Summit Church
Simple Faith | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Hebrews 11:1-16
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
WHAT OUR INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL
THE STATE OF THE SOUL (2025 SNAPSHOT)
We are Informed and connected, but overwhelmed and uncertain.
The 2025 ‘How do I…?’ trend
The Bible rarely starts with “how do I”. It starts with “by faith.”
Example:
* “How do I fix my finances?” (by faith)
* “How do I find peace?” (by faith)
* “How do I make my marriage work?” (by faith)
* “How do I not burn out?” (by faith)
The Bible rarely starts with “how do I”. It starts with “by faith.”
Example:
* “How do I fix my finances?” (by faith)
* “How do I find peace?” (by faith)
* “How do I make my marriage work?” (by faith)
* “How do I not burn out?” (by faith)
DO WE HAVE TO HIT ROCK BOTTOM?
Rock bottom isn’t where life ends. It’s where illusions die.
Faith begins when what is seen stops working
Rock bottom isn’t where life ends. It’s where illusions die.
Faith begins when what is seen stops working
People don't fail at faith because it’s complex
People fail at faith because surrender is terrifying
People fail at faith because surrender is terrifying
THE BIG IDEA: Faith isn’t easy—but it is simple
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Faith is simple—not shallow.
Simple Faith is Rooted in Three Facts:
Fact #1 — God Is
The first 4 words of the Bible are really all you need:
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God”
Fact #1 — God Is
The first 4 words of the Bible are really all you need:
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God”
John 1:1-5; 10-14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
“Faith doesn’t start with answers—it starts with God.”
Fact #2 — God Rewards
So He is an equal-opportunity rewarder, not a universalist, communist, or socialist rewarder.
He rewards "Those who do diligently seek Him"
So He is an equal-opportunity rewarder, not a universalist, communist, or socialist rewarder.
He rewards "Those who do diligently seek Him"
Matthew 11:28–30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Reward = rest
Yoke = shared weight
Burden = light because it’s carried together
God rewards pursuit, not performance
Yoke = shared weight
Burden = light because it’s carried together
God rewards pursuit, not performance
Simple faith doesn’t remove complexity. It gives you roads and guardrails.
Fact #3 — Seekers Find Him
It all begins with Radical Surrender to God.
It all begins with Radical Surrender to God.
Exodus 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.” Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.””
“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.” Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.””
Isaiah 30:19-22
“How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!””
“How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!””
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.”
Don’t just believe in God. Believe God.
Response:
- For 2026, what is one area where you will stop Googling and start trusting?
- Where will you replace control with surrender?
- How will earnest seeking move from belief to action this year?
- For 2026, what is one area where you will stop Googling and start trusting?
- Where will you replace control with surrender?
- How will earnest seeking move from belief to action this year?
Discussion Guide
ICEBREAKERS (Choose 1)
1. What is the last thing you remember searching on Google?
2. When life feels overwhelming, what is your default response—problem-solving, distraction, avoidance, prayer, or something else?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Hebrews 11 defines faith as “confidence” and “assurance.” How is that different from how faith is often described in everyday language?
2. Verse 6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Why do you think Scripture uses such strong language?
3. Our internet activity is an “honest confession of the heart.” Do you agree or disagree? Why
4. The statement was made: “Rock bottom isn’t where life ends; it’s where illusions die.” Can you tell us about a time when something or someone you trusted stopped working?
5. Why do you think surrender feels more frightening than failure for many people?
6. Do you think people avoid faith more because it’s confusing—or because it threatens control? How have you seen that play out in your own life?
7. Fact #1: God Is. How does starting with God’s reality (instead of explanations or outcomes) change how you approach uncertainty?
8. Fact #2: God Rewards. Jesus describes the reward as rest. What does “rest” mean to you right now, and where do you feel most weary?
9. God rewards pursuit, not performance. Where do you feel tempted to perform for God rather than seek Him?
10. Faith was described as a compass, not a GPS. Where in your life do you want certainty, but God may be offering direction instead?
As you think about 2026: (pick one)
1. Where will you stop Googling and start trusting?
2. Where will you replace control with surrender?
3. What is one concrete action you will take that reflects earnest seeking this year?
1. What is the last thing you remember searching on Google?
2. When life feels overwhelming, what is your default response—problem-solving, distraction, avoidance, prayer, or something else?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Hebrews 11 defines faith as “confidence” and “assurance.” How is that different from how faith is often described in everyday language?
2. Verse 6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Why do you think Scripture uses such strong language?
3. Our internet activity is an “honest confession of the heart.” Do you agree or disagree? Why
4. The statement was made: “Rock bottom isn’t where life ends; it’s where illusions die.” Can you tell us about a time when something or someone you trusted stopped working?
5. Why do you think surrender feels more frightening than failure for many people?
6. Do you think people avoid faith more because it’s confusing—or because it threatens control? How have you seen that play out in your own life?
7. Fact #1: God Is. How does starting with God’s reality (instead of explanations or outcomes) change how you approach uncertainty?
8. Fact #2: God Rewards. Jesus describes the reward as rest. What does “rest” mean to you right now, and where do you feel most weary?
9. God rewards pursuit, not performance. Where do you feel tempted to perform for God rather than seek Him?
10. Faith was described as a compass, not a GPS. Where in your life do you want certainty, but God may be offering direction instead?
As you think about 2026: (pick one)
1. Where will you stop Googling and start trusting?
2. Where will you replace control with surrender?
3. What is one concrete action you will take that reflects earnest seeking this year?