Fallen From Forward Love (Rev 2:1-7)

Fallen From a Forward Love ()

I. A Lampstand Removed ()

In sports terms it is only playing defense, one might even say “prevent” defense (a football scheme that aligns players “soft” or away from the line in order not to give up any big plays). The problem is that if you only play defense, your defense is going to get tired because your offense is not on the field long enough to provide respite for the defense. Even worse, is the prevent defense that may not give up any big plays but allows still the opponents offense to wear down the defense and develop its own confidence building rhythm. This is what most often leads to incredible comebacks in football and it is such a shame because if the winning team had remained true to their identity and kept playing the game the way that gave them the greatest success, then there would likely be no comebacks by the opponent, only utter domination buy the winning team. As has been said by many commentators and fans before, the only thing that a prevent defense does is prevent you from winning the game.

Leaving the sports world and politics and considering some practical theology instead, many Bible commentators and expositors have long noted that there all sin may fall into one of two categories: sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission are are obviously sins that we commit and are expressed in such biblical terms as transgression and trespasses.

I. A Lampstand Removed ()

A. Understanding the assessment of every church through every age by way of these letters

B. The Promise of blessing and the Warning of Correction

BlessingCorrection

C. The Lampstand Removed

Looking Over LondonNT Wright relates his observations of modern Ephesus as evidence that the lampstand was removed

II. Playing Prevent

A. A Praiseworthy Defense (, )

WorksToilPatient EnduranceCannot bear evil peopleTested for Truth (False Apostles) Endured patiently for my names sakeNot grown weary ( a well conditioned defense) Hate the works of the Nicolaitans

B. Counsel to repent and Conquer

C.

III. Time to Possess (,)