Pastor Tim Jupp

One cannot help but conclude that God is still active among His children, believers and unbelievers, righteous and unrighteous. The hand of providence moves the lives of those aware of it and not. Make NO mistake; God is still on the throne. NO man, woman, church, country or kingdom will stand that God is against or will fall that God is for. I think God moves His pieces on the board of life most often without our notice with so many eyes wide shut, but when He has opened the eyes of our heart we may suddenly notice His moves. It’s all about the timing! His timing! (TIM JUPP) God’s eternity is not only beyond time, but somehow embraces all time as well. The ontological distinction between past, present, and future is nullified. All are present at once to God’s timeless gaze. Thus, God “knows the flight of time in His eternity, in the way that a person standing on top of a watchtower embraces in a single glance a whole caravan of passing travelers,” (ANDREW BRENNER UOF) TEXT: 2 KINGS 8:1-15 SONGS: HAND OF PROVIDENCE, MICHAEL W. SMITH THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD, WORSHIP INITIATIVE LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS, BIG HOUSE WORSHIP TRUMP SHOOTING EVIDENCE, JOSH BALDWIN ONE DAY, WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN, MATT REDMAN

As clearly as the four lepers and the young prophet in training all have the eyes of their heart opened to the redemption at hand, the two kings Ben-Hadad and Jehoram absolutely never get it. They each experience God’s repeated mercy, yet neither are able to see it. Though God be shown merciful and loving, though He is exposed to be long suffering and patient and though He is seen to be the God of the second chance to the second chance, there is nothing in the rebellious, unregenerate man that will choose to submit to a God that he still sees as nothing more than authority. His, “eyes are wide shut”! The passage which is now to engage our attention needs to be read at a sitting, so as to perceive its connections, its unit and its wonders. In it there is a striking mingling of light and shade: the dark background of human depravity and the bright display of the prophet’s faith; the exercise of God’s justice in His sore judgments upon a rebellious and wayward people, and the manifestation of His amazing mercy and grace. A.W.PINK He is ever ready with his mercy, he waits to be gracious, yes, he is always beforehand with us in his grace, but he is very slow footed in punishment; Verily he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. C.H.SPURGEON TEXT: 2 KINGS 6:24-7:20 SONGS: OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, PAUL BALOCHE HOLY HOLY HOLY, MISSION WORSHIP HEART OF WORSHIP, MATT REDMAN JUST AS I AM HIS MERCY IS MORE, MATT BOSWELL

The theme on provision and redemption through God’s mercy continues in this section. Remember that Elijah had predicted that Ahab’s sons would meet utter obliteration. Yet in this story, God shows tremendous mercy and patience to Jehoram but he never sees what Elisha’s humble servant sees. The captured Syrians soldiers are fed and released: Nahaam heart would have seen God’s mercy but Ben Hadad’s did not. The ‘eyes of his heart’ were never opened. The ‘eyes of the heart’ are opened for the lowly and those called to righteousness, ‘that you may know, what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.’ Ephesians 1:18 What Elisha’s servant was really blind to was the goodness of God. He might have claimed that God was mighty to save, but in the moment of his greatest need, he lost sight of that. So instead of praying for strength, Elisha prays for vision. And his servant’s eyes are opened to see the armies of God’s love surrounding the murderous hoards of Arameans. “Both believer and unbeliever alike need to see a fresh glimpse of God’s love. That one look will do more than 10,000 practical points or doctrinal lessons.” J.D. GREEAR TEXT : 2 KINGS 6:8-23 SONGS: BATTLE BELONGS, PHIL WICKHAM GREATNESS OF OUR GOD, HILLSONG OPEN OUR EYES LORD, CITIPOINTE CHURCH TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, CHASE OAKS

