Radical Trust: Surrendering to God's Kingdom

Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s work among us, a reminder of the beauty of community, and a challenge to consider what it truly means to follow Jesus with our whole lives. We began by recognizing the vibrant life in our shared church space, especially as we partner with other congregations, like the Central American church celebrating youth baptisms. This visible diversity and unity is a sign of God’s kingdom at work, transcending language and culture.

Turning to the teachings of Jesus, we explored the parables—stories that reveal the nature of God’s kingdom. Today, we focused on the story of the rich ruler in Luke 18, where Jesus challenges him to sell all he has, give to the poor, and follow. This is not just a lesson about money, but about the deep grip that security, wealth, and possessions can have on our hearts. Jesus’ words—“it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”—are meant to shake us, to reveal how difficult it is to let go and trust God fully.

We wrestled with the reality that, by global standards, most of us are wealthy, yet many still struggle, live paycheck to paycheck, and feel the anxiety of losing what little we have. This tension can lead to guilt, fear, and a sense of inadequacy. But Jesus’ call is not about shaming us for what we have or don’t have; it’s about inviting us to a radical trust—a leap of faith that feels as risky as jumping off a cliff into murky water, not knowing what lies beneath.

Following Jesus means surrendering our grip on what we think keeps us safe. It’s not a safe or easy path; it’s a call to trust that God is good, even when we can’t see the bottom. In God’s kingdom, the rich and poor stand equal, and our value is not measured by what we possess. We are invited to live generously, to treat others as we would want to be treated, and to find our security not in wealth, but in God’s faithful care. The journey of faith is a free fall into God’s hands, and though it feels like losing control, it is there that we discover true freedom and belonging.

Key Takeaways

- The Kingdom of God Demands Full Surrender
Entering God’s kingdom is not a partial commitment; it requires letting go of our tight grip on security, wealth, and self-sufficiency. Like standing on the edge of a cliff, we are called to leap, trusting that God’s goodness will catch us—even when we can’t see what’s below. This surrender is uncomfortable, but it is the only way to experience the fullness of life with God. [01:03:33]

- Wealth Is Both a Blessing and a Barrier
While many of us are richer than most of the world, wealth can easily become a barrier to spiritual growth. The more we have, the more we feel compelled to protect it, and the harder it becomes to trust God instead of our resources. Jesus’ challenge to the rich ruler exposes how possessions can subtly become our master, making it nearly impossible to enter the kingdom without radical trust. [49:46]

- Guilt and Struggle Are Universal in Matters of Money
It’s possible to feel both gratitude for our relative wealth and deep anxiety or guilt over our struggles. Jesus acknowledges the complexity of our relationship with money—how we can be both blessed and burdened by it. The invitation is not to shame, but to honesty and compassion, recognizing that God sees and cares for us in our struggles, regardless of our bank balance. [52:41]

- The Kingdom of God Levels the Playing Field
In God’s economy, the distinctions between rich and poor, successful and struggling, are erased. All are invited, all are valued, and all are called to live out the golden rule—treating others with the same care and generosity we desire for ourselves. This radical equality is a challenge to the world’s values and a comfort to those who feel they don’t measure up. [01:06:17]

- True Freedom Is Found in Letting Go
The paradox of Jesus’ teaching is that the more we release our hold on possessions and security, the freer we become. Trusting God with our lives and resources opens us to deeper relationships, greater generosity, and a peace that money cannot buy. The leap of faith may feel like falling, but it lands us in the arms of a God who is always good and always enough. [01:09:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Opening Gratitude
[05:31] - Community Announcements
[08:28] - Celebrating Youth Baptisms
[11:35] - Embracing Diversity in Worship
[14:30] - Partnering with Other Churches
[17:04] - Language Barriers and Unity
[18:57] - Opening Prayer
[40:59] - Introduction to Parables
[42:44] - The Challenge of Wealth
[46:22] - The Rich Ruler’s Question
[48:25] - Jesus’ Radical Invitation
[49:46] - The Eye of the Needle
[51:13] - Wrestling with Wealth and Guilt
[54:10] - Jumping Fully into the Kingdom
[56:58] - The Cliff-Jumping Story
[01:03:33] - Surrender Feels Like Falling
[01:06:17] - The Kingdom’s Radical Equality
[01:09:58] - Freedom in Letting Go
[01:10:33] - Closing Prayer
[01:27:58] - Honoring Longtime Leaders
[01:28:52] - Final Blessing and Farewell

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide

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### Bible Reading

Luke 18:18-30 (NIV)
> A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
> “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
> You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
> “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
> When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
> When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.
> Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
> Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
> Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
> Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
> Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God
> will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

