THE ADVENT TRUTH.

We are living in an hour when far too many preachers have traded the boldness of John the Baptist for the applause of Herod’s court. The sheep of Christ’s pasture are starving for the pure Word of God, but instead of being fed, they’re being entertained with sugar-coated sermons designed not to offend the goats.

Yet Jesus said the shepherd lays down his life for the sheep — not his convictions. The goats will always gnash their teeth when the truth is spoken. They will threaten, intimidate, and accuse. But a true preacher of the gospel knows his calling is not to please the goats, but to protect and nourish the sheep, even at great personal cost.

The apostle Paul declared, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). That means the unpopular truths, the hard sayings, the calls to repentance, the straight testimony that cuts against sin and self. We don’t need men who trim the truth to fit the times — we need men who will preach the truth that changes lives for eternity.

It is better to stand with the Shepherd and be hated by the goats than to win the goats’ approval and be found unfaithful to Christ. Shepherds, blow the trumpet. Feed the sheep. Stand firm. The Chief Shepherd is coming, and your reward will not be measured in likes, applause, or positions — but in the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”