Circumcision of the Heart

Preached by Pastor Tunji Adeyinka on the 26th of June, 1994

PASTOR OLATUNJI ADEYINKA was born on the 30th of October 1961 in Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up having his primary and secondary education in Lagos after which he went to the University of Ilorin and studied Electrical Engineering. While in school he got saved on the 12th November 1982 and immediately joined the University Christian Union where he served God fervently in various leadership positions.

As a Christian student, God committed into his hands the Ministry known as “THE PREACHER FOUNDATION” that was heavily involved in intercession, praying for nations and declaring the end-time move of God. He started the publication of The Preacher Magazine as a student in 1984 and this magazine while he was still on campus was being circulated across the nation of Nigeria with postage and distribution free.

After he graduated he continued with the work and also joined the family’s construction business. He later started his own Construction Company known as T & S Engineers Limited, while doing the ministry work part-time going from city to city preaching the gospel of the kingdom and continuing with the publication of The Preacher Magazine.

In 1993, having heard from heaven that it’s time to go full time and that God has said to him “Go fulfil your pupil-age” and that was under Bishop David Oyedepo because three years back he had already joined the Living Faith Church also known as Winners’ Chapel in Lagos-Nigeria, as a member, worshiping and serving God there. Up till that time, he was the head of the Winners’ Chapel Prayer Band. He had earlier been ordained as a Pastor in Living Faith Church Worldwide in December 1991 to enable him carry on the work of the ministry. He therefore came under the tutelage of Bishop David Oyedepo, with whom he worked personally and very closely in his journey and sojourn in the Living Faith Church Worldwide.

While in the Living Faith Church, he was heavily involved in various aspects of the ministry. He was involved in the take off of the construction of the ministry’s base in Raji Oba in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

In 1994, he became the Assistant Pastor in the Garden of Faith Kaduna with an above 5,000 membership. In 1995, he was posted as a Missionary to Ethiopia where he served God. In 1996 he moved to Kenya yet as a missionary. In May 1997, he was used by God to start the branch of Winners’ Chapel in Ethiopia with an attendance of 673 members the first day. In 1998, he was back in Lagos to oversee the construction and development of Canaan Land-Ota as the Project Director of the construction of The Faith Tabernacle, accredited as the largest church auditorium (now 2nd largest) in the world, a 50,000-Seater Capacity Structure built in one year.

He was again posted to Ethiopia in 1999 and then moved to Kenya as the Senior Pastor of the church in the year 2000. In 2001, he came back home and served various capacities and cities. He was the Project Chairman of the 1st phase development of Covenant University project where he served faithfully and buildings completed also in record time. He was elevated to the position of Vice-President Physical Planning and Development, being one of the three vice presidents of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, under the Presidency of Bishop David Oyedepo. He was posted to the city of Jos, Plateau State Nigeria in February 2004 as the Senior Pastor and later Diocesan Head of Jos Diocese. By the time he was leaving Jos in May 2006 the membership attendance had increased from about 3000 to above 7000.

God has used him in various capacities, in construction, missionary work and in pastoring with tremendous results to show that the Hand of God is resting on him.

Now he is set to do what God has committed into his hand, which is raising men for the end-time onslaught against the kingdom of satan.

God has commissioned him to raise men and women loaded with Power and Wealth in the Continent of Africa to bring about a major revival and restoration of the glory of the Church in Africa.

God has taken him through all these different phases of life and ministry over the years, and with the wealth of experience he has gathered in various capacities of leadership under great men of God, he is now set to impart same into the lives of the people that God brings him along side with.

He is married to Modupe Adeyinka who is an ordained Minister of the Gospel and their marriage is blessed with three children- Tolu, Funke and Joshua.

Intro

Behold... I will do a new thing... now... it shall spring forth... shall ye not know it? ...I... will even make a way in the wilderness... and rivers... in the desert... God’s servant is here with the Word... of Life... The entrance of the Word, will make a way... out of your wilderness... and spring out rivers of joy... in the deserts of your life... in the Name of Jesus... now... God’s servant...

Message Commences

Praise the Lord, let’s be seated... in that position, let’s open to the book of Philippians... chapter 3... and lets... hear... from the Word of God... this morning... Philippians chapter 3... I want to look at... the... title, Circumcision... of the heart... what does it mean... and what do we gain... by it... Circumcision of the heart... verse 1... finally, my brethren... rejoice... in the Lord... to write... the same things to you... to me... indeed... is not grievous... but for you... it is safe... beware! ...of dogs... beware... of evil workers... beware... of the concision... for we are of the circumcision, which worship God... in the spirit... and rejoice... in Christ Jesus... and have no confidence... in... the flesh... halleluyah... verse 2... beware... of dogs... beware... of dogs! ...beware... of evil workers... beware... of... the concision... why?! ...because we don’t belong... to any of those three categories... why again? ...because it is not permitted of God, that we have fellowship with them... because it is not permitted of God... that we mix... with them... because if we do... then it will work against us... who are we? ...the Bible says, we are the circumcision... of God... we are the circumcision

that worships Christ... in the spirit... we are not! ...of the dogs... we are not! ...of the evil workers... we are not!! ...of the concision...

