This is why elders matter. Not because everything old is automatically right. And not because everything new is automatically wrong. But because every generation needs people who can distinguish between: TRUTH AND ERROR. HOLINESS AND HYPE. GOSPEL AND ENTERTAINMENT. CONVICTION AND EMOTION. THE VOICE OF GOD AND THE NOISE OF THE CROWD. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

This is why elders matter. Not because everything old is automatically right. And not because everything new is automatically wrong. But because every generation needs people who can distinguish between: TRUTH AND ERROR. HOLINESS AND HYPE. GOSPEL AND ENTERTAINMENT. CONVICTION AND EMOTION. THE VOICE OF GOD AND THE NOISE OF THE CROWD. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

Imagine a generation that knows every trending preacher... but doesn't know Scripture. Knows every worship song... but doesn't know repentance. Knows how to shout... but doesn't know how to obey. Knows how to claim promises... but doesn't know the One who made them. Knows how to say “Lord, Lord”... but has never surrendered completely to the Lord. What have we gained? https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

The B-I-B-L-E. Let me put it this way: B — Basic I — Instructions B — Before L — Leaving E — Earth. The Bible contains the instructions we need before our earthly journey ends. Don't replace it with trends. Don't replace it with personalities. Don't replace it with motivational speeches. Don't replace it with whatever happens to be viral this week. The Word remains the standard. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

Because when an elder leaves this earth without transferring the wisdom God entrusted to them... A generation may inherit the microphone but not the message. The platform but not the burden. The title but not the testimony. The church building but not the fear of God. The vocabulary but not the conviction. The mantle must be passed. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

The Church does not need more voices competing to become famous. We need voices willing to become faithful. We need fathers who will raise sons. Mothers who will raise daughters. Elders who will teach the younger. Preachers who will preach the whole counsel of God. Watchmen who will still sound the alarm when everybody else is celebrating. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

And look at what has happened to the word “prophet” in some places. Because of counterfeits, manipulation and abuse of spiritual titles, genuine voices can sometimes be viewed with suspicion. The counterfeit has damaged the reputation of the genuine. But the answer is not to abandon the truth. The answer is to return to Scripture. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

You may think: “Who am I to speak?” Remember the prophets. Jeremiah spoke. Isaiah spoke. Ezekiel spoke. Daniel stood. Samuel spoke. Elijah confronted. Elisha continued the work. Moses confronted Pharaoh. They did not wait for everyone to agree with them before obeying God. They carried a message bigger than their reputation. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

And to every holiness preacher reading this: PLEASE DON'T GO SILENT. Don't let criticism silence you. Don't let rejection silence you. Don't let low numbers silence you. Don't let social media trends silence you. Don't let the fear of being called “too strict” silence you. Don't exchange conviction for applause. Souls are listening. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

I know this subject will make some people uncomfortable. It should. There are times when the Church needs encouragement. There are times when the Church needs comfort. But there are also times when the Church needs a WAKE-UP CALL. Because a doctor who sees danger in a patient's body does not prescribe sweetness merely because sweetness is easier to swallow. Truth must sometimes disturb us before it can deliver us. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

Some doctrines are sweet to the ears but deadly to the soul. Some messages make people comfortable when they should be convicted. Some sermons promise crowns while never mentioning the cross. Some preach heaven while refusing to talk about holiness. Some celebrate grace while completely ignoring the call to repentance. That is not the kind of food we should be feeding hungry souls. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

Do not let an algorithm-famous voice become the shepherd of your soul. Popularity is not proof of divine approval. A large audience is not proof of holiness. A beautiful building is not proof of salvation. A microphone is not proof of calling. A title is not proof of character. And a viral sermon is not automatically a biblical sermon. Search the Scriptures. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

There is something dangerous happening in this generation: The algorithm is becoming an unofficial pulpit. The preacher with the biggest following is assumed to have the biggest truth. The message with the most views is assumed to be the message God approves. But eternity does not operate by engagement. Heaven does not count likes. God weighs truth. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

May they never become few. May they never become ashamed. May their mouths never be shut. May they never surrender the ancient landmarks simply because the culture has changed. Because truth does not become false because it becomes unpopular. And falsehood does not become truth because millions of people applaud it. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

