The Last Word is Always Grace

Key Takeaways
The Power of Baptism: Baptism is not just a ritual; it is where God acts to drown the "old self" and rise us to new life in righteousness.

God-Sightings: Practice is required to see God in the world. These "epiphanies" are personal revelations that help us understand God's love in our unique contexts.

The Three-Legged Stool: Our faith rests on three pillars: Scripture, Theology/Church History, and Life Experience. When these seem to conflict, we look to the heart of the Gospel—Christ’s grace.

A Welcoming Heart: Being an affirming congregation means recognizing that while humans wrote the text, God wrote Grace. We prioritize the command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Reflection Questions
Where have you seen God lately? If grace were a painting or a hug, what would it look like or feel like to you today?

The Wilderness Period: Jesus went into the desert to reflect on his epiphany. Do you allow yourself space to meditate and pray after you experience a holy moment?

Tension in Faith: How do you navigate passages of Scripture that feel at odds with the love and justice you see God working in the world today?

Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:13-17