We start this sermon with a dramatic sketch called "The Lord's Prayer." The person praying is surprised to hear God interrupting her, but by engaging in conversation with God she learns to know and love Him more.

We continue by taking a look at Lazarus whom Jesus called from death into life. We will establish that Jesus wants us to be His friends. He is deeply moved by our deathly situation and has proven His desire to be our friends. Will we be His friends and will our friendship be surface level or deep? It is hard to hear the voice of your friend when you haven't actually spoken or spent time together in awhile.

We will talk about how to receive and deepen our friendship with God. This way, when He calls us we will know that He really wants us to answer. When we hear Him, we can go to Him without fear, and be set free. And as we continue to hear Him in our deepening friendship with Him we can see the kingdom of God.