Let It Be
Scriptures: Philippians 2:3, 5-8; 4:6; Ephesians 4:25, 29; 1 John 4:7
The title of my message this morning is “Let It Be.” Two weeks ago I asked all of us to make a choice, a choice to be all in for Christ in 2019. Making this choice requires each of us to change how we think and how we respond to the world around us. It requires us to make a transition. Whenever a decision is made, actions must take place to bring the decision made into reality. For example, if someone makes the decision to lose weight, they must follow up that decision with action. They will not be able to see the results of their decision coming to past without there being some action on their part to change how they eat and/or exercise. So in conjunction with the decision to lose weight comes the decision to eat differently and possibly exercise more. That decision begins to fulfill the requirements needed to make the decision to lose weight a reality. Previously I asked you to make the choice to be all in and this week I want to share with you some of the supplemental decisions (action steps) that will be a requirement in order to bring that decision into reality. In order to bring any decision into reality we must have and execute on a plan that will dictate our actions and this morning I want to share with you how we can bring our decision to be all in for Christ in 2019 into reality. It starts with our understanding to “let it be.” What do I mean by this?
In 1970 the Beatles published a song that became one of my favorites at the time even though I did not know they were singing it. It would come on the radio and I would listen as the words spoke to me. The song was written by Paul McCartney. According to published documents, supposedly in 1970 Paul McCartney felt isolated from the group during a time when the group was having difficulties. He was also the lone member of the group who was not married. Because of the problems the group was experiencing and his loneliness, he was spending a lot of his time partying and drinking. One night after a wild night of partying, he had a dream in which his mother Mary appeared to him and told him to let things be; that things would work out. The next day he wrote the song “Let It Be.” When I first heard the song at the age of nine, I actually thought it was a gospel song as it spoke to me just as other gospel songs did. It was years later that I discovered who wrote and sung the song and that it was not a gospel song. (For those of you laughing, remember when I was nine all we had was the TV, radio and library for learning information. There was no internet to make Google inquiries.) The song spoke to me because of the first sentence: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” Like many I thought he was referencing the mother of Jesus but he was actually talking his own mother. The song gave me a sense of peace that sometimes you just have to let things be. In my mind as a child I linked this song to what Jesus said it John 14:1, “Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
As we dedicate ourselves to being all in for Christ, I do not want you thinking that all we need to do is “let things be.” No, what I will be sharing with you is all about taking actions to “let it be.” Let’s take a minute and talk about what those three words, “let”, “it” and “be” means. I am simplifying these meanings as they can be confusing.
• LET is a transitive verb. We use this word every day but I’m not sure we understand and appreciate how truly significant it is. As a transitive verb, “let” is relationship oriented and has two characteristics. First, it is an action verb, expressing a doable activity like kick, want, paint, write, eat, etc. Second, it must have a direct object for its actions; something or someone who receives the action. The word “let” gives cause to. It can be used to introduce a request or proposal or be used to express a warning. This morning the actions we’re going to focus on are the actions that support our decision to go all in for Christ. “Let” is a simple word but it contains a lot of power! When we “let” we are deciding to allow something to happen. When we don’t “let” we are deciding not to allow something to happen. Are you with me? Now let’s look at “it.” (Did you see it? Based on my statement “let’s look at it” you are in action mode to examine the next word – so let’s do just that.”)
• IT is a word that is used as subject of an impersonal verb (one that has no determinate subject) that expresses a condition or action without reference to an agent. It is used with many verbs as a direct object with little or no meaning. For example, if I tell you “It’s raining outside” you will know that rain is falling but the statement does not define who is making it rain. So “it” is used as an object of anything as “it” is all inclusive when used with another verb. The last word is “be.”
• BE means to equal in meaning; have the same connotation. It means to have identity with; to constitute the same idea or object as the original. To have an objective existence: have reality or actuality (i.e. I think therefore I am.) As an intransitive verb it is used after “it” as the subject of the clause; to give a description or judgment of something. Unlike the transitive verb “let”, the intransitive verb does not take a direct object. In other words, there is no word in the sentence that tells you who or what received the action. Intransitive verbs cannot be followed by “who” or “what”.