The dogs... in the book of Matthew... this... Canaanite woman, came to the Lord Jesus Christ... beseeching Him, the Son of David, have mercy on me... because of my son... and He told her... it is not meet (suitable) for me to give the children’s meat... to dogs... that is the Lord Jesus Christ considered... the outsiders... to the covenant... that you and I belong to... as dogs... and the woman didn’t even argue... she accepted it... I agree... I... I’m a dog... but also... I know that dogs do eat of the crumbs that fall down... from the master’s table... so you and I... we are in the category... of masters... we are not dogs! ...the unbelievers, the Bible classify... as... dogs! ...clearly written... so when you... as a believer... you don’t take heed... to this Word that says, beware! ...of the unbelievers... not be afraid, no but... beware, be mindful... like Corinthians says... for what fellowship... has light... with darkness... for what fellowship has... believers with unbelievers... for what fellowship has Christ... with belial... you... beware...

There have been many of us that... in times... of need... the first person we think of... happens to be an unbeliever... it times... of distress... the company you run to for counsel... is the company of unbelievers... but the scripture says here this morning... beware... of dogs... the next one says, beware... of... evil doers... when you talk of evil

doers... agreed, you are talking of unbelievers, but much more... in the midst of congregations... like this... in the midst of the gathering... of God’s people... you have evil doers... I’m not saying God’s children... but I mean, even in association... you have what the Bible refers to, as the mixed... multitude... so even in the midst... of the congregation... anyone... whose... attitude... whose character... whose behaviour... whom the words... of his mouth... does not speak... according... to the Truth of the Word of God... is classified as an evil doer... anyone whose conduct of life... does not reflect... the Life that we bear... in referred to... as an evil doer... whether he comes to church not withstanding... the Bible talks of wolves... in sheep’s clothing... so when you hear the words... of evil doers... you need to look very well... now the next one is even more serious... he said, beware... of... the concision... the concision there is talking of the circumcision... you know, Paul here... being a Jew, he knows what he is talking about... every Jew... is circumcised... you know that’s the covenant God gave Abraham... we will get to that shortly... and you remember... that, even when Christ came... the people that withstood Him most... where the religious leaders of their time...they were the ones... that were always finding fault... they were the ones... that carried... the holier than thou attitude... the concision, the circumcision... they are the ones that believe... so much... in the works... of the flesh... they believe so much in works... they believe so much in it... meanwhile, works saves no man... they are the concision... they withstood... the disciples of Christ, even with Christ Himself... for eating with unbelievers... they withstood them for eating without washing their hands... they are so religious... they can... rope you... with religious doctrine... they don’t allow... the people of God to enjoy the liberty... that is purchased for us... by the blood of Christ... they sit day and night... discussing doctrine... “if you wear head tie on your head... you don’t put head tie on your head... ehn... don’t do this... do that” ...they... they sit down discussing doctrine... they sit down

looking at the person who is doing it... the one who is not doing it... they are the Pharisees... they hold! ...unto the key of knowledge... they don’t enter... neither do they allow others to enter... they can quote... scriptures... they can... they can put it together for you... but the Bible says, beware of them... when we get into this message... you will begin to see the distinctions between both... you see, because... even with Abraham, our Father... the Bible reveals, with Abraham also... there are two... children... we will get to it... so when you talk of circumcision... there is circumcision... and also, there is the concision... there is the circumcision of flesh... and there is the circumcision of the spirit... so the scriptures are saying here... beware... of the circumcision of the flesh!

...let’s read from the book of... Genesis 17... let’s see... circumcision here... as God gave it to Abraham... from verse 9... and God said unto Abraham... Thou shall keep My covenant... therefore... Thou... and thy seed after thee... in their generations... this... is My covenant... that you shall keep... between Me... and you... and thy seed... after you... every man child among you shall be circumcised... and ye shall circumcise... the flesh of your fore-skin... and it shall be a token... of the covenant... between Me... and you... and he that is... 8 days old... shall be circumcised... among you... every man child... in your generation... he that is born in the house... or bought with money... or... any stranger... which is not... of thy seed... he that is born in thy house... and he that is bought... with thy money... must need to be circumcised... and my covenant... shall be... in your flesh... for an everlasting covenant... and the uncircumcised man-child... whose flesh... of his fore-skin is not circumcised, that soul... shall be cut off... from his people... he has broken... My covenant... You see here, that God brought the circumcision of the flesh... God... brought it... God brought to Abraham here... the circumcision of the flesh... and it was so serious... that the man-child that was not circumcised... even though he be the child of Abraham... had no relationship with God... it was that serious... so when we talk about circumcision of the flesh, yes... God, brought it... but it was for a time... it was... for... a time... circumcision... of the flesh... was what God brought... to... make His covenant... or, to bring Abraham, and his seed after him... into a covenant relationship with Him... that is the circumcision of the flesh... but if you read in the book of Colossians... Colossians... chapter 2... we hear a new... story... in the New Testament... verse 11... he says, in whom also... ye... are... circumcised... this is to believers now... but it didn’t stop there... in whom also ye... are circumcised... with the circumcision made... without... hands... that means obviously it can’t be the circumcision of the flesh... we are circumcised... with the circumcision made without... hands... in putting off... the body... of the sins... of the flesh... by the circumcision... of Christ... that is the circumcision that we are circumcised with... is one without hands... it is the circumcision... of the heart... it says, and it is the circumcision by which... we put off... this body of sin... we put off this corrupted... body... we put off... this old... nature... that is the circumcision of the heart... so when you look at the two... sides of it... the circumcision of the flesh... take pride... in the works... of man... because, it is... by the flesh... we who are the circumcision of the spirit... have a different view altogether... and that was why... the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Scribes, and the religious leaders, that was one... major reason... why they couldn’t understand Christ... because they depended so much on their efforts and physical exertion to keep written laws... and you know... the Lord told us... that... cursed is every man... that refuses to walk in this law by doing... so they were so engrossed... by what... they could do... they were so

