Heaven on Earth

Twenty years ago, I could’ve told you it was in Nebraska—but not much more than that. I didn’t know what side of the state it sat on, what made it unique, or what kind of people lived here. But today? This is my home. It’s the hometown of my kids, the place we’re planting roots, and a city I’m proud to be part of.

The word “Omaha” means to go against the current—to swim upstream. That’s something I love about this city: we’re not afraid to do things differently. To chart our own course. And honestly, that’s exactly how followers of Jesus are meant to live—against the current, standing in contrast to the culture around us. That’s the way of the Sermon on the Mount.

We also have a lot to brag about: the best zoo in the country, the Reuben sandwich, Butter Brickle ice cream, Swanson’s TV dinners, even the ski lift—go figure! No mountains in sight, but we invented it anyway. We’re innovative, resilient, and quietly influential. That matters because I believe God cares about cities. And I believe God cares deeply about thiscity.

In Isaiah 65, God gives us a glimpse of the “dream city”—what life will look like during the Millennial Kingdom, that thousand-year reign of Jesus after the tribulation but before the new heavens and new earth. It’s a vision of peace, justice, joy, and abundance. And Jesus invites us to start living that vision now. When He taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” He wasn’t just giving us a spiritual mantra—He was giving us a mission. Not to escape earth for heaven, but to bring heaven to earth. To pray and work for the transformation of our own city, starting right here in Omaha.

So I asked a simple question: What would it take to make our city look more like that future city? Isaiah gives six snapshots of that dream, and each one gives us something to strive for in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools.

1. Long Life and Safe Births

Isaiah says in the dream city, babies won’t die young and the elderly will live long, vibrant lives. That hits home. In Isaiah’s time, hundreds of kids out of every thousand wouldn’t make it to age five. Today, that number is lower—but we still face challenges like abortion, lack of access to care, and poverty. We celebrate every doctor, nurse, mother, and volunteer working to make life safe and sacred from the start.

Years ago, we partnered with some genius missionary nurses in Mali who said, “If we had a hospital, we could save lives.” So we helped build one. Today, over 60,000 babies have been born safely there—and that’s changing national statistics. That’s what happens when people of faith say yes to God’s dream.

2. Food and Housing Security

Isaiah talks about people building houses and actually living in them. Planting vineyards and eating the fruit. It’s a vision of stability—of a place where people aren’t uprooted or robbed of what they’ve worked hard to build.

That’s still a dream for many today. We face a shortage of affordable housing. Millions go hungry. So when builders, farmers, food bank volunteers, or public servants get to work, they’re doing holy work. They’re pushing back darkness and helping answer the prayer: “Your kingdom come.”

3. Fair Wages and Meaningful Work

Isaiah says people will enjoy the work of their hands. In other words, they won’t labor in vain. That means fair wages, dignified labor, and environments where people can thrive. It’s the opposite of exploitation.

So if you’re a business leader or employer who treats people well—who pays fairly and helps others succeed—you are part of the dream city already. We need entrepreneurs and innovators who understand that profit is good, but people are sacred.

4. Generational Prosperity

Isaiah promises a future where “they and their descendants will be blessed.” That one hits deep. As we get older, we start thinking more about our kids and grandkids. We want them to flourish. To be safe. To be loved. To be rooted in faith and hope.

That’s why I’m so thankful for parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and volunteers—especially those investing in our children here at church. At Summer U, we already have over 800 kids registered and almost 300 volunteers serving. But we still need more. If you’ve got a heart for kids and a little time this summer, this is a powerful way to invest in the next generation.

5. A City That Hears from God

Isaiah says that before we even call, God will answer. Can you imagine that kind of spiritual clarity? That’s what we’re moving toward—a city where people know God personally and hear His voice.

A couple weeks ago, some secular journalists came to interview me for a podcast about prayer. As the conversation went on, one of them asked, “Can you teach me to pray?” So I did. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, and I spoke a blessing over him. His eyes welled up. Then the others asked for blessings too. Even the producer texted in from Philadelphia: “Can I have a blessing too?”

Here’s what I learned: people—even those far from God—are hungry for a touch from heaven. What if we made it a habit to speak blessings over people who don’t yet know Jesus? Not with pressure or performance, just an invitation to experience God’s kindness. That might be the most evangelistic thing we can do.

6. Peace

The last picture Isaiah gives is stunning: wolves lying down with lambs. Lions eating straw. Peace so deep that even the animal kingdom is transformed. That’s not just poetry—it’s prophecy. God is building a world with no violence, no fear, no destruction.

If you’re in the military, law enforcement, mediation, or counseling—thank you. You’re bringing God’s peace to places that desperately need it. That work matters deeply.

So what does all of this mean?

It means there’s no divide between sacred and secular. Every day, in the work you do and the way you live, you’re invited to bring God’s kingdom to earth. Every diaper changed, every roof built, every heart healed, every student taught—it all matters. It’s all part of the dream city breaking into the present.

You may have heard Peyton Manning yell “Omaha! Omaha!” before a big play. It was his way of calling an audible. And I think that’s what God is doing with us—calling an audible, shifting the play, inviting us into something better. A new plan. A new dream.

Because when the city flourishes, you flourish. Better education, safer streets, stronger families, deeper faith. We don’t serve our city for what we get out of it—but when we seek its good, we receive blessing too.

So let’s live with open hands, open hearts, and bold prayers:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, in Omaha as it is in heaven.”

And as we closed, I prayed a blessing over everyone in the room—just like I did with those journalists—because I believe God wants His light and love to wash over every person, every family, every street, and every neighborhood in this city. Let’s keep building, blessing, and believing for a better future—together.

Message recap adapted from May 18, 2025, message by Minister Mark Ashton