Be a Witness

Dear Pastor Phil and Pastor Roger,

You should only be opening this in the event of death.

When God calls, there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn't called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward . . .

The missionary heart:

• Cares more than some think is wise.

• Risks more than some think is safe.

• Dreams more than some think is practical.

• Expects more than some think is possible.

I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience. . . .

There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you two and my church family.

In His care, 

Salaam, Karen

(Karen Watson was a Southern Baptist missionary to Iraq and was killed by unknown assailants

March 15, 2004. Book: Lives Given, Not Taken: 21st Century Southern Baptist Martyrs, by Erich

Bridges and Jerry Rankin.) 

Most of you probably have never heard of Karen Watson, but her words went out to inspire many people in North America and across the world. Karen's story is not new or unique; in fact, if I dug hard enough, I could probably find similar stories of individuals giving their lives for the kingdom of God. Even individuals in your community give everything they have for the kingdom of God. 

When I was 19, I asked God If missions was something that he would have for me. But it was a mentor of mine who said, "Tristan, how can you be a witness overseas if you can't do it here." That was a great statement but a hard one for me to hear. At that time, I was still immature in my faith; today, I can't agree more with that statement, how can someone witness overseas if they are not willing to do it at home? Act 1:8 is an account of Jesus before he ascended to heaven; it says this:

"But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

It's interesting how many views and interpretations there are on this one verse. I think we can easily complicate what Jesus is saying to his disciples. When the Holy Spirit comes on you, YOU will be my witness. A witness is someone who gives an account of the things they saw, heard, or experienced. I would like to tell you a story; this story is in Acts chapter 3. 

"One day, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God."

This is a compelling story of two men who experienced the internal transformation of the Holy Spirit and were a witness of the good news of Christ. Jesus told his disciples, "You will be my witnesses …" You see, being a witness is not a choice. It is your identity. It is not an option. Once you have experienced the love and forgiveness of Christ, you have something to say; you have a testimony of how good God is, and people need to hear it.

"We often convince ourselves that we have a choice to witness or not. But the awkward truth is that those who have chosen not to be a witness have actually chosen to be a poor witness, or worse yet a witness for the wrong side because like it or not, the world is watching our lives for evidence of Christ."

Tim Keller 

The question raised is not will you be a witness. It is what kind of witness you are going to be. If I sat down with you for 15min will I be able to tell that you have something I need? Does your heart hurt for the lost? Do you see a need in the church that someone needs to fill? Maybe you see someone at work who is struggling through life and thought if only she knew God? You and I are witnesses of the goodness of God, and we need to stand up and be the ones to step into our community. We need to look up, open our eyes and take our headphones out because God wants to use us. I think all too often, we miss opportunities to share God's testimony because we are locked to our phones. Again I go to the words of Karen Watson - "I wasn't called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward . . ."

 The missionary heart or let's say The Christian Heart:

• Should care more than some think is wise.

• Should risk more than some think is safe.

• Should dream more than some think is practical.

• Should expect more than some think is possible.

We are called not to comfort or to success but to obedience. . . .

There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him.

So how do you impact your community?

Be a good witness to the fact that you were lost and now are found, because God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that who so-ever believes in Him will never perish but have eternal life. A few years ago, I heard a testimony that moved me. It was from a lady who went through a tough life; she hit rock bottom. But then she found God; She said that "she fell so in love with God." And I could see it on her face; She couldn't contain how she felt about God. Why don't we see this more often? This absolute, nothing can change my mind kind of love for God. This is how I think the disciples and early church would have responded, men and women who fell so in love with God they could not keep it in. It's beautiful!