Welcome to church on da beach in Waikiki! In this hope-filled message by Pastor Waxer Tipton, we come together to celebrate the risen Jesus and the life-changing truth that we have been reconciled to God. Through the lens of 2 Corinthians 5, we are reminded that reconciliation means more than merely forgiveness; it is the restoration of a relationship. Our sin caused a separation we could never fix on our own, but God, in His great love, made a way through Jesus Christ. He paid our debt in full on the cross so that we could be brought near and made new.

Pastor Waxer invites us to receive what Christ has already done, to let go of the sin and burdens that weigh us down, and to walk in the fullness of reconciliation. As we celebrate Easter, we remember that the story did not end at the cross. Jesus is alive and because He lives, we have hope, new life, and a future in Him.

As we gather to worship on Palm Sunday, we step into the story of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. In this message, Pastor Maiola Vivas reminds us that true worship isn't found in outward display or fleeting enthusiasm but in simple, faithful obedience. Through the simple obedience of the disciples and the cries of the crowd, we are invited to consider what we are bringing before the Lord.

What kind of fruit is growing in your life? Just as the fig tree appeared to be full of life but lacked fruit, we're reminded that God desires hearts that are genuine, surrendered, and abiding in Him. This is not about perfection or performance, but about love, trust, and a willingness to obey Jesus in both the seen and unseen moments of our lives.

In a refreshing and freeing way, Pastor Maiola calls us back to a simple truth: what we bring to God may feel small but He delights in it. Like a loving Father receiving a child's offering, He takes our imperfect worship and makes it pleasing to Him. As we walk through Holy Week together, we are invited to worship in spirit and truth and to bringing our whole heart before our King.

In response to the severe damage and the aftermath of the recent storms, Pastor Maiola Vivas gently encourages us to love our neighbor - to grieve, to listen, to care for, and to point one another to our One eternal hope. As we reflect on the reality of suffering, we're reminded that it's okay to not have all the answers. Instead of trying to explain the "why," we are invited to rest in who God is - trusting His character, His tender care, and His love for us, even in life's hardest moments.

As believers, we're reassured that our suffering is not wasted. God meets us in our pain and gives it meaning. He wraps us in His loving arms to comfort and fill us with hope that reaches beyond what we can see. In moments like these we rediscover what truly matters: love.

As a church family, we are called to bear one another's burdens and to be a tangible expression of God's love. Whether we ourselves are hurting or helping, we walk this road together, trusting that God is at work in every circumstance, bringing healing, hope, and ultimately victory through Christ.

As we continue our study in the book of Matthew, Pastor Paul Gates guides us through Matthew 4:12-17. As Jesus steps into Galilee, He fulfills prophecy and brings light into darkness. We are reminded that this is our story too—God met us right where we were, He brought Light to our darkness, and He is the One who called us into something new.

Following Jesus does not mean the absence of hardship. Just as John the Baptist faced imprisonment, we are reminded that storms in life will come. Yet in the midst of fear and uncertainty, God gives us power, love, and a sound mind. Paul helps us learn how to shift our focus from "what if" to "even if," trusting that our Savior is greater than any storm we will face.

At the heart of Paul's message is a simple but bold call: repent and believe. This is not about striving but about responding to what God has already done. We are invited to live with purpose to share hope, love our neighbors, and trust that God can use even the smallest acts of faithfulness to impact eternity.

In Pastor Maiola's sermon from Matthew 3:13–4:11, we walk with Jesus from the waters of baptism into the wilderness of temptation. Although He had no sin, we see the beauty of Christ identifying with us in our weaknesses. Jesus stepped into baptism to fulfill all righteousness and to begin His public ministry in obedience to the Father. The Holy Spirit descends like a dove and the Father declares, "This is my beloved Son." Maiola reminds us of our identity in who God says we are and encourages us to dismiss the accusations of the enemy.

From there, we follow Jesus into the wilderness where He faces real temptation. The enemy attacks Jesus' identity, His physical needs, and tempts Jesus to worship him. Yet where Israel failed in the wilderness and where we often fail, Jesus succeeds perfectly by standing firm on the truth of God's Word. Through His humble obedience and submission to the Father, we see how trusting God's Word gives us strength in moments of testing and uncertainty.

We are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles. Jesus understands temptation and shows us His very own example of how to resist the schemes of the enemy. Because Christ has overcome, we can walk in confidence knowing our hope and victory are found in Him.

