1. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42

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3. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 What could have made the Jewish religious leaders so jealous of the disciples that they arrested them and put them in jail?

4. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 Acts 5:12-16 tells us! Miraculous signs and wonders! Highly regarded by the people! Men and women believed in Jesus! Sick and demon-possessed being healed!

5. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 What might the disciples have been thinking while they were in jail? “Wonder what’s for supper?” “Is it our turn to be crucified?”

6. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 Do you think any of them imagined being sprung from jail by an angel of the Lord?

7. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 What might have been your response to the angel’s instructions to continue teaching? “I’m outta here!” “Let’s chill until this blows over.”

8. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 The Sanhedrin was furious with the disciples for teaching in Jesus’ name. How did the disciples respond to their questions? “We must obey God rather than men.” 5:29b

9. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 Although the disciples were spared a death sentence by Gamaliel on this day, what high price did they still have to pay for their obedience to the Lord? Flogging! (skin stripped from back)

10. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 With what kind of attitude did they receive their stripes from their persecutors? With great pride and joy! (5:41)

11. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 Did they “cease and desist” as they were ordered to by those in authority? “Day after day…they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” (5:42)

12. “No Scar?” by Amy Carmichael Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land; I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star. Hast thou no scar?

13. “No Scar?” by Amy Carmichael Hast thou no wound? Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent, Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned. Hast thou no wound?

14. “No Scar?” by Amy Carmichael No wound? No scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, And piercèd are the feet that follow Me; But thine are whole: can he have followed far Who hast no wound or scar?

15. Amy Carmichael Amy Carmichael was a missionary to orphans in India. She suffered much -- and bore much eternal fruit. Back in the 1920s, Amy rescued hundreds of orphaned children -- especially little girls that would be dedicated to Hindu gods for use in sexual temple rituals. By God's wonderful grace, some had miraculously escaped from such pagan slavery and were led to the Irish "mother" who lovingly cared for each child God sent her.

16. Amy Carmichael In 1931 she prayed, “God, please do with me whatever you want. Do anything that will help me to serve you better.” That same day, while serving the Lord in India, she fell, suffering fractures that would cripple her for the rest of her life. Not one to be discouraged or bitter when faced with pain or persecution, Amy now had the opportunity to demonstrate God's faithfulness before a much larger "host" of witnesses.

17. Amy Carmichael While her growing children had continual freedom to enter her bedroom and share their hearts with their beloved "mother," she now had the quiet times that allowed her to write books, poems, and letters that were translated and shared around the world.

18. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 What will be your attitude when sharing your faith in Jesus becomes increasingly difficult, culturally unacceptable or even illegal?

19. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 Will you wear your “beautiful scars” proudly as the disciples and Amy Carmichael did?

20. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 Will you wear your “beautiful scars” proudly as the disciples and Amy Carmichael did?

21. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29

22. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 “Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Galatians 6:17

23. “Beautiful Scars” Acts 5:17-42 Closing Prayer: Jesus, may You inspire us to more boldly live out our faith before others as a result of the example of the disciples and your faithful witnesses!