The word witness means, "A person who has seen an event (eye witness), one who can describe an event what he has seen to others who were not present in that site and was able to testify on a law court. The first thing, the risen Lord told his disciple to do is to bear witness about his resurrection. Because the whole Christian faith concept is mainly based on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Cor 15:17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. As he told earlier to his disciples he raised from the dead. In 1 Cor 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. Now Jesus Christ our Lord has rasied from the dead, so as Apostle Paul says in 1 Cor 15:21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. In 1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. As in 1 Cor 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, In Mark 16:6...."Don't panic! You're looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been brought back to life. He's not here. Look at the place where they laid him. Mark 16:7 Go and tell his disciples....There they will see him, just as he told them." As I was thinking about this the Bible says in the book of Every Christian is called to testify what he has seen, heard and experienced in our own life about that we have to testify. This is what John the Apostle says in 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. In 1 John 1:2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. Rev 12:11 They overcame him [Satan] 1. by the blood of the Lamb and 2. by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Even before his ascension in to heaven he gave his disciples the great commission in Mat 28:19 Therefore [1.], go and [2.], make disciples of all nations, [3.], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [Gal. 3:27; Mk. 16:16] Mat 28:20 and [4.], teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." I feel seven things are basically needed to become a effective witness for Our Lord Jesus Christ.

So I am using the word "W-I-T-N-E-S-S" itself as a guide to make you remember this better. Shall we now learn about this WITNESS? Please read with a prayerful attitude.

W - for the Word of God.

The word of God is the basic thing without that no body can know God. Only through them we understand God, his character, functions and about all the things he made and his will for the mankind and the future.

1. Even the Bible says in the Gospel that the word of God was there right from the beginning. In John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". Knowing the word is knowing God. Knowing God is eternal life.

2. From the life of our Lord we learn that we can have victory over satan by using the word of God. In Mathew 4:4, 7, 10 by quoting the word of the Living God. In Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. And If we know the word of God then we can also have victory over satan as Jesus won the Satan by using the word of God.

3. In John 5:39 "You study the Scriptures in detail because you think you have the source of eternal life in them. These Scriptures testify on my behalf". No body can witness for the Lord with out knowing the word of God.

4. Knowing the word of God brings deliverance in our personal life. Deliverance in our life helps us to bear witness to God. So the Word of God is very important. Jesus told that "John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

5. In Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" If we do not know the word of God we can not prosper in our life.

6. King David says in Psa 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. The word of God helps you to avoid sin. [Ps. 119:9]

7. In Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Word of God can not be destroyed. (Mk.13:31, Lk.21:33) By doing as per the word of God we will be established in our life. [Isa. 40:8]

8. In Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. To become a light of this world his word must be in us. [Ps. 1:1 - 3]

9. In Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. The word of God is Living and active to revive, touch and to transform any soul.

10. In 1 Pet 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, The word of God alone can give a growth to your spiritual life.

I - for Intercessor.

1. A self centered person can not Intercede for others,
2. Without having a compassionate heart to feel for others it is not possible to pray or Intercede.

3. Unless one person move with love in action he can not Intercede.] I feel it is a basic qualification for any one who wants to become more effective in their witnessing. Our Lord expects us to Intercede for others. In Isa. 59:16 "And God saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor": Why God has to wonder? Because we see This in the God’s character in Isa 53:12"...and made intercession for the transgressors."

Jesus Christ our Lord in Heb. 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Rom 8:34 ...It is Christ ... who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Holy Spirit God also in Rom 8:26 ...the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Rom 8:27 ...he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

In Abraham’s life [The Father of all Believers] Gen 18:23 - 33 Abraham came closer and asked, "Are you really going to sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Gen 18:24 What if there are 50 innocent people in the city? Are you really going to sweep them away? Won't you spare that place for the sake of the 50 innocent people who are in it? Then he went down to 10 innocent people.

In the Life of Moses did this in Exo 32:32 But now, please forgive their sin--and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping."

In the life of King David in 1 Chr 21:17 And David said to God, "I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are innocent--what have they done? O LORD my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people."