And let me clarify something. When I say “elders,” I am not talking merely about age. I am talking about men and women who have become established in truth. Holiness preachers. Sanctified believers. Watchmen. Truth-tellers. People who would rather lose popularity than lose the message. People who still tremble at the Word of God. Those are elders. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

This is not an attack on an entire generation. It is a warning to every generation. Gen Z needs truth. The generation after Gen Z needs truth. The generation before Gen Z needs truth. Everybody needs the undiluted Word of God. A young person should not have to choose between being relevant and being holy https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

And what happens then? A generation begins receiving: Grace without repentance. Salvation without transformation. Faith without obedience. Prosperity without eternity. Blessings without the fear of God. Church without holiness. Messages designed to attract crowds but never prepare souls for eternity. And because nobody taught them differently... They may eat the vulture and call it fried chicken. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

Every healthy community needs elders. Not merely old people. People who remember. People who know the ancient landmarks. People who can tell the younger generation: “We have been here before. We know where this road leads. Do not go that way.” When those voices disappear, ignorance does not announce itself. It simply becomes normal. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

There is a saying that sounds strange until you understand what it means: “Let elders not die in a community, so children won’t eat vultures and call it fried chicken.” Think about that. A generation that has never been taught what is dangerous can consume danger and call it food. And that is exactly what can happen spiritually. https://youtu.be/lZcwmkQ3_sI?si=8pPW7jhJeQ2Xe4CV

If you discover that you have been following the wrong direction, don't remain there simply because you have been there for years. Don't follow a personality into destruction. Don't confuse a massive crowd with God's approval. Don't exchange holiness for popularity. Don't exchange eternal life for earthly applause. Follow Christ. Be a sheep under the Shepherd. And make sure the voice leading you is taking you toward Jesus, truth, holiness and eternity. 🦁🐑 A lion leading 10 sheep may accomplish more for eternity than a goat leading 100 lions. The question is not, "How many are following?" The question is, "Where are they being led?" What do you think? Who will win? https://youtu.be/KEbgJb0bG3g?si=CQFSI4-QwOca_zIB

My prayer is not: "Lord, make me famous." My prayer is: "Lord, make me faithful." Give me people I can lead toward Christ. Give me sheep I can faithfully shepherd. Give me the courage to preach the truth even when it is unpopular. Give me the grace to prepare souls for the coming of the Lord. Even if there are only ten sheep... Let me lead them faithfully https://youtu.be/KEbgJb0bG3g?si=CQFSI4-QwOca_zIB

And what if you are one of the 10 sheep? Maybe your church is small. Maybe your minister is not popular. Maybe your meetings don't attract thousands. Maybe people mock you because your ministry emphasizes holiness and righteousness. Don't abandon truth simply because another ministry has a bigger crowd. Heaven is not won by popularity. Stay with Christ. Stay with the truth. Stay on the narrow road. https://youtu.be/KEbgJb0bG3g?si=CQFSI4-QwOca_zIB

Here is the uncomfortable question: What if you are one of the "100 lions"? What if you are strong? What if you are gifted? What if you are intelligent? What if you are passionate about God? What if you have been in church for 10, 20 or 30 years? But you are following teaching that never confronts sin, never calls people to repentance, never teaches holiness and never prepares souls for eternity? Strength without truth can become a dangerous combination. https://youtu.be/KEbgJb0bG3g?si=CQFSI4-QwOca_zIB

Jesus is both presented in Scripture as the Lamb of God and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. The sheep follow the Shepherd. And the true minister of Christ must point the sheep toward Christ, not toward himself. A minister's assignment is not merely to build a crowd. It is to prepare people for eternity. What is the benefit of gaining thousands of followers if those followers are never prepared to meet Jesus? https://youtu.be/KEbgJb0bG3g?si=CQFSI4-QwOca_zIB

Now look at the other side: One Lion leading 10 sheep. It doesn't look impressive. The crowd is small. The conference may have only 10 people. The church may have 100. The preacher may not be famous. The ministry may not trend online. But what if that small congregation is being faithfully taught: Christ. Repentance. Righteousness. Sanctification. Holiness. Truth. Readiness for eternity. Never despise a small gathering where the truth is being preached. https://youtu.be/KEbgJb0bG3g?si=CQFSI4-QwOca_zIB