Nick: burntlips

In 1991 I was searching for something, as an occult practitioner (a warlock) I wanted more power, in fact more of everything, so I thought I would seek the creator to see if He would fulfil these self centred desires. After a very powerful encounter with God during a Sunday evening church service, this not only changed me forever but turned my life on its head. At this point I gave my life to Christ and left my old life behind as dead and buried. By June 1992 I was baptised in water and as part of an ongoing healing process, received ministry from Ellel for 2 -3 years.
Whilst at the church where I experienced this conversion experience, I was aware of a call to serve, and started as a helper for a causeway group, for which I later became a house group leader. I also started a bible study group called first steps and led 3 alpha courses.
After I moved in 1997 pioneer church Cobham put me on equipped to lead ministry at that time was for drop outs, street sleepers and the homeless. I had 2 cell groups running for these people 1 in Marsham Street London 1 in leatherhead also an alpha group. In Nov 1998 I married my present wife who also attended pioneer and built up a relationship with my in-laws church in Fleetwood which is on going.
I was encouraged to attend the Methodist preacher course by the leadership of pioneer which I did for 6 years. This process of training ended May 05 after I found (through conscience) that I was not able to compromise my faith and preach the social gospel, which the liberal superintendent minister wished to be preached in his circuit. I also have done several scripture courses from the web which I have found to be useful.
I became a member of Community of St Cuthbert early 2006 after spending time in prayer and fellowship with community brothers, who also confirm my calling. As part of this calling I have been preaching and lead lent courses for the last 4 yrs in Manchester seeing signs, wonders, repentance and healing following the preaching.
I believe my calling started when I became a Christian back in 92 when the church evangelist prayed with me he gave a prophetic word that one day I would be a prophet and preacher to the wider church, which has been confirmed by several leaders and churches over a number of years.
As a member of ICC I had been encouraged by senior pastor to make myself available to the children’s church teaching on Sundays, to head up Men’s Ministry and men’s breakfast and to be available to assist in the evening service at ICC. Due to Pastor Chris moving to Hong Kong to lead church there and new pastor has come in I have moved churches since April 2008 became a member of Cornerstone Church Esher and involved with Vinesong.org.
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I believe: -
That there is only one True God - Father, Son and Holy Ghost all co-equal Triune Godhead and outside time and space The uncreated Creator of all things Who has always been and will always be. Gen 1:1-3, Gen1:26 Matt 28:19,

The knowledge of that inseparable oneness of the essence or nature of God is revealed to us in the distinct personalities of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – God the Holy Trinity, as revealed through scripture and enlightenment from God. 1Cor 12:4-6; 2Cor 13:14; Eph 2:18; Eph 3:14-17; Eph 4:4-6; 2Th 2:13-15; Heb 6:4-6; 1John 3:23-24; 1John 4:2; Jud 1:20-21; Rev 1:4-5

That scripture is inspired of God and revealed through only one book The Bible. There is no other divine revelation recorded by which the one true Almighty God, the uncreated creator of all that is created, reveals himself to man. Gen1:1-Rev 22:21

That Scripture is the inspired word of God to humankind written by men bringing the truth of God’s teaching and guidance to a fallen race. We see God’s mercy, love, forgiveness and His calling to human kind through His chosen people the 12 tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and to the whole world in the New Covenant of Grace. There may well be small errors in textual translation or interpretation but these are insignificant to the over-riding evidence of the Creator. God’s love and mercy, His calling back of human kind to a relationship with Himself and the total sacrifice He was willing to pay for the redemption of humanity and the re-establishment of relationship through the Cross of Calvary. The bible is the only inspired and inerrant word of God that we have, and is the written revelation of the Nature and existence of God. This is the over-riding fact and the absolute truth that carries through the whole canon of scripture.

My own position is that the bible is the main focus upon which to build faith; it is the only written source of God's revealed word and it is the authority against which we need to measure all other media coming to and from man. Without the authority of Scripture, we would have too many inconstancies as to the nature of a loving God and the way of Salvation.

This stresses the centrality of the bible in the teaching of God, Salvation and Christian living, also the divine origin of scripture which gives it priority over other sources of authority. I know from my view that although the bible is not a history or science book, although it does have historical and scientific evidence; it does not need to be either a science or history book for Christian faith and living. It contains all truth and all that is needful for our salvation. We need to consider the fact that while God is infinite we are finite we cannot comprehend such an awesome creator, therefore, some things we just need to accept as written and revealed in God’s word.

