Heaven In My House - As It Is In Heaven: Part 3

Oct 20, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Praying for Heaven on Earth: The Lord’s Prayer

Jesus taught His followers to pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, inviting us to become conduits of heaven’s reality in our daily lives. This prayer is not just a ritual but a call to align our hearts with God’s purposes, to see our identity as redeemed children of the Father, and to long for His presence to transform our hearts, homes, and church. When we pray “as it is in heaven,” we are asking God to use us to bring His love, peace, and righteousness into every sphere of life, trusting that He is always at work, even when we cannot see it. [02:01]

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to see God’s kingdom come “on earth as it is in heaven”? How can you invite God to use you as a conduit of His presence there today?

Day 2: The Blueprint of God’s House: Living Stones Built Together

God’s vision for His house is not a building, but a spiritual house made of believers—living stones—who are being built together to host His presence and reflect His glory. Each believer is uniquely designed and placed by God to contribute to the strength, health, and love of the church community. When we allow God to shape us and fit us into His spiritual house, we experience unity, purpose, and the joy of being part of something greater than ourselves. [08:55]

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Reflection: How are you allowing God to shape you as a “living stone” in His spiritual house? What is one way you can intentionally build up your church community this week?

Day 3: The Acts 2 Church: Unity, Generosity, and Revival

The early church in Acts 2 provides the blueprint for a Spirit-filled community marked by unity, generosity, shared life, and daily growth as God added to their number. They gathered together in expectation, devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, prayer, and fellowship, and met each other’s needs with radical generosity, resulting in favor with God and people and a revival that brought generational change. This model challenges us to pursue authentic discipleship, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, and believe for revival that transforms not just individuals, but families and society. [16:00]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reflection: Which characteristic of the Acts 2 church do you most long to see in your own church? What is one step you can take to help cultivate that characteristic this week?

Day 4: Every Part Matters: Finding Your Special Role in the Body

Just as every part of the human body has a unique and vital function, every believer has a special role in the church that helps the whole body grow stronger, healthier, and more loving. When each person discovers and faithfully serves in their God-given place—whether seen or unseen—the church flourishes and more fully reflects Christ’s love to the world. No role is too small or insignificant; your presence, service, generosity, and outreach are essential to the health and mission of the church. [24:03]

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Reflection: What is one unique gift, talent, or passion God has given you that you can use to serve and strengthen your church family? How will you take a step to use it this week?

Day 5: Holding the Rope: Unity, Commitment, and Inviting Others In

The strength of the church depends on each person “holding the rope”—gathering together, serving, giving, and reaching out to others—so that no one is left behind and the community remains strong and unbreakable. Like a championship tug-of-war team, the church needs every generation and every member to grip the rope, support one another, and pull others from darkness into the light of Christ. When we stand together in unity, our combined strength is not easily broken, and we become a powerful witness of God’s love and hope to the world. [43:02]

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV)
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can “hold the rope” for this week—by inviting, encouraging, or supporting them in their faith journey? What specific action will you take to reach out to them?

Sermon Summary

In this season, the invitation is to open our hearts to what God is doing among us, to focus on His activity rather than what we feel is lacking. Jesus taught us to pray, “Let your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and that prayer is not just for our personal lives or our homes, but for God’s house—the local church. Our identity as redeemed children of God is foundational, and as we allow heaven to shape our hearts and homes, we are called to see heaven inhabit our church community as well.

Tracing the story from the Old Testament tabernacle to King David’s desire to build a house for God, and ultimately to Jesus, the true fulfillment of God’s promise, we see that God’s house is now built of “living stones”—each believer, uniquely placed and purposed. The first time Jesus used the word “church” was in response to Peter’s confession that He is the Messiah, and He promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. The New Testament blueprint for this spiritual house is found in Acts 2, where the early believers waited together in unity and expectation, were filled with the Holy Spirit, shared the gospel, lived in generous community, and saw daily transformation and growth.

Yet, many today have lost connection to this blueprint, especially in the wake of recent disruptions. The call is to return to the original design: a community marked by worship, generosity, unity, and the active presence of God. Revival is not just a personal experience but a generational, societal change that begins in the church and overflows into the world. Evidence of God’s stirring is all around us, and we are invited to participate by discovering and fulfilling our unique roles in the body of Christ.

Like a championship tug-of-war team, every member is vital—whether a gripper, puller, or anchor. The strength of the church depends on each person “holding the rope” through gathering, serving, giving, and reaching out. When each part does its work, the whole body grows stronger, healthier, and more loving. The dream is to become a community that truly resembles the Acts 2 church: full of love, generosity, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit, where every believer is engaged and heaven is made visible on earth.

