Stories of Jesus Church (Gospels) History Matthew Acts Mark Luke John
Gentile Letters Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon
Jewish Letters Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude
Apocalyptic Letter Revelation
Fuel: Inspiration for the Journey Our ongoing challenge is to keep in step with God, rather than running ahead of what He’s doing, or re-treading steps from a previous stage This story has a trajectory, from the garden to the city always via the mount of crucifixion. We must be persons shaped by the story, sensitive to the Spirit Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream shaped by God’s story, calling for justice in the present in line with a future where God’s reign will be everyone’s reality Have you entered this epic? Do you know where you are in God’s story? How can ancient stories carry authority for the journey I’m on right now? And how can I faithfully enter this six stage epic? I want to keep in step with God, rather than running ahead of what God’s doing. And I don’t want to re-tread steps from a previous leg. This is the ongoing challenge for all people of God. Peter had to improvise when the Spirit spoke to Cornelius. James had to reappropriate God’s requirements for Gentiles at the Jerusalem Council. And three centuries ago, William Wilberforce had to challenge misreadings of Scripture which kept Africans enslaved. This story has a trajectory. It’s heading from the garden to the city, always via the mount of crucifixion. So we each need to be persons shaped by the story—sensitive to God’s Spirit, listening for how He would have us live today. How different would the world be if God’s Word had this kind of authority in our lives—if we were truly people of the book? I get a glimpse through the life of one African-American man who came in the name of love: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When MLK was assassinated early morning of April 4, 1968, there were many things he could be remembered for. In his short 39 years, this Baptist Minister had risen to international fame by fighting for civil rights. He was the youngest recipient ever of a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded fifty honorary degrees, the head of numerous movements, a friend of President and Pope alike. On the other hand, his own people would recall the beatings, police brutality, bomb threats, unjust nights in jail, stabbings, and run-ins with the Ku Klux Klan and racists of all stripes. 28