engrossed... by the strength they must apply... they were so engrossed... by the struggles of life to make it... but even with their struggles... the Bible, makes us know... that they still couldn’t walk in complete faithfulness to... the law... and you know... it’s not that... the law could not... fulfil righteousness in them, as a matter of fact, Paul said... if righteousness could come by anything the law would bring it... but God! ...knew... that no man... born of a woman... could fulfil... the law... that’s why the Bible refers to the law... as... being brought by God... to tutor us... to reveal the unrighteousness of the fallen state of man after Adam’s sin, so that no man can glory in God’s Presence, and bring us unto the perfect state to which you and I belong now...

it is said in Hebrews, having found fault with the first covenant, God took it away, and established the second... the time... of the circumcision... of the flesh... is gone... and that is why... the scriptures here in Philippians is admonishing us believers... to beware... of the concision... Paul who wrote this, knew exactly what he was saying... because there was a time... when Paul had to confront Peter... to the face... as he put it... and what did Peter do... Peter... was being hypocritical in his treatment of the gentile believers when some Jewish believers arrived from Jerusalem... he was being mindful of the circumcision of the flesh... if apostle Peter could be mindful... of the circumcision of the flesh, and could be taken away... we have to be much more careful... if he could be taken away... because... he was eating with them, when he saw... the Jews coming... he had been eating with the gentiles... he decided to... turn away, because it was not permitted under the Old covenant... that is, in the New covenant... he still did that... and Paul... withstood him... to the face... and that’s why he said, if I again... build that which I destroy... I become... a transgressor... of the law... we are not! ...operating... under... the law... we are not! ...operating by the circumcision... of the flesh... we are operating... under a New Covenant, under a new law... altogether... and if you... as a child of God... are still engrossed... with the struggles... of the flesh... you still have your focus... on works of your efforts without faith! ...then you still have a long way... to go... but God wants us to see something here this morning... in terms... of the circumcision of the heart... we will come back to our text in Philippians... he says, for we... are the circumcision... which worship God... in... the... spirit... now let’s look at Romans... chapter 2... Romans chapter 2... verse 28... listen... it’s becoming clearer now... he says... for he is not... a Jew... which is one outwardly... neither... is that circumcision... which is... outward... in the flesh! ...but he is... a Jew... which is one... inwardly... and circumcision... is that... of the heart! ...in the spirit... and not! ...in the letter... whose praise, is not... of men... but of God... he is not... a believer... he is not... a Christian... if he be a Christian outwardly... he is not... a child of God... if he be a child of God outwardly! ...and that in the flesh... but he is... a child of God... with the circumcision... of the heart... in the spirit... so when you are there seated... as a child of God... you don’t give great emphasis and focus to your flesh... in all that you do... as the place from where you can draw strength! ...you will find yourself... operating... in the flesh... that’s why the Lord Jesus Christ was speaking in the book of John chapter four that we know so well... that woman... was priding herself... in the circumcision of the flesh... she was... revealing to us... how... much doctrinal strife and argument... the circumcision of the flesh... had brought... she was showing us, how it is that... in the circumcision of the flesh... you can’t be devoid... of doctrinal striving and argument... she said, our fathers have told us... that we should worship in this... in

this mountain... but you Jews said it is there... Christ said, it is not necessary... He said, because a time is coming, and He is talking of our age and time which commenced after His ascension into heaven... when... the true... worshippers... that is... people have been worshipping God... with different attitudes... people had been worshipping God, with different attitudes... if there are true worshippers, that means there had also been false worshippers... that means... there are those that are 50% in and 50% out... He said, the time... is coming... the hour is coming... and now is... when the true worshippers... will worship God... in... the... spirit...

I believe God wants us to get something clear here this morning... because many of us, many a time, have had problems that we find difficult to take care of... even when we see the scriptures... boldly and clearly... that addresses that situation directly... we still find it difficult... to apply to our lives and benefit from... the major problem... is that... we are trying to appropriate scriptures... in the strain and exertion of the flesh... but the generation... of the flesh... is gone... He has taken it away... the generation of... of the ordinances of man... the generations of... of carnal things... has been taken away... the times... that they had to go to where... the symbols of God... were physically present... they have been done... away... and that was why when Jesus died... that big curtain... that separates the Holy of holies from the Holy place... was torn... into two, from top to bottom... signifying... the beginning of a new kind... a new order of worship altogether... you can imagine... after that time, some people would still go there to... slay animals... they would still go there to do a lot of things, but God was no longer there... and God would not be to blame... so... he is not a Jew... on the outside alone... but he is a Jew... on the inside... and anybody whose worship... must be acceptable to God... not even acceptable... anybody whose worship, must reach unto God... must have to do it, in the spirit... you can sing songs... you can sing psalms... you can sing scriptural hymns... but, you must do it... from... the... spirit... you know why, he said... for God... is a Spirit... God... is a Spirit... and that’s why we are not making physical contact with Him... He is here... He is that invisible force... that is controlling... everything... so... if you must walk... with Him... if you must receive from Him... if you must flow... with Him... you must be translated... to operate at the same frequency... with which God is operating...