"By His nature He is inclined to bestow blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the happiness of His people.The goodness of God is the drive behind all the blessings He daily bestows upon us. Out of God’s goodness flows our redemption. God acts according to the ordinary working of the laws of creation and operations of His providence. But when the Enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a more apparent and noticeable standard against him, coming out more into the open and obliging men to take cognizance of Him." It would appear the author wanted us to believe that God not only can but will do anything He sees fit to persuade His children to make their needs and requests known to their Father. Whether Israeli or gentile, male or female, rich or poor, a novice or seasoned in the word, the Father has provided a way home for the lost, a way back for the rebellious, a way of healing for the sin sick. We have not been abandoned in a wicked generation without hope but rest in the assurance, that even in dark times God the Father is still redeeming His own, whatever it takes! (T.JUPP) TEXT: 2 KINGS 4:1-6:7 SONGS: THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD, WORSHIP INTITIATIVE GOODNESS OF GOD, BETHEL JORDAN PETERSON, MIRACLES, THE STORY OF HIS WIFE TOO GOOD TO NOT BELIEVE, EMMY ROSE, BETHEL

The miracles of scripture are not for putting on a show. Miracles of scripture are not for great stories to tell the kids. The miracles of scripture are to remind you that God can do whatever He wishes to do. They are really about His sovereignty, and they are about His love for His children, to whom He shows mercy. It's about His glory, because He lost you and He wants you back. He is willing to do whatever it takes to get you back. (T. Jupp) When God’s glory is revealed—either in grand and glorious ways, or in the unassuming ways that are often His habit—it’s always to call people to believe and trust in Him. It is for His glory and our good. TEXT: 2 KINGS 2:1-7 SONGS: HOW GREAT THOU ART; MISSION HOUSE WORSHIP THIS IS MY FATHERS WORLD; MISSION HOUSE WORSHIP TOO GOOD TO NOT BELIEVE; CHRIS DAVENPORT HIS GLORY AND MY GOOD; CITY ALIGHT

"The desperate disease of man gave occasion for the introduction of that divine remedy which God alone could have devised and supplied. By the plan of mercy, and the great gift which was needed for carrying it out, the Lord found means to display his boundless love to guilty men." (Commentary) Naaman, the Syrian was cured! The general had become a father figure to a child of God before the Father took Naaman in and he became a child of God. We often talk about grace and I think, at the expense of good works. Here, God the Father sees the good works; is glorified by them and rewards the supplier. (Mat5:16) This is not at the expense of grace for no good works could possibly heal our leprosy or take away our sin! Without Christ we are as Gehazi, incurably condemned, the walking dead! TEXT: 2 KINGS: 1-19 SONGS: GOOD GOOD FATHER, CHRISTOPHER DUFFLEY HOW DEEP THE FATHERS LOVE, MISSION HOUSE WORSHIP THERE IS A FOUNTAIN (FULL OF LOVE), SHANE AND SHANE THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE BLOOD, WORSHIP INITIATIVE

There is only one thing that can destroy the power of sin - the blood of Jesus Christ. Reject Jesus, and there will be death in the pot. Trust Jesus, and there will be no harm in the pot. God’s provision will always be sufficient even in the darkness. The second story reinforces the first that God can and will make a way to feed His people their daily bread, both physically and spiritually but we must trust and eat. T.Jupp "The miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ ought to be considered; they are not trifles, and they ought not to be passed over as if they were the mere common-places of a daily newspaper. Neither earth nor heaven, time nor eternity yields choicer gems of thought than the achievements of our Lord. Remember, that since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, what he did at one time ought to be well considered, because it is the index of what he is prepared to do again, should the need arise. Still would he sooner feed his own sheep by a miracle than allow them to lack any good thing. His accomplished wonders have not exhausted his strength! When there were five thousand people to be fed and no towns and villages near enough to supply them with bread, then Christ was ready, full-handed in time of scarcity, prompt to dispense his liberality, able to meet the emergency so perfectly." C. Spurgeon TEXT: 2 KINGS 4:38-44 SONGS: TOO GOOD TO NOT BELIEVE, CHRIS DAVENPORT GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, MADI HUNT IT IS NO SECRET/ WHAT A FRIEND, SINGING CONTRACTORS