That Jesus is fully human and fully divine. Jesus is the Son of the Father, an eternal relationship within the Godhead and that through Mary’s obedience to God Jesus became flesh through the virgin birth, hence the title Theotokos in Orthodoxy…the God bearer…who through her obedience and humility co-operated with God in His plans for the Salvation of the world. Jesus is the creator not created. Mary is to be respected…. not worshipped or prayed to. She is an example of humility and obedience for our own walk with God. Nothing more nothing less. Isa 7:14 Luke 1:46-55 Rev 1:8; Rev 22:13

That Jesus the only perfect man shed his blood once and for all to reconcile man to God through the Cross and the Resurrection. That all mankind have sinned and all can be redeemed if they accept God’s Grace. Also that as promised Jesus will return again as Judge and King. Dan 9:24-26, Isa 53, 1Cor 12:3, 1John 5:1, Rom 14:10, Rev 11:15, Rev19:16

That the Holy Spirit is a person of God Co-equal in the Godhead and not a vague force; He is neither created nor made and indwells true believers as witness to our New Birth in Christ.
Gen 1:2, Isa 63:10, Zec4:6, Luke 4:18, Act 8:17, Act 19:6

That it is only through the Grace of God, and only by willing head and heart repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ, and by accepting the atoning and saving death and resurrection of our Lord (on the 3rd day) and, not by works, that we are saved. Act2:38, Act 3:19,

That to be a Christian I need to be baptized by both water and Spirit, the Holy Spirit must indwell me and lead me to a fuller understanding of Christ and to nourish that New Life by obeying the command of Christ in partaking of the Eucharist a sacred memorial of the crucified and risen Christ, a living and effective sign of Christ's sacrifice in which Christ is truly and rightly present to those who eat and drink in repentant faith.

That as a Christian I should witness to the truth about God and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, both by my lips and by my life.

That above all else I love the sinner, not the sin and never judge them, to reach the sinner and witness through the love and grace of Christ to the lost. That there is only one sin that is unforgivable according to the words of Jesus in Scripture (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) and that all other sin is redeemable. Matt 12:31-32, Mark3:28-29, Luke 12:10

That a true believer can not be possessed by demons due to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit but can be oppressed depressed or suppressed through demonic activity in their lives, through soul ties or generational curse.

I believe that to have continuing growth deeper into relationship with God is through daily prayer and reading His Word the bible. It is only walking in His Grace and Mercy surrendering self daily to God’s will.

I believe in the resurrection of both the saved and lost; those who are saved to the resurrection of life, and those who are lost to the resurrection of damnation shared by the demons. That the true believer at the moment of salvation becomes reborn / regenerate and that this only becomes evident through their daily walk with Christ, producing good fruit through the power and changes that come through the mutual indwelling: Christ in us and us in Christ.

I believe in the spiritual unity of all true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Denominations should bring unity through celebrating diversity not derision through division 1 God, 1 bible, 1 Church united by faith. This is the true Church God wants and expects: we can not continue down the road of man made churches fighting over manmade dogmas and traditions.

The Church is the full body of the faithful believer’s and is world wide, whereas a church is the local community meeting in a designated place of worship comprising of the local body of the faithful follows of Christ.

Both men and women are called into leadership by God and can be effective in preaching and teaching God’s word. The only post a woman can not hold is that of bishop / spiritual leader of the church. Phi 1:1; Act 20:28; 1Tim 3:2-7; Titus 1:7; 1Pet 2:25

Christian baptism and the subsequent laying on of hands, accompanied with the gift of the Holy Spirit comes only after the hearing and receiving of the word, followed by a coming to faith with a God-Given desire to repent and become a follower Christ. Water baptism is the outward sign of the inward change of the person by the Holy Spirit. Psa 51:2, Mat 28:19-20, Luke 3:3, Act 8:12, Act 8:14-17, Act 10:43, Act 19:2-6, Col 2:12, Act 2:38; Act 8:12-36; Act 10:47; Act 16:15; Act 16:33 1Pet 3:21, Rom 10:9-10, Rom 6:3-4.

The Lord’s Supper is another of the sacraments that is for Christians to regularly partake of as commanded by Christ Himself. Baptism is the sacrament of spiritual birth, and the Lord's Supper is the sacrament of spiritual nurture. Mat 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; John 6:53-59; Act_2:42; Act_20:7; 1 Cor 10:21-22, & 11:21-

The gifts of the Holy Spirit should be sought after and encouraged in church in a fitting manner to that part of the service (decently and in order). The gifts and fruits are there to be expressed by God’s people for God’s people and for His Glory. 1 Cor 12:1 - 14:40

Check my picture http://www.ablazenet.com/user/burntlips and yes that is an earring.
I live near Guildford in Surrey, England. To here lastest sermon I preached Click here to Hear 'sermon-failsworth'

Email: burntlips (at) ablazenet.com