HOME CELL GUIDE (Sunday 10th June 2018)
Home Cell
On 3rd of June as a Nation, we celebrated Martyr’s Day as we remembered the Events of Namugongo. The Youth Pastor of ASCK Rev. Capt. Gideon Muhima shared on the Topic: The Sovereignty of God basing on the Rev 2:8-11 and John 17:1-5. The 4 Dioceses of Greater Kigezi organized the key Celebrations and there was a massive turn up of people for the various planned events: the Women’s Conference had over 1,200 participants, the Youth over 1,500 and Children over 2,000! Praise God indeed! The main Event on 3rd June had an estimation of over 20,000 people in attendance.
In his sermon, Rev Gideon Muhima reminded the Congregants that the Martyrs gave their lives for Christ without fear. The question is, what about us, would we be willing to give our lives for Christ like these martyrs? The Preacher highlighted some Biblical concepts regarding the sovereignty of God:
What does it mean that God is Sovereign?
• There are many beliefs and current World views that deny the sovereignty of our God. Many people ask ‘How can a good God allow so much evil and pain to take place?’. God is the Supreme and Incomparable Being and Ruler of everything [Psalm 47:1-9], He reigns over the Nations’ [1Tim1:17] and is the ‘Immortal, Invisible, the only God . . .’
• The answer to this Question of God’s Sovereignty [ if not handled [properly] can, affect our Faith, character, behavior and the way we look at and live our lives.
What does this mean for us? The Preacher considered the following factors/outcomes of believing in the sovereignty of our God:
1. A transformed perspective of the reality around us: Yes, we must contend with the picture of our reality: broken world, broken lives, dysfunctional families, wayward children and so on. We must become ‘blind’ (not ignore, but view differently) to these things, open our eyes to who God is and focus on that first and foremost. Reflect on [Col 1:15-20] and internalize the picture of the supremacy of Christ. ‘All things were created by him and for him … He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head . . . so that in everything He might have the supremacy.’ It must be in the light of the supremacy of Christ over these circumstances that we view these challenges.
2. A transformed perspective to suffering: Could it be that the suffering we go through has a part it plays in God’s Sovereignty and sovereign plan for us? Consider the example of Paul in 2 Cor 12: 7-10. Likewise, in Colossians Col 4:3 “Even in chains, Paul requests for prayers to proclaim the gospel”: what was Paul’s position and what key lesson do we see here?
3. A transformed perspective to death: The Uganda Martyrs faced death bluntly! They knew the sovereign God and had the desire like Paul above everything to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. [Phil 3:10-11]. Rev Gideon reminded the Congregants about Bishop Festo Kivengere’s remarkable quote in his Book entitled I Love Idi Amin. ‘A Church afraid of death is a dead Church.’
Guiding Questions and Prayer Items
1. In light of the above message, as a Cell take some time to praise God for his Sovereignty; [Psalms 24:1-2];
2. Mention some difficult circumstances which might bring doubts about the Sovereignty of God? Using some of the above Scriptures, share on how we can overcome this; and
3. In all circumstances, pray that Christ would have supremacy in your Life, Family, Church and Our Nation.
Revd. Canon Erisa Grace Sentongo
[Priest in Charge: Home Cells and Pastoral Care]
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