In Engineering we know... that if you have certain signals coming... at certain frequencies... you can block that signal... if you can transmit something to flow with it... in the same frequency from which it is being directed... and if you want to harmonize it also... or you talk of synchronism... if you want to synchronize... systems... they have to be at the same frequency... but... what we mean by if you want to synchronize systems... you must make the two of them flow... at the same... frequency... then both will be working together... and you can imagine how easy life is, if God is carrying your load... so God wants us to know... how to get ourselves... to flow... in the same frequency... with Him... because that is the only way... that is the only way by which we can receive... from God... he says... Philippians again... we are the circumcision which worships God... in... the... spirit... and we rejoice... in Christ... Jesus... we are the circumcision which worships God in the spirit... which brings to mind John chapter 6... Jesus Christ telling them... it is only the spirit that quickens... the

flesh... it profits... nothing... you cannot win God’s favour with the energy of the flesh in this new dispensation... we must know how to walk with God... in the spirit... we must know how to relate with God... in the spirit... we must know how to get our hearts united with God... in the spirit...

I read a woman’s book that really affected my life... Lived in Prayer... and in the testimony of that woman... this was a woman that had lived... as a believer... for 41yrs, before she began to encounter God in a closer, more intimate dimension... in her testimony about her prayer life... when she began to know to listen to God in prayer... and hear Him... her life changed completely... you can imagine in your current situation in life... you can imagine how it would be to hear God say things to you

about that situation... He has the Wisdom for every situation... I’m sure, every single one of us here desires that experience... because we keep struggling... we keep looking for where the solution will come from... God where are you? Are you hiding yourself? And He is not hiding, we are the ones hiding... and the Bible says the Voice of the Lord... is as the voice of many waters... the Voice of the Lord is full of majesty... the Voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire... breaks Cedars... all!! Manner of things... if only you can position yourself... to hear His Voice... you can be sure that everything is taking off (Nigerian slang for success)... we heard the testimony of a man of God again... very old man... very prosperous man that said... in all his years... about 40, 50 years in the business world... he has never done a business and failed... they say, what do you do? ...he said, I only wait to hear Him... and you can’t hear Him... except you be in the spirit... the apostle John said, I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day (Revelations 1:10)... and I heard... I want you to leave this place today determined... to have your spirit trained up... to God... because, except we open up... in our heart... except we get our hearts properly circumcised... with God... we won’t be enjoying our covenant benefits... as we should... the blessings and the benefits of God... the apostle Paul says, and we rejoice... in Christ Jesus... to rejoice... in God... is like what... Jeremiah prophesied... God said, let him that glory... glory in these things... in that he knows... he knows and understands Me... as a God... of righteousness... of loving-kindness... and of judgement (Jeremiah 9:23 & 24)... you can’t get... to the class of rejoicing in God... except you know Him... you can’t... and as a matter of fact, we are not going to discuss that... but you know this popular scripture, this... Philippians 3 that we have been talking about... that the major theme there is that we may know Him... and all the things that Paul was stating... are

the ways he organised himself that he may know God... to rejoice in God... is to be able to pride yourself... that you know and understand Him! ...as a God of loving-kindness... you’ve seen the manifestation of His loving-kindness... a God of righteousness... a God of judgement! ...and he says, we have no confidence... in... the flesh... this is the major problem... of all the ones we have been talking about that faces believers... we have no confidence... in... the flesh...

You know what flesh is talking about... these days... flesh will always talk about corruption to you... Genesis chapter 6... the Bible says, all... flesh... has corrupted his way... all flesh... has corrupted... his way... that’s Genesis... and Paul speaking... in Romans chapter 7... he is talking to us about the bondage of the flesh... in saying, therefore in me... that is... in my flesh... dwells... no... good... thing... and that is the flesh to which many of us... are putting our trust... let me show us another scripture again... as it has to do with putting our trust in the flesh...and we see that in the book of Jeremiah... Jeremiah chapter 3... it seems Isaiah is not coming up

today... Jeremiah chapter 3... verse... 23... he says, truly... in vain... is salvation hoped for... from the hills... and from the multitude of mountains... the hills... and the mountains... are talking about... the big men... of the society... in this context... the strength... of human society... he said... truly... in vain... is salvation hoped for... in them... he says... for... in the Lord... our God... is the salvation... of Israel... you can be so... equipped... physically... you can be so... equipped physically... you can know everybody that is to be known... and your trust in them will still bring you into vain efforts...

