TOM PRICE: Tom is an Academic Tutor at OCCA and an evangelist with RZIM Europe.
What is a worldview? A worldview is a set of ideas that we all have that help us make sense of our world around us. It is like a lens over our eyes that determines how to see or interpret things. Our worldview helps us to answer questions such as: What is reality? Who am I? Where did I come from? What am I doing with my life? What can I hope for? What can I know? What happens when I die?
What do people want to know about the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it true? Is it for real? Will it work for me? Will it be what I am looking for in my life?
We were created in the image of God. That's why we can relate to and know God. That's why our hearts long for God. The human soul was designed in God's image. We are unfulfilled till we can know and relate to God. We will be restless until we relate to God. You might say, "You can't really know God, it's not possible." The Bible is the revelation of God and his son, Jesus Christ. It's through his Word, that we come to know him, not just about him. John 8: 31-32 says "If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." The truth spoken about here is Jesus Christ.
JOHN BECHTEL: Missionary to China for 40 years, spoke to us. "How Big is Your God?"
He says that in 1949 there were 1.8 million Christians in China
In 1979, the 1st church opened --400 invitations were sent out and 2000 people showed up. It was the first time they could openly sing a hymn!
The government now says there are 60 million Christians, but the house church says there are 120-130 million Christians. Chinese Christians are the future missionaries to the world. They want to take the gospel to the Middle East to the Muslims.
John wanted to build a camp (like Camp of the Woods Camp, USA) for kids to present the gospel in China in Hong Kong 40 years ago. He did not have the money. He met Walt Maloon of the ski boat company in Florida who was visiting Hong Kong with Billy Graham. John told Walt about his vision. Walt told John that he would raise the needed $240,000 for the land for the camp. As it turned out, Walt Maloon was unable to raise the needed money but he told him that he had a letter for him. Walt told John to buy the camp with the contents of the envelope. "Send this letter to your camp board" Walt told him. The letter was from a 14 year old named Belinda Holmes. She wanted John to have her money that had been her "ice cream" money for 2 weeks. The board was so moved by this letter they told John that he could buy the land for $1.00! Yes, $1.00. They opened the camp 40 years ago and it is still going strong. I believe he said that 1.2 million kids have come through the camp and many have come to Christ. The name of the camp is Suen Douh Camp, Hong Kong. Ten years later, John met Belinda Holmes in person! John Bechtel believes in a big God! He compared this story to the boy who gave Jesus the 5 loaves and 2 fish and Jesus multiplied it. John challenged us to ask ourselves this question: What do I have that I can put in the hands of the Master? He will use it and multiply it!
MICHAEL RAMSDEN: Michael is the European Director of RZIM Europe and is also Director of the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics. Michael was brought up in the Middle East (Cypress) and later moved to England where he worked for the Lord Chancellor's department investing funds. While doing research in Law and Economics at Sheffield University, he taught Moral Philosophy and his numerous speaking engagements have included addressing leaders at NATO's headquarters and Members of the European Parliament.
Michael lives in Oxford with his wife and 3 children. Last week we all got to go to his home for a Greek feast! Michael is passionate, humorous, and informed--a great guy to be with.
These are some of his thoughts from one of his lectures:
* We are living letters read by many. How does your life read?
* Has our life been so watered down that no one is noticing that we are Christian?
* Thinking is not the enemy of faith.
* Biblical faith is not generated by me and is not kept up by me.
* True security is in Christ.
* The Christian faith has been reduced by many churches to either a system of do's and don'ts, experiences, or only thinking. Christianity is about "being" because God "is." It is about who we ARE. We are a new creation. The Christian faith does not ask anyone to accept a set of do's and don'ts, a set of feelings or a set of ideas. Rather, the Christian faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ. We gain a new identity and a new beginning.
* Good questions: Have you encountered Christ? Do you know him? Have you stepped into the "light?" What is God saying to you? What are you going to do about it?
* Ask someone WHY they became a Christian, not HOW. It causes them to reflect on the gospel, not on what they did.
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