Delivered by Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III

Synopsis of May 4, 2025 Sermon

Galatians 6:17 (NKJV)

“From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Everybody has some scars. Some are visible, and others are hidden deep in the fabric of our hearts.

B. Scars are reminders that we survived what tried to destroy us. They are proof that we endured seasons we never thought we’d escape.

C. They tell stories of battles fought, lessons learned, and grace experienced.

D. The world may try to make us ashamed of our scars, but the Kingdom teaches that scars are signs of strength—not shame.

E. In Galatians 6:17, we find the Apostle Paul battle-worn but not broken. He is writing to people struggling with outside pressure and internal confusion.

F. These were recent converts to Christ. Paul had preached that the gospel was available not just to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.

- However, Judaizers—strict adherents to the law—taught that faith in Christ alone wasn’t enough. They insisted on religious rituals.

G. Paul countered that faith in Jesus Christ alone was sufficient for salvation.

- As a result, Paul himself endured much: beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, betrayal—yet he remained standing.

H. He was still preaching. Still believing.

I. He ends by telling the Galatians that he bears in his body the marks of Jesus. Every scar was a reminder of belonging to Christ, a testimony of survival.

- Our scars are not signs of defeat, but of destiny.

J. The word “scars” comes from the Greek word stigmata, which also gives us the word “stigma.” Paul refers not to metaphorical, but physical scars.

K. These were branding marks—signs of ownership, like those burned into slaves or cattle.

- Even soldiers were marked to show who they belonged to.

L. Paul pointed to his marks to show he belonged to Jesus.

- His scars were from teaching Christ—he wasn’t ashamed of his suffering.

M. Know this: something greater is happening in your life when you experience scars.

N. Scars may cause people to isolate, ostracize, or mischaracterize you. But God has written a story in your scars.

O. This is not the time to hide your scars—it’s time to embrace them. They are part of your testimony.

II. WE ARE SCARRED ON PURPOSE

Why is this important? Because purpose shifts your perspective. When you understand you have a divine assignment, you begin to see every season—even painful ones—as purposeful.

God never allows anything to happen in your life unless it’s working for your good and His glory.
“And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Your scars are not punishment—they are preparation for where God is taking you.

Some thought they were cutting you down, but they were actually giving you strength and empathy.
Every painful experience is setting you up for divine fulfillment.

Instead of asking, “Why did this happen?” ask, “God, what are you trying to get out of me?”

A. Perceive the Purpose

Be clear about what God is doing. Scars are never random—they’re part of a greater plan.

- What looks like a setback is often a setup.

Every struggle is woven into God’s design—not for your grief, but for your growth.

- Pray: “Lord, show me what You’re building in me in this season.”

If it’s God’s will, God is at work. And if God is working, it’s producing a great witness.

B. Pursue the Path

It’s not enough to recognize purpose—you must stay on the path.

It won’t always be easy, but it is working for your good.
Purpose demands endurance, not convenience.

Biblical Examples:

Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, imprisoned—but the door still opened for him.
Moses struggled with insecurity, faced Pharaoh, but saw the Red Sea part.
David hid in caves, dodged spears, yet the throne became his.
Esther fasted through fear and found favor—saving her entire nation.
Jesus bore betrayal, endured the cross, lay lifeless in a tomb—but rose again. His open door is our eternal victory.

Every crushing leads to crowning. Every storm ends with a door that no man can shut.

God is opening doors for you.

III. SCARRED BY PRESSURE

“Let no one trouble me…”

If you’ve been scarred by pressure, you’ve endured what others couldn’t.

Pressure reveals character and who you truly trust.
Surviving it shows you’ve had your hand in God’s hand.

God allows pressure not to punish you but to purify you—so you can handle your purpose with maturity.

A. Protect the Peace

There will always be people sent to steal your peace and joy.

The Galatians had people trying to steal theirs.
Refuse to let external noise dictate your internal peace.
Be careful what you entertain—bring every thought into submission to God’s truth.

Three ways to protect your peace:

Position your priorities – Avoid distractions. Focus on growth in Christ.
Protect your perimeters – Maintain healthy boundaries. Forgiveness doesn’t require access.
Practice persistent prayer – Prayer prepares your heart and atmosphere.

Your haters should be thankful you have a prayer life.

B. Press Through the Pain

When the heat turns up, your faith must too.

Pain is the passageway to purpose.
Like Job, even when he lost everything, he never lost faith: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
Pain doesn’t mean God forgot you. It means He’s forming you. Pressure produces power.

Keep pressing. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

IV. SCARRED BY PERSEVERANCE

These scars don’t just come from what happened to you—but how you responded.

Perseverance means you kept going when quitting looked easier.

You believed when doubt screamed.
You served when tired.
Your scars are evidence of victory.

A. Persist Despite Problems

Problems are not prophecies of failure—they’re opportunities for growth.

Encourage yourself: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Persistence is showing up one more time, even when you want to quit.
Quiet persistence is doing the work even when no one is watching or clapping.

The shout is in the showing up. Your presence is proof that God’s been good.

B. Partner with Providence

God never meant for you to walk alone.

Providence is God divinely ordering your steps.
Even when the earth is silent, heaven is active.
The best is yet to come.

V. SCARRED BY PROOF

Paul says he bears the marks of Jesus.

You carry proof that you’ve been carried by Jesus.
Your scars are evidence of His goodness.

Every scar is a sermon. Every wound is a witness. Every trial is a testimony.

A. Present the Proof

Ever wonder what happens when a wound becomes a scar?

Your body goes into action:

Clotting to stop the bleeding.
Immune system clears the infection.
Collagen builds the broken part back.
New blood vessels restore the area.

God does the same spiritually.

He surrounds you with people to support and clot you.
He clears out toxic relationships.
He rebuilds you—piece by piece.

Scar tissue is tougher. It doesn’t sweat or grow hair.

What used to keep you up at night doesn’t anymore.
Never be ashamed of your scars.

B. Praise Him for the Progress

If you made it, give Him praise—not because it didn’t hurt, but because you’re healed!

Part 1: The Story of My Scars