Hear what the Bible is saying in 2nd Chronicles... King Hezekiah... when Syria came against him... and the man began to pray... and seek God... and he told them, he said for with you... is what is called the arm of flesh... but with us... is our God... to save us... and God dealt with the Syrians Himself... without His people even fighting...

which one do you want? ...God destroyed... their enemies for them physically, and they didn’t even carry swords... I want you to know, people of God that... our Father... is real... He is with us... He is... for us... He wants to intervene... in the situations of our lives... He is not pleased... seeing us buffeted (Suffering)... no! ...God is not... He is not pleased, seeing us fail in any situation of life, He is not pleased... but He says again... what will I do... when my people turn their back... to their enemies... that’s God speaking... God says, I can’t do anything... if my own people... turn their back... to their enemy... Ephraim is armed... for battle... but when he goes to the battle front, he turns his back... and you know... Bible scholars have told us, if you look at the Armour of God... there is no protection for the back... turning our back to the enemy... is... neglecting... the great resources... that we have in our heart... by our connection with God...

We all know the example of David... we consider David to be a mighty man of war... but we all know that at points... at every time... David... the Bible would always say, ...and David enquired of the Lord... David enquired of the Lord... David enquired of the Lord... and God was always telling him what next to do... when Jehoshaphat and his host faced 3 enemy nations united against them with the impending

defeat... they sought the Lord... God spoke... and interestingly when God spoke... the battle that they have been crying about... the battle that they had thought would destroy them, God said you won’t even need to fight in it... how sweet it is to hear the Voice of God in your life today... God told them... they had been struggling... they had been bowed down... they thought they were gone... but at the last resort, they said let’s seek God... and when God spoke to them, He said sorry, you won’t even need to fight... that means we have situations confronting our lives today, that we think wants to overcome us... but when we will hear God, God is telling us that... don’t consider it, you won’t even need to do anything... that you won’t even need to raise a finger... against that situation... because... He is for us! ...you know, Joshua was there... overseeing the wall of Jericho... and... as a man of war... who had been brought up... in an environment of warfare... Joshua was calculating... as a war general...”... yes, if I send 20 soldiers there... 30 there... you know if we do this, we will occupy them...”, God said... if I don’t give this man an experience... he will kill all My people for Me... so... He appeared to him... and Joshua... said, are You for

us or against us... He said, you are joking... I am not for you... and I am not against you... but I am the Captain... you are the one... that should be for Me... He said, as the Captain of the Lord’s hosts have I now come... that this wall of Jericho... that is so... big... that is so mighty... that you are... that you can’t sleep very well, you know he woke up very early... that you are cracking your brain on how you are going to get in... He said, you won’t have to touch it... I will sink it... by Myself... God sank it... He sank it! ...they didn’t even touch it... He sank it... by Himself... you can have situations over your life now, that looks like the wall... of Jericho... the God... that sank the first wall... is your Father today... and He can still sink it, and He is here to sink it for you... we only need to know to link up with Him... we only need to know... to be open... in the heart... because God is a Spirit... and anyone that will come to God... anyone that will receive anything from God... anyone that will enjoy anything from God... must do it... from the spirit being... he says, and we have no confidence... in the flesh... for we are the circumcision... which worship God... in the spirit... and we rejoice... in... Christ... Jesus... and we have no confidence... in the flesh...

If you talk of the flesh again, we run to Romans chapter 8... Romans chapter 8... we have a lot of scriptures there... let’s start from verse 7... because, the carnal man... ok, in fact we should have started from verse 1, but let’s save time and start from verse 6... oh God of heaven, from verse 5... ...Pastor Tunji chuckles... you know... let’s start from verse 1, I’m trying to save time, but ehn... let’s just have our time... with Him... he says, there is therefore now... no! ...condemnation whatsoever! ...to them which are in Christ! ...Jesus... whose circumcision... is not of the flesh... but... of the spirit... that’s what he is saying... if you are now in Christ... and you are still walking... after the order... of the circumcision of the flesh... can’t you see that there will be trouble? ....there is therefore now no condemnation... to them who are in Christ Jesus... who walk not after... the flesh... but after the spirit... for the law! ...of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus... has made me free... from the law of sin and death... for what the law could not do... in that it was weak through the flesh... God! ...sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh... and for sin... condemned sin... in the flesh... that the righteousness of the law... might be fulfilled... in us... who... walk not... after the flesh...

but after... the spirit... that is, even the righteousness of the law... for it to be fulfilled... it can only be fulfilled in us... who walk after the spirit... for those that are... after the flesh... do mind the things... of the flesh... but they that are after the spirit... do mind the things... of... the... spirit... let us develop... an attitude... today... to begin to get conscious... and mindful... of the things of the