Let It Be. Let me attempt to tie this up with a nice little bow so you know exactly where we are going with the Scriptural references. These three words, Let, It, and Be forms a sentence that demonstrates action. It is interesting that all three words are related to some form of action. Three different words giving hint to three different types of actions. While “let” gives cause to; “it” can be anything and all-inclusive. “Be” on the other hand does not have a direct object so it too can be used to describe anything. So the word “let” gives the action to whatever “it” and “be” represents. Are you with me? As we go through these verses remember “let” is the word that’s demanding the actions on our part of what “it” and “be” represents. One final thing I want to stress before we go to the Word of God, God “lets” — chooses to allow — our decisions to stand. He will not go against them. It is important that we understand and always remember that God cannot override our decisions so the choices we make will stand firm with Him. Only we can undo a decision that we make. Amen?
Now, as we make the decision to go all in for Christ in 2019……
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who, being in the form of God, thought it not a thing to be grasped to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
What are we letting happen? We are letting ourselves think like Christ thought as it relates to being obedient. He was obedient unto death. Let this be our mindset also. We will be obedient to fulfill all that God is leading us to do. Amen? In our obedience, we will.…..
“Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
As we transition we are not letting anything be done through strife or personal glory. We are seeking to appreciate and value others as more valuable than ourselves regardless of their station in life. Amen? We will….
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
And……
“Let not sin therefore reign (act as king) in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. (Romans 6:12)
We will give others reason to glorify God based on how we are living in these last days. Sin will no longer rule in our lives or determine our footsteps as we are choosing to walk a new path. Amen? As we walk this path……..
“…..let us not be weary (give up, lose hope) in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)
And….
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Hebrews 4:14)
Quitting is not an option for us. Changing our minds when the going gets tough is not an option for us. Getting offended and stopping the work is not an option for us. Getting tired; burnt out; and lazy is not an option for us! We shall reap our rewards because we will not give up! Amen? We will…..
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” (Ephesians 4:25)
“Let no corrupt communication (“Don’t say or do anything that disagrees with scripture!) proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
We are not going to allow our angry moments to cause us to sin as we forget to esteem others as more valuable than ourselves. We will always be watchful of what we say so that our words will always edify and minister grace to the hearers. Amen? We will…..
“Be careful (don’t fret or be anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“….let the peace of God rule (reign, govern how you respond) in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
We will not stress and worry over things that are out of our control as we will consistently turn everything over to Jesus and allow Him to work it out. We will allow God’s peace to rule our hearts. Amen? And finally..…..
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God.” (I John 4:7)
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:22-25)
“Let, It, and Be” are little words that carries a lot of weight in the realm of the spirit. They will determine how much of God’s desires get fulfilled in our life. More importantly, they may well determine where we spend eternity. How much we “let” God also determines our rewards in heaven. The more we “let” God’s desires (His heart) become our desires (our heart) the more He will be able to flow through us and accomplish His will in our life. Now please keep this in mind: “Let” is a word that says we, not God, have the final say determining how much our hearts beat in sync with God’s heart. “Be” and “It” are words of affirmation; being in agreement with whatever God’s will is. We make the choice; we fulfill the choice! When our “let” becomes a “no” to God, it closes the door to everything He desires for you. Our “lets” should be such that we keep the door open to God and our spirits in sync with His Spirit
Let It Be! As we go through 2019 we will let it be! We will “let” God “be” whatever He needs to be in our lives. As I close this morning I want to share this with you. Whenever we pray we end the prayer with what word? Yes, we say “Amen.” When you look up the definition of “Amen”, you will find that it means “So be it.” So be it is an affirmative statement meaning that you are in agreement with what has been said. How many times did you say “Amen” today? If you said Amen only when I asked you, you said it seven times. You professed your affirmation on seven different occasions throughout this message. Paul told the Corinthians, “For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes (answer) in Him (Christ). For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him (in His person and by His agency) to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20, Amp) Whenever we say “Amen” we are saying to God, “So Be It.” I am asking you now to say “Amen” to what God has in store for us. It is time to go forth. We have made our decision and now we have some of our plans in place as to what we need to do to go forth. Let us now get started in reshaping our lives and this Church. Amen!
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
(If you are ever in the Kansas City, KS area, please come and worship with us at New Light Christian Fellowship, 15 N. 14th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102. Our service Sunday worship starts at 9 a.m. and Thursday night Bible study at 7 p.m. We look forward to you worshipping with us. May God bless and keep you.)