Key Takeaways

1. Focus on God’s Activity, Not Absence It’s easy to dwell on what we feel God isn’t doing, but faith grows when we intentionally notice and give thanks for what He is doing. Gratitude shifts our perspective and opens our eyes to the quiet, transformative work of God in our lives and community. Even when circumstances seem stagnant, God is often working in ways we cannot yet see. Cultivating this focus helps us remain hopeful and expectant. [01:00]
2. The Church Is Built of Living Stones God’s house is not a building but a spiritual house made of believers, each uniquely designed and placed. Our identity as redeemed children of God is foundational, and we are called to let heaven shape our hearts and lives. When we embrace our role as living stones, we become part of something much larger than ourselves—a dwelling place for God’s presence on earth. [08:55]
3. Return to the Blueprint of Acts 2 The early church was marked by unity, expectation, the power of the Holy Spirit, generosity, and daily transformation. This is not just a historical account but a blueprint for today’s church. When we gather in unity, pray with expectation, and live generously, we create space for God’s presence to move and for revival to take root in our midst. [16:00]
4. Every Member Has a Vital Role Just as a body needs every part to function, the church needs each person to discover and fulfill their unique calling. Whether your gifts are visible or hidden, natural or supernatural, your contribution is essential to the health and growth of the whole community. When each part does its work, the church becomes stronger, healthier, and more loving—a true reflection of Christ’s body. [24:03]
5. “Hold the Rope” Through Gathering, Serving, Giving, and Reaching The strength of the church depends on everyone holding the rope together. Gathering regularly, serving in practical ways, giving generously, and reaching out to others are all ways we participate in God’s work. When we each do our part, we not only strengthen the church but also become conduits for heaven to touch earth, drawing others into God’s family. [33:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Focusing on God’s Activity
[02:01] - Heaven Identifies Our Hearts
[04:49] - God’s House from Tabernacle to Jesus
[07:37] - The First Use of “Church”
[08:55] - Living Stones: The Spiritual House
[09:42] - Losing and Recovering the Blueprint
[11:00] - Prayer for God’s Word and Presence
[12:34] - The Promise and Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
[13:19] - Unity and Expectation in the Upper Room
[16:00] - Characteristics of the Acts 2 Church
[18:58] - Revival: Generational and Societal Change
[23:15] - Every Part Doing Its Special Work
[27:34] - The Tug-of-War Analogy
[33:04] - Four Ways to “Hold the Rope”
[43:02] - The Three-Stranded Cord
[44:23] - The Dream: Becoming an Acts 2 Community

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Heaven in God’s House”

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)
> Pray then like this:
> “Our Father in heaven,
> hallowed be your name.
> Your kingdom come,
> your will be done,
> on earth as it is in heaven.
> Give us this day our daily bread,
> and forgive us our debts,
> as we also have forgiven our debtors.
> And lead us not into temptation,
> but deliver us from evil.”

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
> And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)
> You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Observation Questions

In Matthew 6:9-13, what does Jesus teach us to pray for regarding God’s kingdom and will?
According to Acts 2:42-47, what were some of the main things the early church devoted themselves to?
In 1 Peter 2:5, what metaphor does Peter use to describe believers, and what is the purpose of this metaphor?
The sermon described the church as being made up of “living stones.” What does this mean, and how does it connect to the idea of God’s house? [[08:55]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus included “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” in the Lord’s Prayer? What does this reveal about God’s desire for His people and His church? [[02:01]]
The Acts 2 church was marked by unity, generosity, and daily transformation. Why do you think these qualities were so important for the early believers, and what might happen if a church loses these qualities? [[16:00]]
The sermon mentioned that many believers today have “lost the blueprint” for church community, especially after recent disruptions. What are some ways this loss of connection might show up in a church? [[09:42]]
The analogy of the tug-of-war team was used to describe the church. What does this analogy teach us about the importance of every member’s role in the church? [[30:40]]

Application Questions

The sermon encouraged us to focus on what God is doing, not just what we feel is missing. This week, what is one specific thing you can thank God for in your life or in our church community? How might practicing gratitude change your perspective? [[01:00]]
If the church is made up of “living stones,” what unique gifts or passions do you think God has given you to help build up this spiritual house? How can you use them in our church? [[26:50]]
The Acts 2 church was devoted to gathering, prayer, generosity, and sharing life. Which of these areas do you feel most drawn to, and which one do you find most challenging? What is one step you could take to grow in that area this month? [[16:00]]
The sermon talked about “holding the rope” through gathering, serving, giving, and reaching out. Which of these four ways do you feel you are already participating in, and which one could you take a new step in this season? [[33:04]]
Think about the analogy of the tug-of-war team. Is there a time when you felt like you let go of the rope, or maybe you saw someone else let go? What helped you (or them) get re-engaged? [[32:06]]
The sermon described revival as not just a personal experience but a generational and societal change that starts in the church. What is one way you can pray or act for revival to begin in your own heart and overflow into your family, neighborhood, or workplace? [[18:58]]
The early church saw God add to their number daily. Who is one person in your life you could invite to church, a meal, or a spiritual conversation this week? What might be holding you back, and how can you take a step of faith? [[39:01]]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help each person discover their unique role in His house, to fill our church with unity, generosity, and love, and to make us a community where heaven is visible on earth.

