THE BLOOD OF THE MATYRS: THE SEED FOR/OF THE CHURCH

 CHURCH OF UGANDA – DIOCESE OF RUWENZORI

RUNYORO -8 RUTOORO ONLINE CHURCH SERVICE

SUNDAY 04.06.2023 | 3:30PM- 5:15PM (UGANDAN TIME)

MEN LEADING

Topic: THE BLOOD OF THE MATYRS: THE SEED FOR/OF THE CHURCH

Leader of Service: CHAPLAIN, AKIIKI MWANDARA AKIIKI

Preacher: ROBERT MUGISA ABWOOLI

Readings: PSALM 100; ACTS 7:50-60

MESSAGE/SERMON

Praise God, again I say, praise God in the highest! Amen.

I pray and I believe that all is well with you and loved ones.

  • My name is Robert Mugisa Abwooli, Son to Mr. & Mrs. Musana (Adyeri & Adyeeri) – Kamakune, Kigarama – Kiko Town Council, Kabarile district. Just as indicated on the circulated Flyer and the communication shared, I am a Lawyer by profession. Over the last twelve years, I have served as a Human Rights Lawyer and advocate. My desire is in seeing that everyone lives to enjoy their naturally granted rights and fundamental freedoms including the rights to life; freedom from torture; freedom of opinion and expression; own property; marry and found a family; education; health; among others.
  • I thank God for all enablement in relation to what each of us has been able to accomplish. Allow me share greetings from my dear family, Abooki and the children love you and they do pray for and with you.
  • Allow me also to thank God for the leadership of the Church, specifically, Diocese of Ruwenzori. I thank God for Bishop Reuben Kisembo Amooti, his dear wife and family together with all the people he serves/ministers with on a day to day basis. We are grateful as a Church and body of Christ that has never felt any hunger in the Spirit. In another special way, I appreciate the Chaplian, Rev. Isaac Mwandara; Akiiki Monica Rubombora and Akiiki Dr. Chris Kasaija.
  • I am thankful for the opportunity extended to me today to share in God's Word, focusing on the topic: THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS: THE SEED FOR/OF THE CHURCH.
  • When I was asked whether I would be available to share today, I quickly (as usual) responded in the affirmative but when Akiiki (Rev. Mwandara) told me what the topic was, I felt as though this was farfetched; as though it was for "big shots like the Bishop, sub Dean or even Akiiki himself. But I prayed over it and as I began to prepare, I got tempted to look at the net and I found that this topic was rather common. So, I didn't even bother opening any write up. Instead, I came back into the realm of the Spirit and asked Him to speak to me so that I could speak to the Church. Amen.
  • Let's consider the aspect of MARTYRDOM.
  • We cannot have martyrdom without a MARTYR, that is one who voluntarily suffers death rather than deny their religion by words or deeds; such action is afforded special, institutionalized recognition in most major religions of the world. So, definitely, martyrdom is the practice or process of one voluntarily undergoing suffering because of their religion - their faith in God, rather than denying it or the one in whom they have believed.
  • Two songs come to mind at this point:
  1. I pledge allegiance to the Lamb: https://youtu.be/gbVCi10aI18
  2. I know whom I have believed (I know not why): https://youtu.be/_bRV3J4n8cc
  • Praise God!
  • As Ugandans, this talk about martyrs came into perspective between 1885 and 1887 when a group of 45 Anglican and Roman Catholic martyrs were executed during the persecution of Christians under Kabaka Muwanga's reign (Buganda Kingdom).
  • The 45 martyrs included 23 Anglicans and 22 catholic converts. Their murder occurred partly in different places. Twenty-two catholic converts were murdered at Namugongo and the event has since inspired many Ugandans to form a strong sense of faith which is partly attributed to the heroic acts recorded in the chronicles of Uganda martyrdom of the 45 Uganda natives.
  • List of the Uganda Martyrs
  1. Yusuf Rugarama
  2. Kakumba Makko
  3. Sserwanga Nuwa
  4. Balikuddembe Mukasa
  5. Mukasa Musa
  6. Kaggwa Anderea
  7. Ngondwe Posiano
  8. Ssebuggwawo Denis
  9. Bazzekuketta Antanansio
  10. Gonza Gonzaga
  11. Mbwa Eriya
  12. Muddu-aguma
  13. Mulumba Matiya
  14. Muwanga Daudi