In the life of Job in Job. 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

In the life of Daniel in Dan. 9:3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks:

In the book of Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the fence, and stand in the breach before me for the l and, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. This verse shows that God is looking for Persons like Abraham, Moses, Job and Daniel even today who can be an Intercessor for God. In Ezek 9:4 "and Jehovah said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof. Ezek 9:5 And to the others he said in my hearing, Go after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have pity. Ezek 9:6 "Slay utterly the old man, the young man, and the maiden, and little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary."

Our Master Jesus Christ in his life on the cross demonstrated this Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing." Often in his life he moved with compassion for others and did some thing for them.

In the life of Stephen in Acts 7:60 Then he knelt down and shouted, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them." After he had said this, he died.

Apostle Paul say’s in 1 Tim 2:1 " I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--" So we have to Pray for all without fail. For this we must ask God to give us a compassionate and a concern heart for others. This is what Jesus told "as you love yourself love your neighbor"

T - for Testifying, means bear witness, give evidence.

Our life must be a living example to Others. We have to Introduce Jesus Christ our Savior to others in the same way in which we have tasted him. What we have seen, heard and experienced in our life we have to testify for the glory of God. This is what in the Bible Apostle John says in 1 John 1:1 "…. which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. In 1 John 1:2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you. To me, this word testifying is a basic duty of every Christian. God is expecting every one of us to do this and glorify Him. This will help us to overcome Satan in our Spiritual life. In Rev 12:11 "They won the victory over him [Satan] because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Our Lord Jesus said in Mat.10:18 "Because of me you will even be brought in front of governors and kings to testify to them and to everyone in the world". In Mark 13:9 "Be on your guard! People will hand you over to the Jewish courts and whip you in their synagogues. You will stand in front of governors and kings to testify to them because of me. In the last days Jesus told in Luke 21:12 "Before all these things happen, people will arrest and persecute you. They will hand you over to their synagogues and put you into their prisons. They will drag you in front of kings and governors because of my name. Luke 21:13 It will be your opportunity to testify to them. Luke 21:14 So make up your minds not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.

Apostle Paul said in Acts 20:24 But I don't place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I'm running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus--the mission of testifying to the Good News of God's kindness. In Acts 26:22 "God has been helping me to this day so that I can stand and testify to important and unimportant people. I tell them only what the prophets and Moses said would happen.

Apostle John says in 1 John 1:2 This life was revealed to us. We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us. 1 John 4:14 We have seen and testify to the fact that the Father sent his Son as the Savior of the world.

Jesus Christ said In Mat 10:32 "So I will acknowledge in front of my Father in heaven that person who acknowledges me [confess about me] in front of others. Mat 10:33 But I will tell my Father in heaven that I don't know the person who tells others that he doesn't know me. Lessons to learn in our life.

1, God acknowledges us when we testify for him. Mark 8:38 If people are ashamed of me and what I say in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of those people when he comes with the holy angels in his Father's glory." Luke 9:26 If people are ashamed of me and what I say, the Son of Man will be ashamed of those people when he comes in the glory that he shares with the Father and the holy angels. Some how we must develop a boldness, to testify for the glory of God all our experiences what we had with God. That is why Jesus told his disciples to wait for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

2.,Our Testimony is a more Powerful weapon on Satan. So some how develop this habit with the help of the Holy Spirit and thus obey the "Great Commission" of God. In Rev. 12:11 "They won the victory over him because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life so much that they refused to give it up". "Testimony" means declaration, testifying for the truth, esp in a law court to bear witness. Victory over satan comes by our testimony for God. In John 15:27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

N - for Nard (fragrance).

Apostle Paul says in 2 Cor 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in all ocession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. In 2 Cor 2:15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; In 2 Cor 2:16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

In Mark 14:3 Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had suffered from a skin disease. While Jesus was sitting there, a woman went to him. She had a bottle of very expensive perfume made from pure nard. [ Song 1:12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. Song 4:14 nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices.] She opened the bottle and poured the perfume on his head. Mark 14:4 Some who were there were irritated and said to one another, "Why was the perfume wasted like this? Mark 14:5 "For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they were scolding her.

In Mark 14:6 Jesus said, "Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me.

