3. “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.” ~ Revelation 2:4-5, NASB

4. AD 303 - The Great Persecution begins under Diocletian. 305 - Diocletian and Maximian abdicate. Constantius, Galerius named Augustus; Severus and Maximinus as Caesar. 306 - Constantius dies; Constantine hailed as Augustus. 307 - Licinius becomes Augustus in the East. 311 - Galerius issues Edict of Toleration, relieving persecution of Christians in some areas. 312 - Constantine defeats Maxentius at Milvian Bridge; converts to Christianity.

5. AD 313 - Constantine and Licinius meet at Milan and proclaim universal toleration of Christians. 314 - Council of Arles. 324 - Licinius defeated at Chrysopolis; Constantine becomes sole emperor. 325 - Council of Nicaea. 326 – Constantine has wife, illegitimate son, Crishus, and nephew murdered. 330 - Constantinople dedicated. 337 - Constantine is baptized, dies and is declared a god.

6. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed!” ~ Galatians 1:8, NRSV

7. “If it were desired to reduce a man to nothing – to punish him atrociously, to crush him in such a manner that the most hardened murderer would tremble before such punishment – it would be necessary only to give his work a character of complete uselessness.” ~ Fyodor Dostoevski

8. Four Shifts from Husband to Lover…

9. PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion.PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion. ~ Matthew 6:24 ~

10. Four Shifts from Husband to Lover… PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion.PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion. ~ Matthew 6:24 ~ PURPOSE: From being a Family of love to advancing an Empire with the sword.PURPOSE: From being a Family of love to advancing an Empire with the sword. ~ John 18:36 ~

11. Four Shifts from Husband to Lover… PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion.PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion. ~ Matthew 6:24 ~ PURPOSE: From being a Family of love to advancing an Empire with the sword.PURPOSE: From being a Family of love to advancing an Empire with the sword. ~ John 18:36 ~ LEADERSHIP: From “sent ones” who served to “bureaucrats” who ruled.LEADERSHIP: From “sent ones” who served to “bureaucrats” who ruled. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ~

12. Four Shifts from Husband to Lover… PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion.PASSION: From following Jesus to building a Religion. ~ Matthew 6:24 ~ PURPOSE: From being a Family of love to advancing an Empire with the sword.PURPOSE: From being a Family of love to advancing an Empire with the sword. ~ John 18:36 ~ LEADERSHIP: From “sent ones” who served to “bureaucrats” who ruled.LEADERSHIP: From “sent ones” who served to “bureaucrats” who ruled. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ~ MINISTRY: From witnessing to the world to watching a holy man performing a holy ritual in a holy building.MINISTRY: From witnessing to the world to watching a holy man performing a holy ritual in a holy building. ~ Acts 1:7-8 ~