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books by tim rupp
A Preaching Primer
Basic Homiletics
Preaching is simple. It can be defined as, “Speaking God’s word to people.” However, preaching is also complex. It is both an art and a science. It is both a gift and a task. It will bring out the best or the worse in people. In this primer, Pastor Tim Rupp walks the student-preacher step-by-step how to write and deliver a biblically based expository sermon.
Moral Injury in Policing
“This is the most important book on Moral Injury ever written”—Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, USA (Ret)
Policing in America is dangerous—especially in recent years. Law enforcement officers need to be constantly vigilant. Danger lurks everywhere. But not all danger is physical or even mental. There’s a spiritual danger. Only now is this danger beginning to be addressed in policing. But who are the experts in this area? Who should take the lead? Physical health professionals tend to the physical. Mental health professionals tend to the mental. Who are the spiritual health professionals?
Tim combines his experience and knowledge as a law enforcement officer, pastor, and chaplain to address moral injury in policing head-on. He pulls no punches. He writes like officers want—straight and to the point. Moral Injury in Policing teaches officers to be spiritually vigilant to both protect and heal from moral injury.
No More Delay
A Pastor's Commentary on Revelation
“And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay”—Revelation 10:5-6
Since the beginning of time man has feared the end of time. Urgency is in the air. The end seems to loom on the horizon. When will the end come? When will God make all things right? The Apostle John is told there would be “no more delay.”
God will bring human history to a close—soon! For God’s people the end will be bitter-sweet. Sweet, because we know God is closing history as he promised. Bitter, because with the end will be further persecution of God’s people by the Antichrist and his followers. However, this severe persecution would be limited to three and a half years.
Pistol in the Pulpit
Active Shooter—a term recently coined that sends chills up the spines of principles, teachers, parents…and now pastors and parishioners. The FBI defines an active shooter as “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms.” Active Killer is a more fitting term. What is the biblical approach to this threat? Christians are struggling with how to respond. Do we trust God and pray for his protection? Do we “turn the other cheek” and do nothing when someone threatens to kill us? Do we take up arms to defend ourselves and others? Christians who choose the responsibility of employing lethal force must be informed by both a spiritual and tactical foundation. Not only is there a proper biblical response, there is also a proper tactical response. What are these proper responses? These critical questions are answered in Pistol in the Pulpit.
Suicide is Not an Option
America’s law enforcement officers are significantly more likely to die by suicide than being murdered in the line of duty. For years mental health professionals have come alongside officers with treatment, assistance, and counsel. Yet, the suicide rate continues to increase. Can this ever-increasing suicide rate among these warriors be stopped? In “Suicide is Not an Option” Tim approaches suicide from a spiritual health perspective. His police experience enables him to relate the challenges faced by officers today. Using personal accounts, clear language, and practical reasoning, he argues there is meaning to life beyond the individual. A meaning so deep it transcends life on earth. Humans are not only physical and mental beings, but spiritual beings who yearn for a yet to be experienced life beyond. This eternal hope instilled in every person gives meaning to life and a reason to hope. Hope for more, hope for new, hope for better. Tim believes that this intrinsic hope is a key to reduce not only the suicide rate among our warriors, but across humanity.
The Time of the End
A Pastor's Commentary on Daniel
Since the beginning of time man has feared the end of time. This fear has become more prevalent in recent days. People have thought of all kinds of ways in which the world will end: Nuclear war, climate change, AIDS, the COVID virus or some other disease, or perhaps an invasion from another planet or galaxy. The list is endless. But God’s word has the answer for us. Funny how God seems to have the answers to life’s most important questions.
War, natural disasters, and disease all work to destroy life on this planet. But it won’t be people, an out-of-control madman, or some catastrophic natural disaster that will bring the end. It will be God who unleashes his wrath in righteous judgment. The fact of the matter is God began world history, and he will end it. But by God’s grace and mercy some will escape his wrath and enter eternal rest.
Vengeance is Mine
It was 1863, America was split by war. Texas farmer and former lawman, Levi Horn is called to serve for the South, leaving his teenage son to watch over the family. A band of outlaws led by a revenge-driven escaped convict attacks Horn’s family and farm. Torn between vengeance and justice, sixteen-year-old Luke Horn sets off on the trail of the outlaws.
Vengeance is Mine Too
Just when you think the adventure is over, you find it just began. Luke, Joe Ray, and Jack aren't finished righting wrongs. The Civil War was tearing America apart and renegade Confederate soldiers were wreaking havoc in Texas. The outlaw soldiers made the mistake of thinking Luke was still a boy. He wasn't. Luke was forced into manhood and accepted the responsibilities manhood demands while he struggled with his own demons.
Vengeance is His
Luke didn’t start it, but he was ready to finish it...
“I bounded to my feet, spun, pointed the .44 at the man with pistol. His gun was still pointed at my bedroll I pressed my index finger, the pistol recoiled in my hand. Trusting that my shot hit its mark, I thumbed the hammer back and turned to face the other two…”
Warriors for the Faith
Life is a story. A good movie or book places us “in” the action. We feel like we can relate to, and understand the characters. We cheer for the hero and disdain the villain. Two-thirds of the Bible is written in historical narrative—stories about people. Jesus taught using stories. The stories in the Bible are replete with drama, mystery, and even humor. Like popular movies and novels, Bible stories have intriguing plots of love, friendship, betrayal, competition, murder, and war. Yet, many times they seem boring and we have trouble relating to the characters. Through first-person historical narrative , Pastor Tim Rupp brings biblical characters to life and allows them to tell their stories.
Winning a Gunfight
Does physically surviving a gunfight mean you won? Not by a long shot. Many people survive gunfights. In fact, most people who are in a gunfight survive. But there’s a difference between surviving and winning. Surviving means you continue to exist. Continuing to exist and winning are not the same. Career police officer and author Tim Rupp has been on both sides of a gunfight—being investigated after being in a gunfight and investigating citizens and officers who have been in shootings. Drawing from personal and professional experiences as a patrol officer, homicide detective, and police sergeant, Rupp takes you through what you’ll face in a gunfight. Before picking up a gun for personal protection or the protection of others you need to prepare yourself for what you’ll face before, during, and after a gunfight. Winning a Gunfight prepares you ethically, mentally, and tactically how to win a gunfight. Winning a Gunfight is a must read for police officers, military, and armed citizens.
Winning is More than Surviving
Police and military chaplains are called on to minister to those who kill. Violence is shunned in our society, but justified violence is sometimes necessary to stop unjustified violence. Even the wise King Solomon said, there is “a time to kill” (Eccl. 3:3). While most of society recoils in fear at violence, some are called to enter that violent world and protect. There are warriors among us who take up arms and protect those unable or unwilling to protect themselves. But who helps the warriors? Chaplains are called to minister to the spiritual needs of these warriors. To be effective, members of the clergy need to understand the dynamics of using lethal force. Winning is More than Surviving is a supplemental guide to Winning a Gunfight for clergy to use as they minister to these warriors.
