That’s part of the excitement of Christmas — it taps into that subconscious sense that maybe there is something out there, just waiting to surprise me, just waiting to be unwrapped, something that will quench this thirst in my soul.

In today’s Scripture, Jesus tells us a story about people like us –- thirsty people –- and how they finally found what they were looking for.

The goal of every Christians is supposed to be to become more like Christ. So if you’re a Christian, and you were to see that Jesus was more liberal or conservative than you, would you be willing to change?

There is within every human a deep desire — instinctive and powerful — to discover the meaning of reality and then establish harmony, oneness, with that reality. We are, virtually all of us, deeply spiritual beings.

Jesus had a few things to say about that. This sermon examines another of His “Kingdom Parables.”

You may say they don’t deserve it — and you’d be right. But your forgiving them is not for their good, it’s for you.

Listen for some radical — but essential — lessons on forgiveness.

Jesus tells a parable that compares God’s realm to a great dinner party. And the story has a shocking twist — you’ll be amazed at who attends the party, and who’s left out.

In today’s scripture, Jesus invites us to look at the world from a radically different perspective — one of inclusion and grace, which is certainly not the way the world usually works.

Want to be part of God’s great movement to transform this world? Listen as we explore how that’s done.

Is there any place in your life today where you feel defeated, a victim of circumstances, awaiting the inevitable?

If so, this week’s service is for you.

We look at two gospel passages — a parable, and a healing story — that can give us profound insight for allowing God’s power in to the places where we feel most defeated.

So if that’s our goal, we’d better get really clear on what a space looks like when God becomes ruler. In two parables examined in this sermon, Jesus sketches a picture for us so that we will know what kind of changes should be going for in ourselves, our families, our workplaces, our churches, our world.

This sermon begins a new series about “the kingdom of God.” It’s a concept that we see throughout Jesus’ teachings, and it’s not about the afterlife, as you might think. It’s all about bringing the goodness of God to this life, here and now.

Listen as we look at how to turn the world around.