Mark 14:7 You will always have the poor with you and can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have me with you. Mark 14:8 She did what she could. She came to pour perfume on my body before it is placed in a tomb. Mark 14:9 I can guarantee this truth: Wherever the Good News is spoken in the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

In the John 12:3 - 8 Mary took a bottle of very expensive perfume made from pure nard and poured it on Jesus' feet. Then she dried his feet with her hair. The fragrance of the perfume filled the house. John 12:4 One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray him, asked, John 12:5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold for a high price and the money given to the poor?" John 12:6 (Judas didn't say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the moneybag and carried the contributions.) John 12:7 Jesus said to Judas, "Leave her alone! She has done this to prepare me for the day I will be placed in a tomb. John 12:8 You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you."

Lessons to Learn:-

1., Give Jesus the most expensive one, because he is the king of kings and Lord of Lords. In Prov 3:9 Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce;

2., The worldly people will call it a waste. Since they do not know the value of our Lord. "a bottle of very expensive perfume made from pure nard and poured it on Jesus' feet.

3., What you feel like giving to God give it without consulting with others since you will not get the same type of opportunity to serve the Lord Jesus Christ always. In John 12:8 You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you."

4., Even her critics who condemned her smelt the perfume. The Fragrance remained us a fragrance to every one. The fragrance of the perfume filled the house. All could smell it.

5., God loves the chearful giver. God appreciated her and accepted her love and action. In Mark 14:6 Jesus said, "Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me.

6., One dead fly will spoil every thing even if it is expensive one. One bad testimoney will spoil your good efferts and you may loose your witness.

7., 2 Cor 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

8., 1 Pet 1:4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Mat 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

9., Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. So do not keep your mind on this earthly things. 1 Tim 6:7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

10., Heaven is the best place to keep our treasures. Nothing can affect your treasure there. No body can steal. Apostle Paul says in Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; Eph 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

E- for Evangelist,

Which means the one who is preaching the Gospel messages to any one who is willing to listens where ever he travels.[ to proclaim the glad tidings, good news, gospel]. Inorder to spread the Good News to all

we have to stop spreading the Bad News. We must have one goal and determination that is to spread the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ. As in Psa 96:2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

we are following Our Lord Jesus Christ in our life. Jesus Christ in his life In Mark 1:14 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God", Jesus Christ have commanded his disciples to go and proclaim the Gospel. In Luke 9:6 So they set out and went

from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. In Mat 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. [Mk.13:10]. Evangelist - Philip, is best known for his missionary work in Samaria and with the Ethiopian eunuch (8:5-40). An evangelist brings the good news of salvation to the unconverted and calls them to repentance. Pastors can also do the work of evangelists (2 Ti 4:5). Evangelists are included in the leadership team God has given the church (Eph 4:11). Even when Jesus called all his disciples, he told them this Mark 1:17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." So all have to evangelize. All who follow Jesus has to catch others. In Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. So all the believers are in this Gospel work.

Apostle Paul says in Rom 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." In Acts 14:21 And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, and in Eph 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

Apostle Paul advisees to Timmothy in 2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. In Rom 15:20 "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. In 1 Cor 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Cor 9:17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. Our Lord Jesus Christ has told in Mark 8:35 "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it."

S - for Servant,

The word used in the Greek is "Doulos" meaning a slave. God is our Master and we are his slaves. In Mat 20:27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- In Mat 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. "In Mat 8:9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." Apostle Paul say’s in Eph 6:6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. In Eph 6:7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, in 1 Cor 7:22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. That means only doing the Will of God not what we like (Mat. 7:21 Do His will to go to heaven). In Gal 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

In 1 Cor 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. In 1 Cor 7:24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

1., To serve God as Doulos Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. In Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." In Luke 17:10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

2. Paul say’s in Acts 20:19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. In Acts 20:20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. In Eph 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

3., Timothy in Phil 2:22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

4., In the O.T. in Deu 10:20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.

5., Serve the creator not the creations in Rom 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.

6., Serve him with all your heart like this. Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day.

7., In Rom 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. We learn from our Lord Jesus Christ in Phil 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a

servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

8., Serve one another in Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

9., Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

10., In Mat 20:27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- Mat 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."