Our Finest Hour
Speaker: Pastor Darin Browne
In 1940, after the evacuation of Dunkirk, Hitler was preparing to invade England…
…the Battle of France is over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be freed, and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.”
Churchill was once asked what his country’s greatest weapon was against the Nazis and he replied, “What is has always been…hope.” It is our greatest weapon too, hope in Christ! Marshall Foch said, “There are no hopeless situations, only men who have grown hopeless.”
Listening to Pastor Kenny last Sunday night, I was stuck once again by the gravity of the hour for us Christians. While some waste time arguing over petty grievances, while some lose time trying to build their own castles in the sand, the world is descending into the abyss of a new and more sinister dark age.
Being a half full kind of guy, I don’t want to focus on the incredibly negative social changes and threats we see around us. Instead, let’s focus on the incredible opportunity we have before us. I believe this is the greatest time in history to be a Christian, and we should grab it with all we’ve got! And the signs are everywhere!
Matthew 16:2-3
“When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
THE HOUR
Romans 13:11-12
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.
What an exciting time to be alive! What generations of believers have read about and longed for is happening all around us. Don’t bother reading newspapers or news apps, today the Bible is more accurate! I believe we are in the final days before the return of Jesus Christ.
Mark 13:32
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
I don’t really care of you are pre, post, pan millennialist. One day, one of us will be right. The point is that the day of His return is getting closer, and we need to be actively serving the Lord now.
THE TIMES
How can we establish that the time of Jesus return is fast approaching? There are signs, and most of these can be found in Matthew 24.
1: A Time of Deception
“Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11).
We are seeing more fake news and delusion than ever before. Mainstream media is out and out lying; peddling lies like truth and deceiving many. Journalism is, in my opinion, at its lowest ebb ever, because the left simply uses it as a propaganda tool.
2: A Time of Dissension
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars…Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6–7).
We have seen more war in the last century than ever before, with an estimated 187 million people killed. The book of Revelation tells us to expect a period of ceaseless, unending and terrible war. Fifty percent of all research scientists today are involved in arms development and there is at least one military weapon and four thousand pounds of explosives for every man, woman, and child on earth. Donald Trump has negotiated peace in six international conflicts in six months. There are loads of war!
3: A Time of Devastation
“There will be famines…” (Matthew 24:7).
Experts suggest 70 to 120 million people died of famine in the 20th century. Famines continue today, and most of them are man made, and avoidable.
4: A Time of Disease
“…pestilences…” (Matthew 24:7).
New and remerging infectious diseases are occurring. Need we mention AIDS or COVID? COVID showed us how governments and the WHO can use a virus to control the entire world.
5: A Time of Disasters
“…and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7).
Almost 2,000 significant earthquakes occurred in the 20th century, the deadliest being the 2004 Indian earthquake and tsunami which resulted in almost 230,000 fatalities. The latest was last week, right here. The frequency and magnitude of earthquakes is increasing, even here! There’s a whole lot of shaking going on!
6: A Time of Death
“They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9).
According to Deseret News, one Christian is murdered for their faith every five minutes. People are turning against Christians and Jews, even in Australia, like never before! But death goes beyond the murder of Christians.
In Revelation 9 it talks about plagues and disease, along with sexual immoralities, thefts and murders. Today we murder millions of babies in the womb and justify such actions with thinly veiled lies. Then this…
Revelation 9:21
nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Sorceries is PHARMAKIA in Greek, from which we get the English word pharmacy. Perhaps 2,000 years ago John was telling us the world will be controlled by pharmaceuticals. That drugs, abortion and persecution will result in mass death.
7: A Time of Disloyalty
“Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” (Matthew 24:10).
Doesn’t that look like today, where people are constantly offended by everything! Check out Facebook sometime! I am now offended by the people who are getting offended all the time.
8: A Time of Delusion
Daniel 12:4
Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
This sums up our modern world, because we have more knowledge and access to knowledge than ever before, yet we now suffer knowledge overload and cannot discern truth! Our world cannot discern the difference between a boy and a girl anymore, but they think they are so intelligent!
9: A Time of Defection
“Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
People will turn away from God, and only the faithful remnant will remain. It is estimated that half of the professed believers on the Sunshine Coast do not regularly attend church.
10: A Time of Declaration
“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matthew 24:14).
This has happened more and more and must increase before Jesus returns.
All this is happening right now. Perhaps the greatest signpost to the return of Jesus Christ is the nation of Israel, and what is happening right now with their wars and conflicts with nations like Syria and Iran fulfils prophetic words given in Daniel and Revelation.
THE CALLING
All these signs sound bad, but Jesus described these as the beginnings of the birth pains. There is far more to come, greater pain, devastation and fear. Watch the news and be comforted that things can only get worse!
David Jeremiah writes, “As bad as it is today in our world, it could (and will) get worse. Who has the power to restrain Satan? Only God. And it is God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who draws the line today and keeps the ocean of evil at bay.”
