Tulip Street Christian Church

Step Four is where the 12 Steps get brutally honest. After three steps of surrender, now comes the hard part: taking a fearless moral inventory of yourself. Research shows that while 95% of people think they're self-aware, only 10-15% actually are. Through the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector who climbed a tree just to see Jesus, we discover that transformation doesn't come from cleaning up our act first, but from being willing to let God reveal what's really inside us. This sermon tackles the uncomfortable work of "hugging the cactus," examining everything from resentments and fears to sexual conduct and character flaws. Using 1 Corinthians 13's description of love as a self-examination tool, you'll be challenged to ask hard questions: Am I patient or impatient? Kind or mean? Self-seeking or others-focused? The truth is painful to face, but healing awaits on the other side. Because you're only as sick as your secrets, and if you're not willing to shine light into those dark corners, you'll never find the freedom you're looking for.tulipstreet.com

Exploring one of the Bible's most underrated books, this message tells the story of Onesimus, a runaway slave who stole from his master Philemon but encountered Paul in Rome and became a Christian. Paul sends him back with a radical offer: "If he owes you anything, charge it to me." This mirrors our own story, we are Onesimus, running from the debt of our sin. Just as Paul paid a debt he didn't owe, Jesus paid the debt we couldn't pay with His life. We all serve something, social media, relationships, money, or politics. The question is: who's your master? Your debt has already been paid. Will you accept it?

Walking Free: The Gospel in 12 StepsMake 5:25-34I can't. He can. I think I'll let him. This is the nutshell-version of the first three steps. Step three is all about faith - putting our trust in God, as we understand him - and making a decision to turn our will and lives over to him. All it takes is for you to stretch out your hand and trust the man on the middle cross.

Walking Free: The Gospel in 12 StepsMatthew 14:22-32The second step in the process is coming to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. What does that mean? It's the belief that there is hope beyond what we are capable of within ourselves. I can't, but God can. That's step two.tulipstreet.com

WALKING FREE: The Gospel in 12 StepsIn this series we will take an in depth look at the 12 Steps of AA which have transformed countless lives over the past 90 years. We are applying these steps of recovery to our journey of discipleship because they go hand in hand. The first step is to admit powerlessness and face the illusion of control. In order to win, we must first surrender.tulipstreet.com