Mark Batterson

There never has been and never will be anyone like you. That isn’t a testament to you. It’s a testament to the God who created you. But what that means is this: no one can volunteer your time, no one can use your talent, no one can give your treasure. Don’t let what you cannot do keep you from doing what you can!

God’s vision for National Community Church is bigger than ours. Why? Because it’s not our church, it’s His church. And Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against.” Why would God give us a city block in the nation’s capital? Because God wants us to be a bigger blessing to our city!

Our vision is much bigger than simply building a church. Our vision is to bless the city to the third generation. Our vision is to seek the peace and prosperity of the city by loving it and serving it. Our vision is to have such a significant impact that the history of Washington, DC cannot be written without mentioning National Community Church.

When people think of “church” they don’t often think of “party” but that’s a recurring theme in the gospels, a recurring theme in the parables of Jesus. From day one, our dream for NCC has been that when people miss church they actually miss church. Why? Because that’s where the party is at. Throwing better parties is part and parcel of following Jesus.

The first four letters of every testimony is “test”. Once you pass the test, you get a testimony. And once you get it, you need to use it. Why? Because it’s not “your” testimony. God is writing His story through your life! Your testimony is your gift to the world.

Most of us get stuck spiritually because we’re waiting for God to make a move while God is waiting for us to make a move. Quit watching the clouds and start seeding them. Delayed obedience is disobedience!

Don’t box God in. Don’t box people out.

In the beginning, God created humankind in His image. We have been creating God in our image ever since. But what you end up with is a god who looks a lot like us! That’s the God we’re dismantling in this series so we can discover the true God, the God of the Bible. And that God might surprise you.

The key to changing the way we think, the way we feel, and the way we behave is NOT changing the way we think, the way we feel, and the way we behave. The key? Changing the stories we tell ourselves!

Prayer is a two-sided coin. You can’t just pray like it depends on God, you also have to work like it depends on you. Pray. Then pray some more. But at some point, you need to stop praying about it and starting doing something about it. The best prayer is a well-lived life. The best prayer is doing what Jesus did. And God will help you do it beyond your ability. It’s called the anointing, and it’s the difference between the best you can do and the best God can do.