One of the great mercies of God is that He is well acquainted with our sorrows. He is a God who enters in to our lives, whether is be great joy or great grief. God often afflicts His children in the most sensible manner, that He may afterwards give them stronger tokens of His love, by delivering them, and giving them a happy issue out of their afflictions, and making those afflictions confirm them in the faith and fear of the Lord. Ostervald. I see her righteousness, her humility, her contentment, her gratefulness; her graciousness and still calamity fell on her! Note, her response was to take it to God ASAP. No one else, no delay; I believe she believed it would be well; a miracle child should have a miracle healing! Our response must still be - to take it to God! We may not see a miracle but we must know God’s intends to make good ‘all things to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’. Romans 8:28. Whether in prayer, scripture, church, counseling, comradery, take it to God! TEXT: 2 KINGS 4:8-37 SONGS: HOW GREAT THOU ART, MISSION HOUSE GRATITUDE: BRANDEN LAKE IT IS WELL, BETHEL WORSHIP IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL, HORATIO SPAFFORD

It should come as no surprise of the God who supernaturally created the universe should choose at times to supernaturally intervene in it. John MacArthur Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. Remember the goodness of God in the frost of adversity.”He will never neglect the children of His own house! “I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinks upon me,”God has a way of His own. He does His wonders as He pleases. Be content often to stand still and see the salvation of God! Be ready to obey Him, and that will be far more in accordance with your position as a finite creature than the vain attempt to map out a course for your Creator. Keep to the obeying, and rest assured He will not be behind with the providing. Charles Spurgeon The theme is complete and totally about God’s great mercy. But here we have a simple short narrative about divine provision. Our widow is overwhelmed by her need and in desperation cries to her heavenly Father. God hears our cries! He redeems us out of our poverty. Remember, redemption is a re-acquirement of the lost. We were all once a possession of God’s, He made us, He breathed life in to us and gave us His Spirit. Through our sin, He lost us. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, He bought us back again. (Pastor Tim Jupp) TEXT: 2 KINGS 4:1-7 SONGS: IN THE ROOM, MATT MAHR GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, VENTURE WORSHIP GOODNESS OF GOD, BETHANY BERNARD

The abomination was simply the straw that broke the camel’s back. The shear brutality of the battle against a peaceful brother nation was nothing more than an exercise in depraved carnage for personal retribution. As it turns out, Jehoshaphat needed to see just how evil evil is to receive Jehu’s warning fully, that helping the wicked yields wrath. Well intended compromise tends to compromise wellness. (1Kings 22) We know not what blessings befall our families, friends, neighbours, co-workers and countryman only because we are. We are salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savour, it is only useful to be cast into the street. If there is no separation, then we are in danger of being polluted by the evil. 2Corinthians 6:17 “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." TEXT: 2 KINGS 3 SONGS: BETTER IS ONE DAY, MATT REDMAN WORD OF GOD SPEAK, MERCY ME I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR, MISSION HOUSE WORSHIP GIVE US CLEAN HANDS, CHRIS TOMLIN

The cure was lasting, and not for the present only: The waters were healed unto this day, What God does shall be forever. I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. When God, by his Spirit, heals a soul, there shall be no more death nor barrenness; the property is altered: what was useless and offensive becomes grateful and serviceable. TEXT: 2 KINGS: 2:19-25 SONGS: SUCH AN AWESOME GOD, CENTURY WORSHIP GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, CHRIST FOR THE NATIONS THE BLOOD WILL NEVER LOSE IT'S POWER, REVERE WORSHIP JESUS DOES, WE THE KINGDOM

Are we willing to count the cost? Listen to heart of the story:“There it is Elisha, you’ve seen your mentor in all his troubles and now his horrific death. Will a double portion of his spiritual inheritance be enough? What troubles may come your way, confrontations loneliness, hatred? Are you sure you want to pick up that mantle? Are you really willing to follow in his footsteps?” TEXT: 2 KINGS 2:1-18 SONGS: SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, JEREMY RIDDLE NEW WINE, HILLSONG FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST, LANCASTER BAPTIST CHURCH