In Pastor Maiola's sermon from Matthew 3:13–4:11, we walk with Jesus from the waters of baptism into the wilderness of temptation. Although He had no sin, we see the beauty of Christ identifying with us in our weaknesses. Jesus stepped into baptism to fulfill all righteousness and to begin His public ministry in obedience to the Father. The Holy Spirit descends like a dove and the Father declares, "This is my beloved Son." Maiola reminds us of our identity in who God says we are and encourages us to dismiss the accusations of the enemy.

From there, we follow Jesus into the wilderness where He faces real temptation. The enemy attacks Jesus' identity, His physical needs, and tempts Jesus to worship him. Yet where Israel failed in the wilderness and where we often fail, Jesus succeeds perfectly by standing firm on the truth of God's Word. Through His humble obedience and submission to the Father, we see how trusting God's Word gives us strength in moments of testing and uncertainty.

We are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles. Jesus understands temptation and shows us His very own example of how to resist the schemes of the enemy. Because Christ has overcome, we can walk in confidence knowing our hope and victory are found in Him.

Matthew 3:1–17, introduces us to John the Baptist. He is the forerunner preparing the way for the coming King. John's call is clear and urgent: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." John's ministry in the wilderness fulfills prophecy and confronts empty religion, reminding us that true preparation for Christ begins in the heart.

Pastor Maiola shows us that repentance is more than feeling sorry; it is a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. A turning from what is sinful and disgusting and a turning towards God - walking in His light and freedom. When repentance is genuine, it produces real fruit - a transformed life shaped by ongoing surrender and sanctification. We are encouraged when we remember our salvation does not hinge on our lineage or our good works, but rather on Jesus' finished work on the cross.

As we turn the page to Matthew 2:13–23, Pastor Mike Skedeleski helps us to see the sovereign hand of God guiding and protecting us according to His redemptive plan, even when it seems to lead through danger, displacement, and sorrow. We learn that Joseph is obedient when told to take Mary and baby Jesus and flee to Egypt. What appears chaotic is actually fulfillment. God is retracing Israel's story and proving Himself, through Jesus, to be the True and Promised Deliverer.

Matthew shows us that even in heartbreaking tragedy, God's purposes prevail. From Egypt to Nazareth, every movement fulfills prophecy and demonstrates that God remains faithful to His promises. Pastor Mike reminds us that God's guidance requires our trust, even when we don't understand. God leads us step by step, and our calling is to obey with faith. In every season, whether marked by clarity or confusion, we can rest in the assurance that God is directing our path toward His greater purposes and ultimate redemption.

As we look into Matthew 2:1–12, we meet the wise men and their lengthy journey which teaches us about true worship. Set against the backdrop of political tension and fulfilled prophecy, the passage contrasts three responses to Jesus: hostility, indifference, and wholehearted worship.

Herod, a self-proclaimed king, responds to the news of Christ's birth with paralyzing fear and self-preservation. Though he knows the prophecies concerning the Messiah, he refuses to surrender his throne. The chief priests and scribes possess biblical knowledge and can quote Micah with precision, yet they remain unmoved. Close to the truth, yet cold-hearted and unwilling to seek the Savior. In contrast, the wise men travel hundreds of miles at great cost, seeking the King not for power or information, but for worship.

Pastor Maiola explains the difference between looking for what is merely intriguing and instead choosing to focus on what is truly important. While many details of the star and the magi spark curiosity, the central message is clear: God sovereignly guides seekers to Christ. Maiola challenges us to pursue Christ wholeheartedly and to offer Him worship that is costly, sincere, and filled with joy.

Matthew 1:18–25 draws our attention to the faith and obedience of Joseph when God unfolds the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. As Joseph faces the shock of Mary's pregnancy, Scripture reveals a righteous man who chooses to show mercy rather than condemnation. God calls Joseph to believe what is humanly impossible and to obey at great personal cost. His humble response demonstrates that faith is not merely intellectual agreement, but courageous trust expressed through obedient action.

In this message, we'll explore why affirming the virgin birth is essential to Jesus' identity as Savior and King. We see that through Joseph's willingness to receive Mary as his bride and to name the child Jesus, the legal lineage of David is preserved, and God's redemptive plan advances exactly as promised.

Pastor Maiola challenges us to believe that God is worthy of our trust and obedience, even if His calling disrupts expectations, invites misunderstanding, or requires sacrifice. Like Joseph, we are called to walk in faithful obedience, confident that God is always at work fulfilling His promises for His glory and our good.