spirit... pay attention... to develop your spirit... pay great attention to it... because, until you do that... you won’t be able to enjoy God... as much as you should... he said, for to be carnally minded... is death... but to be spiritually minded... is life! ...and peace... you can still be... a believer... and be carnally minded... don’t be deceived... but the Bible says, that won’t profit anything... you are already... a new creature in Christ... your spirit... is already regenerated... that is if you are born-again... so you have access to God... remember that’s what Hebrews says... he said, He has made... an access to us by a new and living way... we have that access... our spirit... is now... alive... with God... so let us do that... let us take an adventure, into the spirit... because, the carnal mind is enmity... against God... for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be... so they that are in the flesh... cannot please... God... he said, they that are in the flesh... cannot please God... and Hebrews says, for without faith... it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)... that is, you cannot exercise faith, if you are in the flesh... many of us... we want to exercise faith... that’s where I am going... we see the scriptures... by His stripes... I am healed... and this... thing is troubling your body... you know... that scripture... in fact, you can quote... everywhere it is written... but you... just can’t seem to get your healing from it... and you come to church the following day, and somebody comes to share testimony

of how he got his own... it is because, faith... is of the spirit... you cannot operate it in the flesh... faith... is of the spirit... it comes from the heart... for with the heart... man believes (Romans 10:10)... and you know, why it has to do with your heart... you can’t rush over it... you have to take time... you have to take... conscious time... settle down with it... and get the Word to your heart... then faith can come...

because faith comes... faith comes by hearing... and even hearing by the Word of God... even the Word of God, He said, the Words that I speak unto you... they are spirit... and they are life (John 6:63)... the letter of the Word will not profit you anything (mental ascent only)... but the Spirit of the Word... if you can connect with Him from your heart... your spirit... you have all that He has to offer...

So the letter kills, but it is the spirit that does what... it is the spirit that gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6)... it is the Spirit... that quickens... but we are not... in the flesh, but in the spirit... if so be that the Spirit... of God dwells in you... now... if anyone have not... the Spirit of Christ... he is none... of His... so... as a believer, you have the Spirit of Christ... why not let’s give Him attention... just like that woman... the widow of that prophet... that her husband died, and... they were in debt... and went to Elisha... the man of God... Elisha said... what do you have in your house... he was asking that

woman... what is the stuff... in your spirit... the thing that you have on

the inside... is enough to bail you out of any situation of life... it is by the Word of God... don’t... keep looking for who will help you... what do you have inside you... however little... Christ even helped us... He says, you don’t need big faith... you only need faith as little as that of a mustard seed... and we have been told a mustard seed is one of the smallest, am I right? ...so you don’t need big scriptures... but which one is in your heart... what is inside you?

...I remember when Reverend Joe... Equino was here... a few times... 2 weeks ago I was talking... he talked to us about how we take a lot of time... particularly, our women... to dress... the body... now, if only we can know... to take the time... to dress the inner man... we will be... better off... outwardly... we will be far... better off...

outwardly... let us learn to give attention... and focus... to our inner man... no wonder Paul prayed... that you may be strengthened with might... in your... inner... man... we need that strength... we need that strength... if a man fail... in the time of adversity... it is because... his strength is small (Proverbs 24:10)... and if you don’t want to fail... that means you must get... your strength... up... and the only way to get your strength up as a believer... is from

within... God... does not need your physical strength... He does not need your physical attributes... He does not need your physical abilities... as a matter of fact, if you go down Philippians chapter 3... where Paul was saying... if anybody has anywhere whereof he might glory in the flesh, I more... and he begin to list his core qualities in the flesh... but he said they are nothing, I had to throw

them away... to win the Excellency... of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord... God does not need your qualifications... as a matter of fact, as 1st

Corinthians tells us that God delights... in using the weak things of the world to put to nothing the mighty... so that no flesh will glory... in His Presence... but by the time you are still striving... in the mountains... and the hills... and the forces of the Egyptians... you don’t have anywhere going... Oh God, he has come in... Isaiah... Isaiah says... woe to him that goes down... to Egypt for help... he said for the Egyptians... are men... and not God... and their horses... are flesh... and not spirit... he said when the Lord shall stretch forth His Hand... both the one that

went for help... and the one that is helping... will fall together... for... in God... is the salvation... of Israel... our salvation, is in Him... and if we must get the salvation out of Him... we must have an encounter with Him in the spirit... that is why the day you got saved... you were not the only man in that congregation that was not saved... we make altar calls like we have here today... some people might be here today, and still go home not saved... but somebody might be here... today... and hear the Word, and touch wood with it... and he

is saved! ...is God partial?! No! ...He is not a respecter of persons... but God... will always respond to faith... and faith... is of the heart... faith is of the heart...

Paul speaking... Galatians... he said... when it pleased God... who separated me from my mother’s womb... to reveal His Son... in me... I conferred not... with flesh and blood... because flesh and blood wouldn’t do this work... as a matter of fact, it was from flesh and blood, that God separated him... flesh and blood... is his mother’s womb... and that was where you and I have been separated from... we have been separated from flesh and blood... we have been brought... into... a new covenant... of spirits... so... as long as you keep seeking... after the arm... of flesh and blood... it won’t profit! ...he said, I conferred not with flesh... and blood... and his own was so serious... that he said, neither went I to those who were apostles before me... I didn’t go out to them... I didn’t run after them... I went, and hid myself... quietly with Him... that’s why he could say... that these things I am saying... I was not taught by any man... but by the direct revelation... of Jesus Christ... and that’s why we could see the distinction... between Paul... and the rest... Peter said it... he said, when Paul speaks just be careful... if you don’t understand it, leave him... he said because many things he is saying they

