In Heaven - Linda Bailey
Have you ever been so focused on reaching the finish line that you missed the beauty of the journey itself? Picture a sweaty, red-cheeked ten-year-old climbing the Pinnacle in the Grampians — one of Australia's most stunning natural wonders — thinking about nothing but the cold can of Solo waiting at the end. Every step up that sandstone mountain, past koalas in trees and kangaroos hopping through wildflowers, obsessing over soft drink instead of soaking in the majesty of creation. What if we approach heaven the same way — so focused on the destination that we miss the invitation to experience it here and now?
This week, Linda Bailey continued our As in Heaven: The Lord's Prayer series, exploring what it means to pray to "our Father in heaven." Following Tim's introduction to the Lord's Prayer and his reflection on the word "Father," Linda invited us to consider the profound implications of that little phrase "in heaven" — and how it radically reshapes both our understanding of God's power and our mission on earth.
You can watch or listen to the full sermon below.
Heaven Is Where God Rules and Reigns
When we think of heaven, our minds might wander to pearly gates and streets of gold, or perhaps to the Garden of Eden — that place of perfect harmony between humanity, creation, and God. But Linda reminded us that our understanding of heaven is always going to be limited by our human understanding. At its core, heaven is anywhere where God rules and reigns, where his character and values shape reality.
As Psalm 11 declares: "The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth. His eyes examine them." Throughout Scripture, we encounter the wonder, might, and glory of God seated on the throne.
"When we pray 'our Father in heaven,' we are positioning him on the throne. We are saying that you are the one in power. We are putting ourselves under his control that is justice and gracious and love and mercy."
This phrase balances the intimacy of "Father" that Tim explored last week with the power and authority of the God who created the universe. Linda put it this way: she loves her best friend, who is wonderful when troubles arise — funny, wise, compassionate. But when she's going through difficult times, she doesn't pray to her best friend, because her friend is human just like her. When life seems too much, when there's too much to carry, she goes to her Father in heaven — because he sits on the throne, he flung the stars into the sky, and he still has that power and authority.
Isaiah 40 asks: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom." This is the God we can pray to — with the power and authority of the universe behind us every time we come to him in prayer.
On Earth as It Is in Heaven
But heaven isn't mentioned just once in the Lord's Prayer. After "Our Father in heaven," Jesus teaches us to pray: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Linda acknowledged that we often think of heaven as the place we go when we die — and that's true. Jesus told the criminal on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise." He assured his disciples, "My Father's house has many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you." Death is not the end; we have a hope greater than this world.
But if that's all we think about, we're missing the whole point of the Lord's Prayer. In fact, we're missing the whole point of why Jesus came, and we're missing the whole point of the gospel.
Remember that stubborn ten-year-old trudging up the Pinnacle, missing the stunning bird life, the sandstone formations, the breathtaking views — all for a soft drink at the end? Linda confessed how much she was missing out on as an immature, stubborn little girl. And so often, if we think of heaven only as the place we go when we die, we miss how God can move in wonder, majesty, and power here on earth before we even get to the end.
When Jesus began his ministry, after being baptized and tempted in the wilderness, he declared: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Not "is waiting for you when you pass" — but has come near. Is here. We have access to it right now.
"To pray the Lord's Prayer is to participate in heaven's invasion of the earth."
Linda quoted Darrell Johnson, who writes: "To pray the Lord's Prayer is to participate in a revolution of huge proportions. Oh, Father, your name is hallowed in heaven. Hallow it on earth in me, in my family, in this city... your kingdom come, your will be done on Main Street and Wall Street and College Street and Surrey Road as it is in heaven."
This is the power we engage when we pray the Lord's Prayer. Not that our reward will come only at the end, after we've endured the hardship of earth — Jesus is saying heaven is already in our grasp, already here, whenever we declare that God is on the throne and has the power and authority.
What Does Heaven on Earth Look Like?
What does it actually look like to have heaven here on earth? Linda read through Matthew 5-7 — the Sermon on the Mount where the Lord's Prayer is embedded — and made a list: comfort, equality, mercy, understanding, peace, justice, rejoicing, obedience, forgiveness, healed relationships, honesty, fidelity, commitment, love.
These things sound great because we've already experienced them. Not in their completeness — we won't have that until Jesus comes again — but we can see glimpses. Heaven can be here whenever we experience comfort, mercy, peace, justice, love, and forgiveness.
"Jesus was not offering us an escape route to somewhere else. He's inviting us into a present reality where heaven's values, peace, and justice can reshape how we live now."
Jesus was the ultimate example of how to bring heaven to earth, and he invites us to join him. There will be a fulfillment of this — the new creation, when Jesus returns and makes all things new. But in the meantime, he is inviting us into that new creation now. The kingdom of God is already at hand.
2 Corinthians 5:17 declares: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone and the new is here." When we pray "your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven," we're praying that our lives will reflect this new earth — in what we say, in what we do, in the values we put forward.
Tim Keller writes: "Prayer is not just asking for things, it's aligning ourselves with the reality that God's kingdom is already here, breaking into the present age. When we pray 'your kingdom come,' we're not making something happen, we're inviting what's already true in heaven to become visible on earth."
Jesus: The Tabernacle and the Sacrifice
To help us understand how revolutionary this invitation is, Linda took us back to the Old Testament. The Israelites had the tabernacle, a tent of meeting where God's presence was positioned. Later, Solomon built the temple. People knew they couldn't just enter God's holy presence — they needed the sacrificial system, offering birds or lambs to take the place of the punishment they deserved for their sin, creating space to enter God's presence.