There are lines crossed that require a response from a Holy God, even so, in His justice, God’s grace is revealed. When God chooses thunder to reveal His will into our lives, it is still a revelation of His loving mercy, though there is some finality to it. The Father is crying out for man’s repentance before His hand of wrath falls like lightning on the arrogant refusal of His gracious mercy. The continued rejection of His truth is the continued rejection of mercy and ends in a just death sentence. Justice must come! Ahaziah is Dead! The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Judgment is his strange work; but when he executes it, his mind is plainly to be seen. When God’s power restrains Himself, then it is power indeed: The power that binds omnipotence is omnipotence surpassed.!!! God marks His enemies, and yet He bestirs not Himself but holds in His anger. If He were less divine than He is, He would long have since sent forth the whole of His thunders and emptied the cannons of heaven; He would have long ago blasted the earth with the wondrous fires of its lower regions, and man would have been utterly destroyed. TEXT: 2 KINGS 1:1-18 SONGS: AWESOME GOD, MICHAEL W. SMITH ONLY A HOLY GOD/HOLY HOLY HOLY, CITY ALIGHT RESURRENDER, HILLSONG HIS MERCY IS MORE, MATT BOSWELL

Habakkuk 1:13 says, “Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil.” It is the very nature of God to hate evil. And God always acts in accord with His character. So the existence of evil requires punishment. God would not be God if He did not punish evil. “God’s great mercy and fierce wrath are both solid realities that stretch like railroad tracks to a point beyond our comprehension." Dick Brogden Mercy does not stand alone as the attribute of God! Though God’s mercy endures forever and triumphs over justice.There is a day when mercy has run it's course and though it may continue to stand as a testimony to the great grace of God, that day is the conclusion of mercy! The continued rejection of truth is the continued rejection of mercy and ends in a just death sentence- Ahab is dead. Justice must come! TEXT: 1 KINGS 22:1-40 SONGS: BEHOLD OUR GOD, Sovereign Grace Music OPEN OUR EYES LORD, Robert Cull VIDEO CLIP, YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH, A FEW GOOD MEN MOVIE ONLY TRUST HIM, John H Stockton

The lord, who is great in power and righteous in all His ways, restrains His anger to show us mercy, not destining us for wrath, but for salvation through Jesus Christ. “The miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love.” ― Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest Dane Ortlund - Not once are we told that God is 'provoked to love' or 'provoked to mercy.' It is His anger which requires provocation; BUT..his mercy is pent up, ready to gush forth." — It might appear as if God is willing to forestall judgment against evil indefinitely. There is no such evidence here! It would only be forestalled as long as the evil one was repentant. Three years later, Ahab again inquires of the prophets of Baal and hastening his death. Yet the mercy of God continued, in that Ahab never witnessed the death of his family. The judgment was completed after the death of Ahab. This is a classic example of God’s mercy: we should never forget, our God must be provoked to wrath but His mercy endures forever. TEXT: 1 KINGS 21:15-29 SONGS: TO GOD BE THE GLORY, FANNY CROSBY HIS MERCY IS MORE, MAT BOSWELL GIVE US CLEAN HANDS, CHRIS TOMLIN SEARCH ME OH GOD, J. EDWIN ORR