Here’s the upside. We have the Holy Spirit of the living God within us, and we are called to be salt and light in this dark and devious world! Our prayers, our preaching, our witness is what is holding the incredible tide of evil we see all around us back. So, this is our chance, our moment to make a huge difference as salt and light in a depraved generation.
Philippians 2:15
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
A PRIVILEGED GENERATION
We are a privileged generation, because we are called to shine, and this is the pointy end of history. This is our moment to shine, but many believers are not shining effectively.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
It is imperative that we see what is happening around us for what it really is. Sure, this world, and especially our country, is a mess, but I’m excited about it, because this is our moment to shine for Jesus. This is our finest hour, and we should rejoice that we are it.
We must never be afraid to carry the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into the darkest places. That’s what we are called to do. That’s what we were created to do. Let us not fail our Lord at this moment
COULD THIS BE OUR FINEST HOUR?
We live in a world that is openly mocking God, attacking what is good and right and setting up false idols. We are seeing the re-rise of ancient demonic deities, false demonic gods like Baal, Asherah and Moloch, resurrected and worshipped across the world today.
Baal was a prosperity deity, representing money, riches, and selfishness. This generation is the most self-centred, iPad, iPhone, I-focussed, narcissistic generation in history. Asherah (Aphrodite, Venus) was a fertility goddess, famous for asexual perversion, homosexuality, transgenderism and pornography. That’s why these things are rampant today. And of course, Moloch was all about child sacrifice, and our government funds abortions up until birth, and now rewards abortions with cash payouts.
The church’s calling is not to normalise, excuse or “be inclusive” of unBiblical behaviour, our calling is to shine God’s truth to this generation.
People feel secure knocking God and His standards right now, but as Jesus said…
Matthew 24:37-38
For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
Before the flood, people were just floating along, living their lives as they saw fit, ignoring God and justifying perverse behaviour. Just like today. We are poised to see the return of Christ right now.
So how do we make this moment our finest hour? Here are some suggestions.
HOW TO MAKE THIS OUR FINEST HOUR
If the most important thing for you is feeling good, you will end up miserable. If the most important thing for you is doing good, you will end up purposeful and fulfilled. Our purpose is to do good, and to stand for Jesus Christ and shine the light in this dark world.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1: KEEP STANDING
At this pivotal time, we must stand for truth, God’s truth! This is not the time for country club Christianity or to go chasing the latest thing. We must stand firm on the truths we know and be unshakable. And we must keep standing for truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
So, join us in learning God’s truth, reading the Bible, doing the reading plan, learn all you can and be firm in your beliefs.
2: KEEP LOVING
John 13:35
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The world notices when we love one another. This does not mean that we lower the bar and condone sin, it does not mean that we accept aberrant and evil behaviour, but it does mean that we love people, sin and all. We love them enough to challenge their sin, not condone it, and share the gospel, and we must love each other more than we love our doctrines and preferences. Most of what Christians fight over is not Biblical, it’s simply our preferences.
3: KEEP MEETING
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
You can stay home and watch internet preachers and still be saved, but you will be a disobedient Christian, because Jesus knows the value of us meeting together, fellowshipping, worshipping, serving, outreaching together. T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Bill Johnson, or whom ever else you follow, none of them know who you are! It might be teaching, but it’s not church! So, either here of somewhere else, find a church community you can grow in and serve in.
4: KEEP SHARING
2 Timothy 4:1-2
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
Now is not the time to have a nice life and cruise into heaven. Ignite is not a cruise ship, it’s a battleship, and so we should be ready to fight and take ground for the Kingdom. Spurgeon said, “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself, be sure of that!” We should be maximising our impact on this doomed world!
5: KEEP LOOKING
At this time in history, we must keep looking to Jesus, and keep our eyes firmly fixed on Christ. The world will try and lure our sight away. It will flood us with news and internet sites and YouTube clips and Facebook posts, but we must decide to look through the mist and see Jesus. We must consciously choose to fill our minds with the Word of God.
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
THIS IS OUR FINEST HOUR
Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
We are called to be salt and light to this dark world, because this world is not our home. As Daniel interpreted for the Babylonian King, the handwriting on the wall for this earth, and this ship is sinking. So don’t panic, don’t go getting worried about the Antichrist, or the tribulation. Just focus on Jesus. I’m looking at Jesus. I’m waiting for His return, and I’m obeying His orders.
Matthew 24:44 (ESV)
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Let me finish by paraphrasing Winston Churchill’s speech…
Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Satan knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all the earth may be freed, and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including our nation, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the Church of Jesus Christ lasts for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.”
Today I am rededicating my life to bringing the gospel of Christ to our people. Will you join me? Will you stand with me, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, faithfully serving and encouraging each other to remain faithful to the calling of God?