Power Comes from On High

We begin with a reading from John chapter 3, verse 16. John the Baptist says: "I baptized you with water, but one more powerful than I will come. The thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

There are a couple of key words I want to draw out from this passage: power and why power matters. Power can be understood in two very different ways—human power and human strength, or power from on high, which refers to the Holy Spirit. This is a power that is gifted to us as Christians.

The Message to the Pharisees

When the people, particularly the Pharisees, came to be baptized, John had a crucial message for them. Yes, you can be baptized—no problem at all. But the real power comes from on high. The question John was raising is this: Is this just religion? Is it merely external observance, or is it a gift of the heart?

The Story of Elijah

As I reflected on this passage, the story of Elijah came to mind—found in 1 Samuel 18. In that account, there were many religious people with different gods and different beliefs. There was a great show of power, but it was all human effort. The people were calling on their gods, cutting themselves, doing all kinds of works.

But Elijah waited. He knew something they didn't: he knew his God was God. That was the point.

Then Elijah speaks, and we read in verse 38: "Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice." Amazing. Absolutely amazing. The fire of the Lord fell.

Tying It Together

When we bring these two scriptures together, the lesson is clear: as Christians, the power belongs to the Lord. It is not of human origin.

We can be baptized—many of us are. We hear the word and we are baptized. But unless we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are working only in human power. We must understand that power comes from God, not from our own strength.

The example of Elisha reminds us of this truth. Elisha was a man just like us. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain. It was not because he was exceptionally gifted. Rather, he knew his God. That relationship, that knowledge of God, was what mattered.

A Prayer for Our Hearts

As we pray together, I want us to embrace three things:

1. Know that power comes from God—not from ourselves.
2. Do not rely on your human strength—trust in His power instead.
3. Always come to God with all things at all times, knowing He will hear us.

I want to pray for the environment of our hearts, because the right posture before God is very important. The condition of our hearts—our inner environment—matters deeply.

Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you that we can be like Elijah, knowing You and trusting in Your power. As we bring everything before the cross, may Jesus, by way of the Holy Spirit, fall upon us with fire and burn up the sacrifice of true prayer.

Loving heavenly Father, we thank you for flowers, for color, for all the beauty of creation. Yet we confess that we are ruining the opportunity for these things to bloom, grow, and flourish. We are so selfish. We behave in destructive ways toward Your creation. Please forgive us, Lord. Help us to realize the beauty You have made and to encourage it rather than kill it. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.