When Jesus came to earth, the Gospel of John describes it differently from the nativity stories in the other Gospels. John writes: "The Word was in the beginning. The Word was with God and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
That word "dwelling" actually means tent — or more specifically, tabernacle. Jesus came and was the tabernacle for us. God with flesh on, not positioned in one place for one nation to access, but moving around, taking the presence of God with him.
But Jesus went even further. People didn't come to Jesus with sacrifices before entering his presence. Jesus was willing to be that sacrifice — not just for one person, but for all of humanity. John the Baptist declared it: "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
"Jesus became the tabernacle and the sacrifice. Now we don't have to sacrifice animals. We don't have to go to a certain place. He brought heaven here so that no matter where you are, you can come into the presence of this holy, righteous, powerful, majestic God."
Jesus' words in the Lord's Prayer would have been revolutionary to first-century Jews: "When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen." No longer do you need to go to a mountain or a temple. We can access our Father — who loves us as a beloved child, who sits on the throne in heaven with all power and authority — any moment of any day, wherever we are and whatever is going on in our lives.
What great news that is for you and me. Jesus totally changed the way we have access to the God who loves us, wants the best for us, and has all power in heaven and on earth behind us. As Linda put it with a smile: "You need to watch what you pray. Because you have the most powerful thing behind you when you do, right?"
Taking Heaven with Us Wherever We Go
So what does this mean for us? Jesus said the kingdom is near and invites us to be part of it — in our values, how we speak, how we live. But that can be challenging when all the pressures of this world are upon us.
Linda illustrated it this way: As an Australian born to immigrant parents, she grew up in Australian culture, and she takes that Australian-ness with her wherever she goes overseas. She still queues properly (apparently that's an Australian thing!). She wears a hat and sunscreen. She takes her accent with her (leading to one memorable confusion when "How are you going today?" was heard as "How are you going to die?").
We take our culture, our words, our actions, our values with us wherever we go. If we are so embedded in our faith in Jesus Christ, if we are committed to come to him every day, to learn more about him, understand how he lived, what he said, how he responded, the actions he had toward others, then it will become so much a part of us — his kingdom values will be our actions, our accent, our words. As we move throughout this earth, we will bring his kingdom here.
But we don't do it alone. Jesus didn't just say, "I've brought the kingdom here — now off you go and do it too." After his death and resurrection, he declared: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations... And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
We have multiple sources of power:
Jesus is with us always
We have access to our Father who is in heaven and on the throne through prayer
The Holy Spirit is within us, teaching and reminding us of everything Jesus said
As John 14 promises: "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Linda acknowledged it's challenging to bring heaven near, to enter into the new creation Jesus started. But we have the glory of Jesus Christ with us, the power of our Father in heaven behind us, and the Holy Spirit within us, teaching and prompting us to be more like Christ. And when we are obedient, when we take on that invitation Jesus gives, we can experience heaven on earth, just as Jesus showed us.
One Way to Live It Out This Week
This week, become more aware of where you see glimpses of heaven already breaking through on earth — moments of comfort, peace, justice, mercy, reconciliation, or love. When you notice them, thank God that his kingdom is near. Then ask: Where is God inviting me to partner with him in bringing more of heaven to earth? It might be in a conversation, a relationship, a workplace situation, or how you use your resources. Take one concrete step to respond to that invitation.
A Prayer for Your Week
Father in heaven,
We stand in awe that you sit on the throne with all power and authority,
yet you invite us to come to you as a child comes to a loving parent.
Thank you that through Jesus we have access to your presence
any moment, anywhere, no matter what we're facing.
Help us not to miss the beauty of your kingdom breaking in around us
by focusing only on the destination ahead.
Give us eyes to see where heaven is already near,
and courage to join you in bringing your kingdom to earth —
in our words, our actions, our relationships, and our values.
We trust in your power to do what we cannot do alone.
Amen.
Personal Reflection
When you think of heaven, what images or feelings come to mind? How might those images be limiting or expanding your understanding of God's power and presence?
Where have you experienced "glimpses of heaven on earth" — moments when God's values of peace, justice, mercy, or love became tangible in your life or community?
What might change in your daily life if you truly believed that all the power and authority of heaven stands behind your prayers?
Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 6:9-13 together. What stands out to you about the phrase "in heaven" now that you've heard this sermon? How does it add to or balance the word "Father"?
Linda described how Jesus became both the tabernacle (God's presence with us) and the sacrifice (removing the barrier between God and us). How does understanding this change the way you approach prayer?
What are some examples from Jesus' life where he demonstrated "heaven on earth" — where God's kingdom values became visible and tangible?
Discuss the list Linda made from the Sermon on the Mount: comfort, equality, mercy, understanding, peace, justice, rejoicing, obedience, forgiveness, healed relationships, honesty, fidelity, commitment, love. Which of these "heaven on earth" values do you most long to see more fully in your life or community?
Linda mentioned that we can be so focused on heaven as a future destination that we miss God's invitation to experience it now. Where do you see this tension in your own faith journey?
What does it mean practically to "bring heaven to earth" in your workplace, neighbourhood, or family? Share specific examples.
Jesus promises to be with us always, we have access to the Father through prayer, and the Holy Spirit teaches and guides us. Which of these three sources of power do you find yourself relying on most? Which might you need to lean into more?
How can we pray for one another this week as we seek to live as people who are part of God's "new creation" — bringing heaven's values to earth in our daily lives?