Sermon Clips

“What would your heart look like if heaven identified it more than any other source? The answer is you'd start identifying yourself as a redeemed child of Father God. That's our core identity. That's what Jesus came to reconcile people back to—the Father. When heaven identifies your heart, you know you belong to Him.”

“When you strategically and faithfully invite heaven into your home, you’re going to experience more righteousness, more joy, and more peace. The best way to do that is to invite the Prince of Peace into your home. He is the peacemaker, and He is bringing peace into the home.”

“What would it look like if heaven inhabited God’s house, the local church? The New Testament calls us the household of faith. God’s house is made of living stones—believers—being built up to make a spiritual house for God. Every believer is a living stone, and together we create a place for God’s presence.”

“We have the building materials—the living stones—but we've lost the blueprint. There are hundreds of thousands of scattered sheep who have had an encounter with the Lord but have not locked into their place in the spiritual house God has called them to. They're lacking the discipleship community that the book of Acts talks about.”

“The original blueprint for church is found in Acts 2. They waited in unity, were filled with the Holy Spirit, shared the gospel, led people to repentance and faith, and created a discipleship community that had all things in common. They were steeped in the word, unified in prayer, experienced spirit-led fellowship, and were generous—there were no needs among them.”

“This is what churches are supposed to look like. That’s the original blueprint. I believe God is going to meet us at our level of expectation and faith. If we are believing and praying for these things to happen, then they’re going to happen. If He did it once, He can do it again.”

“We need to believe and expect revival that creates generational, societal change. It’s a change that starts in here but extends out there, everywhere we go. Revival isn’t just a moment; it’s God transforming lives, families, neighborhoods, and generations.”

“The Spirit of God is stirring people. They’re on the outside, but they want to come in. The evidence is all around—the Spirit of the Lord is here and He is working. Ask yourself this week: which of these characteristics of revival am I praying for the most? What do you want to see God do in this house?”

“As each part of the body of Christ does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy, growing, and full of love. That’s what we need to see—every part doing its share so God can move and inhabit this house.”

“You have natural gifts and you have supernatural gifts, and all of those gifts are given so the body of Christ will be built up. Take time to ask the Lord, “What is my special part?” He will show you how you can use that special part to build up the body of Christ.”

“If you are a believer, the Lord transformed you out of the kingdom of darkness and pulled you into the kingdom of light. I am so thankful! I’m a believer in Jesus, so that means now I’ve switched teams—I’m on the kingdom of light team! The Lord had to pull me out of that darkness, and He sent people to share the gospel light with me.”

“To be a championship tug-of-war team, you have to have front line grippers, middle line pullers, and heavyweight anchors. But do you know why a team will lose? When one of those players lets go of the rope. If we’re going to see heaven inhabit this house, I need you to hold the rope.”

“Gather physically—be here, show up on Sundays, show up at groups, show up at the prayer meeting, show up at special events. Maybe it’s not always for you; maybe it’s for us. Your presence here makes a big difference. When you’re here, you’re holding the rope, and if you’re not, our team gets weaker.”

“Church is not a spectator sport. Get in the game. There’s a difference between watching a football game on TV and actually being on the field. You want to get in the game and watch God use you and anoint you in the special way He designed you. The only way that’s going to happen is if you start serving.”

“Giving financially holds the rope of the church community. Generosity is a spiritual work, not just a financial one. It’s coming to terms with the fact that God has given you the power to get wealth, and transitioning from being an owner of your finances to a godly steward is holding the rope for your discipleship community.”

“Four out of five adults who don’t go to church said they would attend if someone invited them. The problem isn’t that people hate church—it’s that the church stopped inviting. Let’s hold the rope and reach out to people. Invite them to church, invite them for a meal, build relationships, and ask how you can pray for them.”

“At the heart of every cynic is an idealist. People really want truth. They want to see love in action. They want to have that heaven on earth in their heart. Because they don’t see it, they become cynical. But even a hard person—God can change their life radically.”

“The dream that we have for this community is to resemble that Acts 2 original blueprint for what church is supposed to look like—full of people who love Jesus, who gather for the word, for prayer, for fellowship, for breaking bread together, where the Holy Spirit moves freely, and there’s generosity and love. As everyone does their part, the whole body grows stronger, healthier, and more full of love.”

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