptures we read?
2. Moses’ Example (Exodus 33:12–18) What reasons did Moses give for refusing to move forward without God’s presence? How might that attitude shape your decisions today?
3. Share a time when trusting God meant letting go of control. What did you learn about Him in that process?
4. Childlike Dependence (Mark 10:13–16) What do you think Jesus meant by receiving the kingdom “like a little child”? What does that look like for you now?
5. Jim said, “Trust doesn’t cling to safety nets but bows at the foot of the cross.” What “safety nets” do you tend to hold onto?
6. Which is harder for you—trusting God without explanations or trusting Him without knowing the outcome? Why?
7. Have you ever realized your trust in God was conditional (“If You do ____, then I’ll trust You”)? How did God work in that?
8. God’s Constant Care (Luke 12:6–7) How does knowing that God is always thinking of you change your perspective in moments of fear or uncertainty?
9. Jim said trust is “purified in the crucible of trial.” Can you share a moment where hardship deepened your trust in God?
10. Practicing Ruthless Trust What’s one specific step you can take this week to surrender more fully to God’s care—at home, at work, or in relationships?