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### Observation Questions

1. What did Jesus ask the rich ruler to do in order to have treasure in heaven? (Luke 18:22)
2. How did the rich ruler respond to Jesus’ challenge, and why? (Luke 18:23)
3. According to Jesus, how difficult is it for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? What image does he use to describe this? (Luke 18:24-25)
4. In the sermon, what modern examples were given to show how people try to protect what they have? [42:44]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus told the rich ruler to sell everything and give to the poor, instead of just telling him to be generous? What does this reveal about the ruler’s heart? (Luke 18:22)
2. The sermon mentioned that most of us are wealthier than much of the world, yet many still struggle and feel anxious about money. How does this tension affect our ability to trust God? [52:41]
3. Jesus says, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” What does this mean in the context of surrendering wealth and security? (Luke 18:27)
4. The sermon compared following Jesus to jumping off a cliff into murky water, not knowing what’s below. What does this metaphor say about the nature of faith and surrender? [01:03:33]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said that following Jesus means “surrendering our grip on what we think keeps us safe.” What is one thing (money, possessions, status, etc.) you find yourself holding onto for security? What would it look like to loosen your grip on it? [01:03:33]
2. Have you ever felt guilty about your financial situation—either for having more than others or for struggling to make ends meet? How does Jesus’ invitation to honesty and compassion (not shame) change the way you view your own situation? [52:41]
3. The rich ruler walked away sad because he couldn’t let go of his wealth. Is there something in your life that you sense God might be asking you to let go of, but you’re afraid to? What’s holding you back? (Luke 18:23)
4. The sermon talked about the “leap of faith” feeling like losing control. Can you share a time when you took a risky step of faith, not knowing what would happen? What did you learn about God through that experience? [01:03:33]
5. In God’s kingdom, the rich and poor stand equal, and our value isn’t measured by what we possess. How can you practice treating others with the same care and generosity you desire for yourself this week? [01:06:17]
6. The message said, “True freedom is found in letting go.” What is one practical step you can take this week to live more freely and generously, trusting God with your needs? [01:09:58]
7. The sermon mentioned that wealth can be both a blessing and a barrier. How can you use what you have—whether a lot or a little—to bless others and grow in trust toward God? [49:46]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to trust God more fully, to let go of what holds them back, and to experience the freedom and belonging that comes from surrendering to Jesus.

Devotional

Day 1: You Cannot Serve Both God and Money
Jesus teaches that it is impossible to serve both God and money, as our hearts will inevitably be devoted to one and despise the other. The pull of wealth and the need to protect what we have can easily become a rival to our devotion to God, making it difficult to fully trust Him with our lives and resources. In a world where money is required for basic needs and security, it is easy to fall into the trap of relying on wealth rather than on God, even when we know that everything can be lost in an instant. Jesus’ words challenge us to examine where our true allegiance lies and to recognize how easily money can become an idol, subtly shaping our priorities and decisions. [44:34]

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection: What is one way you find yourself relying on money for security instead of trusting God? How can you take a small step today to shift your trust toward Him?


Day 2: The Challenge of Surrendering Wealth
When Jesus encounters the rich ruler, He calls him to sell all he has, give to the poor, and follow Him, revealing how difficult it is for those with wealth to enter the kingdom of God. The story highlights that even those who have kept the commandments can still be held back by their attachment to possessions, and that surrendering what we hold most tightly is often the hardest step in following Jesus. The image of a camel going through the eye of a needle underscores the near impossibility of entering God’s kingdom while clinging to wealth, yet Jesus assures us that what is impossible for us is possible with God. This passage invites us to consider what we are unwilling to let go of and to trust that God’s way leads to true treasure. [49:46]

Luke 18:18-30 (ESV)
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Reflection: What is one possession or comfort you find hardest to surrender to God? What would it look like to offer it to Him today?


Day 3: Jumping Fully Into the Kingdom of God
Entering the kingdom of God is like standing on the edge of a cliff, uncertain of what lies beneath, and choosing to jump in with both feet—fully surrendering control and trusting God with the outcome. This kind of faith is not safe or comfortable; it feels risky, like falling into unknown waters, but it is the only way to experience the freedom and life that Jesus offers. Holding onto what we have—our security, our plans, our resources—keeps us from fully participating in God’s kingdom, but letting go opens us up to God’s provision and presence in ways we could never orchestrate ourselves. The call is to trust that, even when we cannot see what’s ahead, God is good and will catch us. [01:03:33]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God asking you to take a leap of faith? What is one step you can take today to trust Him more fully?


Day 4: The Kingdom of God Is for Everyone—Rich and Poor Alike
In God’s kingdom, the distinctions that the world makes between rich and poor, successful and struggling, are erased; all are invited and valued equally. Jesus’ teaching upends the world’s standards of worth and success, reminding us that God’s kingdom is more expansive and inclusive than we often imagine. This truth frees us from comparison and guilt, and calls us to treat others with dignity and compassion, living out the golden rule in our relationships. When we let go of our grip on status and possessions, we are able to see others as God sees them and to participate in a community marked by generosity and grace. [01:08:05]

James 2:5 (ESV)
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

Reflection: How can you intentionally show equal value and kindness to someone today, regardless of their status or wealth?


Day 5: Surrender Feels Like Falling, But God Is Good
Letting go of control and surrendering to God can feel like falling—scary, uncertain, and vulnerable—but we can trust that God is ultimately safe, loving, and good. The act of surrender is not about recklessness, but about releasing our need to manage every outcome and believing that God cares for us more than we can imagine. As we loosen our grip on what we have and who we think we need to be, we discover a deeper freedom and peace that comes from trusting in God’s character and promises. Even when it’s hard to remember, God is faithful to care for us and invites us to live with open hands and hearts. [01:10:33]

1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Reflection: What anxiety or burden are you holding onto today? How can you practice releasing it to God and trusting in His care?

Quotes