are true... but hard to be understood... Peter was already an apostle before Paul got saved... so you find out that it is what you have within... that you can only pride on... that is what you can... trade... that is your currency... with which you can... purchase... all you ever need... or ever want... it is what is within... agreed we know... that there are... a few other times... by association... by company... in the Sovereignty of God, He does things for us... simply because we are called by His Name... don’t you know in Ezekiel... I will do it for My Name... so God does such things... but they don’t just come all the time... and you can’t even know when they will come... because, those are the times... that He chooses to do such things... flesh and blood... cannot reveal... anything to you... Peter... said... thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God... He said, flesh and blood has not revealed it

to you... you can’t catch any revelation in the flesh... and you know, if you don’t get revelation... you don’t get revolutionalized... if you don’t get the revelation of the Word of God... you don’t get translated... if you don’t get revelation behind the Word... you don’t get transformed! ...you can sit and read the scriptures for 24 hrs of the day... but if you are not keenly connected in the spirit... it might not work... though... the more time you stay with it... the more it will find its way to your heart anyway...

...but I want us to understand something... from today, let us as God’s people... because

we are spirits... I believe we know that, we are spirits... let’s pay attention... to the circumcision of our heart... let’s get the Word of God in... because the circumcision of our heart... is not made with hands... it is by the Invisible Hand of God... by His Word... and we need to get... our focus there... in closing... we read from Galatians... chapter 4... verse 22... for... it is written... that Abraham... had... two... sons... Abraham... had... two... sons... just like you and I... you know what Christ said...

John 17... we are in this world... but we are not... of this

world... that means... He is talking about operation in two worlds... that you are here... as a believer... in this world... but you are not of this world... as you live here, and operate by some rules and laws here... you still have to operate... by the laws and the rules of the Kingdom from where you come... Abraham... had two sons... so if just being the son of Abraham alone would do it... let us see it... the one... by a bond-maid... and the other... by a free-woman... but he who was of the bond-woman... was born... after... the flesh... but he... of the free-woman... was... by... promise... that is the circumcision of the heart... he that is of the free woman... was by promise... which things are an allegory... for these... are the two covenants... the one from mount Sinai... which enters unto bondage... which is Hagar... and... for this Hagar... is mount Sinai in Arabia... and answers to Jerusalem... which now is... and is in bondage... with her children... he is talking about two covenants... talking about two covenants... there is one... Sinai... and there is this same covenant... but listen to this...

he says, but Jerusalem... which is above... is free! ...which is the mother of us all... that is though... you are here... subjected to these... physical... limitations... but because of your connection... to the Jerusalem that is above... which is free... you can consciously continuously enjoy... the liberty... that is of God... now...

He says, for it is written... rejoice thou barren... that... bearest not... and break forth and cry... thou that travailest not... for the desolate has many more children... than she which has... an husband... now... ye brethren... as Isaac was... as children of promise... but as then... he that was born after the flesh...persecuted he that was born after the spirit... even so...it is now... you know the Bible says... for the flesh lusts against the spirit... and the spirit against the flesh... so we are in a contention here God’s people... and that’s why the scripture said... to whom ye yield yourselves to obey... he you would obey, and his servant you would be... so... we are God’s people... because we have all these situations around us not withstanding... we are still God’s people... and it does not reduce... or diminish the fact... that we are above all! ...but we are in a contention! ...as it were, we are in a battle! ...but He says... closing it... that nevertheless... what says the scripture... cast out the bond woman and her son... for the son of the bond-woman... shall not be heir... with the son of the free-woman... so then

brethren... we are not children of the bond-woman... but... of the free... now you have... the responsibility... to cast out... all the influences... and the effects... of this carnal nature... so that you can enjoy... the liberty... and the freedom... and the deliverance... and the salvation... that the new... nature... offers us... you have to consciously! ...do that... the Bible says, we have put off the old nature... now, let us put on Christ... and let it be properly put on... and we will find out... that we have all! ...it takes... at every point in time! ...to deal... with any situation... that comes our way...

Jerusalem that is from above... the Bible says... is free... and Hagar... that is

mount Sinai... answers... to it... that is everything that is of this world will answer to faith... it will answer! ...to faith... if you let that faith come... from your heart... it will always answer to it... and that is why

you can be sick in the body... you say no, by His stripes I am healed... you say it by faith... and the sickness vanishes... it is answering to faith... you can stand... as a child of God... with... proper circumcision of the heart... and rule... your world... because... that world is made... to answer to you... Jerusalem that is from above... the Bible says in John... He that is from above... is above all... Jerusalem that is from above... is above all... and... is... free! ...we have been made free... we have been set free... we only need to see it... walk by it... and enjoy it... and nothing... will be able to hold us down...