15.  Kayizzi Kibuuka

16.  Mawaggali Nowa

17.  Mayanja Kitoogo

18.  Muwanga

19.  Lwanga Karoli

20.  Baanabakintu Lukka

21.  Buuzabalyawo Yakobo

22.  Gyaviira

23.  Kiuuka Ambrosio

24.  Kiriggwajjo Anatoli

25.  Kiriwawanvu Mukasa

26.  Kiwanuka Achileo

27.  Kizito

28.  Lugido mukasa adolofu

29.  Mugagga

30.  Sserunkuuma Bruno

31.  Tuzinde mbaga

32.  Kadoko alexanda

33.  Mubi-Azaalwa

34.  Munyangabyangu Robert

35.  Kifamunnyanja

36.  Kiwanuka Giyaza

37.  Kizza Frederick

38.  Kwabafu

39.  Muwanga Njigija

40.  Lwakisinga Mukasa

41.  Lwanga

42.  Nakabandwa Danieri

43.  Wasswa

44.  Walukagga Nuwa

45.  Muzeeyi Jean-Marie
  • Bishop Hannington was the only foreign Uganda martyr to be murdered. The rest of the list is Buganda natives, most of whom were teens/youths.
  • Two more Uganda martyrs were executed by the use of spears in Paimpol in the year 1918. The two were Daudi Okelo and Jildo Iowa.
  • To date, we see people/Christians taking the trek to Namugongo. Thanks to the leadership of the Diocese of Ruwenzori.

THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS

  • The blood of the martyrs is calling!
  • I paint a picture in my mind that as these young people faced the wrath of their persecutor and executors, they allowed whatever would happen to them, to happen. Death, by whatever form brings emotions of pain and misery. Seeing people preparing for death and eventually accepting it is boldness incomparable. We therefore note that be it by spear or fire, by panga or knife, blood was released from their bodies. This blood, wherever it dropped, was the true seed upon which the church stands today. And, who is the church, you and me. Praise Jesus, amen.
  • I verily compare the blood of the martyrs to the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ who sits upon the throne of grace, interceding for you and me, that we may obtain mercy and grace just enough for each moment of our lives.
  • Also consider the aspect of a seed. Our memory runs to agriculture which forms a great part of Uganda’s economy. Every farmer needs seed to plant and once seeds have been planted, they are watered and all other processes follow until they bear fruit. The seed, I presume and I believe, makes a sacrifice to be placed into the soil to bear fruit for the farmer.
  • Seeds are of different kinds/types. In this regard, we too as believers grow and minister according to the type of seed that we are. But we can be sure that all of us belong to one farmer, Christ Jesus from whom we bear fruit for the entire world to feed from.
  • Likewise, the martyrs placed a seed of their blood, just like Jesus. They bore fruit and that fruit is what we have been feeding on since 1885 to date! Praise Jesus!

WHAT IS NEXT FOR US/WHAT IS REQUIRED OF US AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST?

  1. Be ready to sacrifice our lives just as the martyrs did. How many of us are ready to stand for the truth?
  2. Appreciate that nothing else matters but our souls. The body with all its desires lasts for a while but our Souls last for eternity. Let’s be careful to feed the soul more than the body, of course not forgetting to feed the body as well.
  3. Do good to all around us whether we know them or not, being the perfect examples of Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour – the Author and finisher of our faith.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Our dear heavenly Father, we worship your Holy name. Thank you for the gift of life and for the grace that we have upon us as attained from you. Thank you for the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ and for its power that caused the martyrs to voluntarily give up their lives for the sake of Your Holy Word and for their faith in You. Our desire is to be more like you O Lord, most high. We pray that we will always follow your example.

We pray for our persecutors. May they see the light and turn to you because you never want to see a sinner die but rather repent and get to the truth. May you bring the season for them to persecute the church to an end and may everyone experience your love and mercy.

Father, teach us to number our days and to stand for the truth at all times. We pray for courage to face the challenges that may come our way as we proclaim your Word to the ends of the earth.

We come against all works of the enemy. We declare and proclaim that we are more than conquerors, through Christ Jesus. Amen.

The link to the song NINGENDA NA YESU is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrDNU9buOLo 

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