Let Him Before You Let Them

What if the thing you’ve been trying hardest to control is the very thing keeping you from peace?

We all do it.

We plan, predict, push, and post. We try to make things turn out “just right.”We hold our families close, our calendars tight, and our expectations even tighter.

We call it responsibility, but sometimes it’s really fear wearing a mask.

We fear losing control — because control feels safe.But what if letting go is actually the safest thing you could ever do?

This January, we’re starting a powerful new series at Mountain Ridge called Let Him Before You Let Them — and it’s going to hit home for anyone who’s ever carried the weight of “what if.”

What if they walk away?

What if it doesn’t work out?

What if I’m not enough?

This series is about releasing control and rediscovering peace. Because when you let Him lead, He meets your needs.

🌿  Winning Comes from Losing Control

Jesus says something that completely flips our world upside down:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 NIV)

Let’s be honest — that’s not a verse that sells self-help books. We live in a world that says, “Find yourself.” Jesus says, “Deny yourself.”Our culture says, “Take control.” Jesus says, “Let go.”

It sounds backwards, but it’s the way forward.

Because when you stop fighting for control, you start finding freedom.When you release your grip on outcomes, you start discovering peace.

In Week 1, we will unpack how the paradox of faith — losing control to win at life — is actually the invitation your heart’s been waiting for. It’s not about being passive or careless. It’s about learning to trust that God’s leadership is better than your management.

If you’ve ever felt like life was spinning faster than you could hold it together…this week is for you.

❤️ People Will Walk Away — Love Gives Freedom

The story of the rich young ruler might be one of the most relatable moments in Scripture. A good person. A moral person. A person who wants to do the right thing.

And Jesus loves him enough to let him walk away.

Love that controls isn’t love at all — it’s fear dressed up as protection.

In Week 2, we’re diving into the heart of relationships — where love and freedom collide. Because the truth is, whether you’re a parent, a spouse, or a friend… you can’t control people into peace. You can only love them toward it.

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means giving space for God to work.

That child who’s drifting? That friend who’s distant? That spouse who’s struggling?You don’t have to fix them — you have to trust Him.

This week will be deeply freeing for anyone who’s been carrying the emotional weight of someone else’s choices.

Love gives freedom, and freedom invites transformation.

🧭 Maturity Includes Letting People Make Their Own Decisions

It’s hard to watch people make decisions you wouldn’t.Especially when you care about them. Especially when you’re sure you’re right.

But Romans 14 reminds us: God is the judge. We are not.

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how right we think we are — but by how well we love when others think differently.

In Week 3, we’ll talk about releasing the need to control others’ journeys.Because faith that requires uniformity isn’t faith — it’s insecurity.True maturity means giving others space to grow, fail, and learn… just like God gives us.

This message will feel like a deep breath — especially in a world where everyone’s arguing, posting, and judging.

You’ll leave reminded that you can stand firm in truth without losing compassion.

🌱 You Don’t Need Approval to Walk in God’s Purpose

We check the “approval ratings” of our lives like we check our phones.

Did they notice?

Did they like it?

Do they think I’m doing enough?

But here’s the truth: You can’t fulfill God’s purpose while living for people’s applause.

In Week 4, we’ll explore how Paul reminds the Corinthians that he doesn’t live for their approval — only for God’s.

When you let go of needing everyone to understand or agree, you finally start living free.

This message will empower anyone who’s been people-pleasing, doubting themselves, or wondering if they’re enough. You’ll discover that purpose doesn’t come from validation — it comes from obedience.

And that’s where peace begins.

🌤 When You Surrender Control, You Receive Peace

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Those words sound peaceful — until you actually try to live them.

Because being still in a world that rewards hustle, grind, and noise feels almost impossible.But stillness isn’t inactivity. It’s inner trust.

In Week 5, we’ll explore how surrender isn’t about giving up — it’s about opening up.When you let go of revenge, resentment, or the need to “fix” everything, you make space for peace to move in.

God’s peace isn’t earned; it’s received.And sometimes, the only thing standing in the way of it… is our need to be in charge.

This week, you’ll learn how to breathe again — to live in the kind of calm that only comes when you know God’s got it, even when you don’t.

☀️ Peace Is a Gift, Not a Goal

“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

You don’t chase peace. You receive it.

You don’t earn it. You open your heart to it.

In the finale of this series, we’ll explore how peace isn’t a reward for good behavior — it’s a byproduct of trust.

Paul tells us to rejoice, to pray, to focus our minds on what’s true and good — not because it changes our circumstances, but because it changes us.

Week 6 is your reminder that peace isn’t “out there” waiting for things to calm down.It’s already here — when you let go and let Him lead.

💬 So Why “Let Him Before You Let Them”?

It’s an unusual title — and that’s on purpose.

Because this series is about something deep: learning to let Him — Jesus — lead before you try to manage or control them — the people, situations, or outcomes in your life.

It’s about putting trust before tension.

It’s about surrendering to God’s way before stressing over everyone else’s.

It’s about releasing your grip earlier — with love instead of frustration.

We often let go only after we’ve tried everything else. This series invites you to let God first.

To let Him lead before you let them go.

To let Him work before you step in.

To let His peace define your relationships, your mindset, and your heart.

💡 Why This Series Matters Right Now

Our culture is obsessed with control.

We control our image, our environment, our kids’ schedules, our social feeds, our health plans — everything. We even try to control how other people see God.

But the more control we crave, the more anxiety we create.

The truth? Control is an illusion. Peace is a promise.

If you’re tired of carrying the weight of everyone else’s outcomes…

If you’re exhausted trying to make everything “just right”…

If you long for a faith that feels lighter, freer, calmer…

Then Let Him Before You Let Them was made for you.

Over six weeks, you’ll discover that God’s leadership is not about losing your life — it’s about finally living it. You’ll learn how to trust again, love without fear, and find peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances.

You’ll laugh. You might cry. You’ll definitely breathe easier.

🙌 A Personal Note from Pastor Brett

“We live in a world that tells us to take control — of our lives, our kids, our careers, our relationships. But Jesus offers us a better way: let go.

This series is deeply personal to me because I’ve lived this tension as a husband, dad, brother, and friend. The truth is, you can’t experience the life God wants for you while you’re still holding on to everything He’s asking you to release.

My prayer is that during these six weeks, you’ll experience the kind of peace that only comes when you stop trying to be in charge and start trusting that God already is.”

🕊 What You’ll Experience at Mountain Ridge

• Real Teaching for Real Life:

  Each message is designed to connect Sunday faith to Monday life. You’ll leave inspired — and equipped to live it out.

  
  

• Welcoming Community:

  Whether it’s your first time or your first time back in a while, you’ll find people who see you, know you, and want you to belong.

  
  

• Inspiring Worship:

  Music that helps you breathe, reflect, and respond to what God’s doing in your heart.

  
  

• Next Steps for Everyone:

  
  

  From kids to students to adults — there’s a place to grow, connect, and serve.

📍Join us for Let Him Before You Let Them

Sundays, January 11 – February 15

9:15 & 10:45 AM

23104 N 67th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85310

💬 Want to Invite a Friend?

We’ve made it simple. Text or tell them:

“Hey, my church is starting a series about releasing control and finding peace — it’s called Let Him Before You Let Them. I think you’d really like it. Want to come with me Sunday?”

✨ Final Thought

You don’t have to hold everything together. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to let go.

This January, step into a new rhythm — one of freedom, peace, and trust.

Because when you let Him lead, He meets your needs.

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