Jeremiah 17... we will read this... and we close... we should bless ourselves with it... in closing... thus saith the Lord... cursed... be the man... that trusts in man... and makes flesh... his arm... whose heart departs from the Lord... you know... Jesus Christ said, you can’t serve God and mammon... you can’t trust in God, and trust in man at the same time... he says, for he shall be... like... the heath... in the desert... and shall not see when good comes... but shall inhabit the parched places... in the wilderness... in

a salt land... and not inhabited... but listen... blessed... is the man... that trusts... in... the Lord... whose hope... the Lord... is... that’s a very powerful statement... whose hope, the Lord is... for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters... and that spreads out... her roots... by the rivers... and shall not see when heat comes... but her leaves shall be green... and shall not be careful in the year of drought... neither shall... cease... from yielding... fruit... so we always... all the time, have two categories... the man who is trusting in God... the man who is trusting in the flesh... like I said... to trust in God, you must do it from a circumcised heart... it must be from your spirit, because God is a spirit... and that’s why God... in Jeremiah also was crying to His people... He said, break up the fallow grounds My people... break it up... the hardness... of your heart... break it up... break up the fallow grounds... and God will rain the rain... of righteousness upon you... Hosea says the same thing... and Joel speaking... in Joel chapter 2, when he was talking to them... he said, rend your hearts... not your garments... rend your hearts... not your garments... break up... the fallow grounds... and God... will rain upon you... a rain... of righteousness... because it is... in these last days... He has... one Name... that God tries to be called... or to get us associated with, Jeremiah says it... he says, and this is the Name wherewith He shall be

called... The Lord... our Righteousness... we have no way out... in these last days... except by God... no man... no woman... no situation... on earth today, can survive the current pressure and heat in the world... that is here... except by God... and you and I that have already known Him... you and I that are already called by His Name... we are the opportuned ones... on earth today... we are the privileged ones... on earth... today... we have already been separated... from the heat of the hearth... now let us strive by ourselves... to retain... our place... and walk in it... and if you are here... you are not saved... if you are not born again... if you have not... given your life over to Christ... you can’t... trust God by any means... you are flesh... spirit, soul and body... and the Bible says the flesh... profits no man... nothing... so we are going to welcome you today... to get... yourself into the covenant of Abraham... that is the covenant of the new Jerusalem... that is free... and that is above all... so that you can with us... begin... a walk of developing your heart... and always walk victoriously... let us rise up...

People of God... there is this one thing I want us to know... there is... a reason... you know... God... is a God... of purpose... there is a reason why God... is coming to us... in this manner... and the reason is this... God wants you to know... that... the problems... of your lives... the short-comings in your lives... the failures in your lives... the events in your lives that you have wished away... that He is very much for you to see them done away... with... God asked me to tell you this morning... that it’s about time... to see you free... and free from any entanglement of the flesh... to see you free completely from everything that defiles... to see you completely free from every infirmity of the flesh... to see you completely free... and walk... in the liberty... wherewith Christ has made you free... He said it is about time... He said, but for you... to actualize this... you must open up your heart... for Him... that’s why He is speaking to us like this, this morning... I want us to go home, and be putting great emphasis... on the preparation of our heart... before God... so that we can always... enjoy... all that God has for us...

Prayers

Lets lift up our hands... to God here... and ask God... He that circumcises my heart... without hands... touch my heart... for You... today again... He that circumcises my heart... without hands... touch... my heart... for You... today.... in the Name of Jesus... Father in the Name... of Jesus... the Bible says they looked up to You... You lightened up their faces... and removed shame... from them... as your people, we stand before You... this morning... and we look up to You... we pray Father that... in the Name... of Jesus... because Jerusalem that is from above... is free... let every entanglement... let every form... of oppression... let every form... of bondage... let every form of leak... against us here today be completely destroyed... cause us Oh God... in the spirit... in the mind... in the body... to come to enjoy... the liberty... of Christ... as You have called us... because Jerusalem that is above is free... cause us to enter... in totality... into that freedom... in the Name of Jesus!

...Lord therefore I speak... to every heart lifted up here today... by Your Word... that they are... loosed... from... every oppression... in the Name of Jesus... Lord... we cast out the effects of the bond-woman... from the lives of Your people today... in the Name of Jesus... thank You... Lord... the strength to go back... and work on our hearts, I ask this morning for every one of us... the strength to go back... and stay... with You... and see... our hearts... developed... and enter into the circumcision of the heart properly... to enjoy the goodness... and the blessings of God... Lord give us the strength today... in the Name of Jesus... Praise the Lord... and in going with us, it will work for our good, in the Name of Jesus... Lord... in the Name of Jesus, we declare this week... open... to enjoy... the freedom... and the liberty... Christ... has purchased for us... in the Name... of Jesus... Lord... we thank You... that Your Word... that You have spoken to us... Your Spirit will continually bring to our remembrance... to cause it to be thickly seated... in us... in the Name of Jesus... Lord... for everyone that has come to fellowship with You in this service... we pray... that in the Name of Jesus, the desires of their heart... in coming... to this great sanctuary... Lord, let all desires be

met... Lord we remember Solomon in dedicating that sanctuary... he said, any problem that is brought to that house, that You will meet... Lord the same we say... concerning everyone with every desire of heart... in this service this morning... in the Name of Jesus... Lord... to our senior pastor who is.. presently in Maiduguri we pray... that Lord, even where he is... Your Presence... will work out his good... in the Name of Jesus... and in his coming... Lord... Your Presence... will bring him... in the Name of Jesus... thank You heavenly Father... we thank You greatly for this service... in the Name of Jesus...

“...You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as

worthless. You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father...” – Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:13 – 16) New Living Translation