Isn’t Elijah a lot like us? Didn’t the brother of our Lord declare “Elijah was a man of like passions as we are”. James 5:17. So, why such an ending? Why would Elijah fear for his life after such a great victory? Where was the great prayer warrior now? Thus says the LORD: "Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded. Jeremiah 31:16 When all goes well, we are so in danger of believing all will continue to go well that we may in fact miss what does go well. False expectations destroy careers, marriages and churches because the good is inappreciable in the shadow of the great. 1) Don’t think you can walk it alone! 2) Everyone must take a break! (remember the Sabbath) 3) You have NO idea what God is going to do!- Just that it is good For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 PASTOR TIM Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. With all these things against us, now-in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be now, whether on the mountain or in the valley.. be encouraged !! “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” SPURGEON TEXT: 1 KINGS 19:3-9 SONGS: HOW GREAT THOU ART, CALVARY LIVE WORSHIP IT IS WELL, KRISTINE DE MARCO BECAUSE HE LIVES, CROWDER LAND OF THE LIVING, YOU DON'T LIE, CHURCH OF THE CITY TESTIMONY, MR. BRIAN PARE, VISITING FROM NAPLES FLORIDA BRIAN LED SOME OF OUR WORSHIP TODAY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE SONGS DID NOT RECORD PROPERLY. WE ARE GRIEVED BUT SUCH ARE SOME DAYS IN CHURCH LIFE.

The resurrection was the single most important event in human history: on that one day our redemption was accomplished. The first Easter Sunday was one of the most grueling long days recorded in scripture. The emotional roller coaster the young church was put through must have been exhausting as debates and disagreements’ inflamed and threatened their very existence. But, our Lord would not have the gates of hell prevail: He comes to them tenderly in their great sorrow and commissions them to proclaim the good news of the glorious resurrection! It was a day like no other ever has been or will be again! TEXT: LUKE 24:1-12 SONGS: O PRAISE THE NAME, HILLSONG MY JESUS I LOVE THEE, WORSHIP INITIATIVE LIVING HOPE, BETHEL REVELATION SONG: MISSION HOUSE WORSHIP

When they hailed Him as King, sang Him Hosannas and put palms under His feet, ‘Jesus Read Their Palms’. Though Jesus loved Jerusalem, her people and their rightful praise, He knew their heart and though they gave Him a parade, He knew they were going to kill Him. Tragically, though they hailed Him as king and put branches under His feet He could read their palms and so, Jesus wept! That infamy Jesus was willing to bear; and the strength of his confidence in God, His love for man, and the depth of His humiliation, was shown in the readiness and firmness with which He went forward to such a death. TEXT: LUKE 19:28-41 SONGS: LET THE ROCKS CRY OUT PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM, FANNY CROSBY O PRAISE THE NAME, HILLSONG WORSHIP ONE DAY, WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN, MAT REDMAN WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE, GAITHERS

Baffled, befuddled and bewildered, Elijah is suddenly filled with doubt and fear: he is shocked, stunned and staggers unready for the mind that can see the hand of God and still raise the fist to Him. Yes, such evil does exist; it twists and turns causing turmoil every which way. It is inexplicable, unreasonable and unfair because it is purely satanic! After the rain, some will repent and some will waver but the enemy will continue to rage tempting the righteous despair and give up. More than ever, after the rain, we need to remember the goodness of God and listen for the still small voice. This man will be back! TEXT: 1 KINGS 18:41-19:3 SONGS: LET IT RAIN, MICHAEL W. SMITH BATTLE BELONGS, PHIL WICKHAM LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS, SELAH TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS, CENTURY WORSHIP YOU'VE ALREADY ONE, WORSHIP INITIATIVE LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS, TRUE GRIT MOVIE

There is a faith which God cannot refuse; to which all things are possible; which laughs at impossibility; which can move mountains and plant them in the sea. F.B Meyer Re 5:7,8 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Every prayer which broke out in sob from an agonizing heart, every sigh of the solitary and struggling Christian, every groan of those groping God- ward, mingles here with the songs of the happy and triumphant and with the majestic public refrains that lead us unto worship. These all are the golden bowls of incense in the throne room of our great and mighty Father in heaven. TEXT: 1 KINGS 18:36-38, 43,44 SONGS: DO IT AGAIN, ELEVATION CHURCH GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, MADI HUNT WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS, ALABAMA HYMN OF HEAVEN, BETHEL WORSHIP DON'T STOP PRAYING, MATT REDMAN