Monthly Archives: February 2025

Sermon Preached in Holualoa

Leave a reply

Good evening, everyone! What a blessing it is to be gathered here in the beautiful town of Holualoa, a place known for its peace, its rich coffee culture, and its thriving arts scene. Tonight, I want to talk about something far more precious than coffee or art. I want to talk about the authority of Jesus Christ and what that means for us as believers.

Let’s turn to Mark 1:21. It says that Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and taught, and the people were astonished. Now, astonished is a strong word. It means they were absolutely amazed, awestruck by His doctrine. But why? Was it because He used complex words? Because He quoted the greatest rabbis? No! It was because of how He taught—with authority!

Unlike the religious leaders of the time who debated theories and left people confused, Jesus spoke with certainty. He didn’t say, “Well, some scholars believe this, while others say that, so you decide for yourself.” No! He said, “This is what God says, and this is what it is!” And the people marveled because they had never heard anyone teach like that before.

Holualoa, a town built on volcanic history, reminds us of the power that shapes landscapes. But there is no greater power than the authority of Jesus Christ! And I want you to grasp tonight that His authority wasn’t just something He used in His teachings—it was evident in everything He did, in His miracles, and in how He dealt with the enemy.

Mark 1:23 tells us that while Jesus was teaching, a man with an unclean spirit cried out. The demon said, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us?” The devil himself recognized the authority of Jesus! And how did Jesus respond? Did He panic? Did He gather people to intercede for hours? No! He simply said, “Be quiet, and come out of him.” And the demon had no choice but to obey.

Church, listen to me. The devil thrives in an environment of fear, but Jesus never operated in fear—He operated in authority! And that same authority is given to us as believers. But too many Christians live in defeat because they don’t understand their authority in Christ.

When trouble comes, do you stand firm and say, “In Jesus’ name, this has to go,” or do you panic and cry, “Oh Lord, what am I going to do?” The enemy feeds off fear, but when you resist him in faith, he has no choice but to flee. James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” It doesn’t say he might flee. It says he will!

Some of you here tonight need to stop letting the devil run your life. You need to rise up in your God-given authority and tell the enemy, “Enough is enough!” Whether it’s sickness, depression, fear, or oppression—whatever the devil is using to try and keep you bound—you have the authority in Jesus’ name to command it to leave.

Let me tell you something: The power of God is not just in His hand or in His arm—it’s in His very finger! In Luke 11:20, Jesus said, “If I cast out devils by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The devil isn’t some mighty force equal to God—he’s a defeated foe who trembles at the presence of God’s power! If just the finger of God can cast out demons, how much more powerful is His entire hand upon your life?

Now, some might say, “Well, that was Jesus. We can’t expect to operate like Him.” But that’s not what the Bible teaches. Jesus operated as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 says, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” If Jesus did this as the Son of God alone, we wouldn’t have a chance. But He showed us how to live as Spirit-filled believers.

So why do we hesitate? Why do we struggle with fear and doubt? It’s because the enemy wants to keep us in ignorance. He knows that a believer who understands their authority is a believer who cannot be stopped!

I’ll share a testimony with you. There was a man named Kenneth E. Hagin, a great minister of God, who had a vision of Jesus. During that vision, a little demon-like creature began making noise and trying to block his view of Jesus. Brother Hagin thought, “Why doesn’t Jesus make him stop?” But Jesus kept talking as if He didn’t even notice the demon. Finally, out of frustration, Brother Hagin commanded the creature to be silent in the name of Jesus, and instantly, it fell and the disturbance ceased.

Afterward, Jesus told him something powerful: “If you hadn’t done something about that, I couldn’t have.” Brother Hagin was shocked! He thought, “Surely You meant You wouldn’t.” But Jesus replied, “No, I meant I couldn’t.” And He showed him scriptures proving that the authority to resist the devil has been given to us, not something God does for us.

Ephesians 4:27 says, “Neither give place to the devil.” That means it’s up to us not to allow him to operate in our lives. Too many people pray, “Oh God, please make the devil stop,” when God has already given us the authority to stop him!

Holualoa, just like this town is known for its history of movement—sledding down the volcanoes—we are called to move with power and authority in Christ. It’s time to stop living in fear, stop tolerating the enemy’s lies, and start walking in the victory that Jesus purchased for us.

Tonight, I challenge you to take hold of the authority that has been given to you. Speak to the mountains in your life and tell them to move. Speak to the sickness and tell it to leave. Speak to the darkness and command it to flee. And know that when you stand in the authority of Jesus Christ, the enemy has no choice but to obey!

Let’s pray: Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, we declare victory over every attack of the enemy. We take hold of the authority You have given us, and we choose to walk in it daily. Strengthen our faith, open our eyes to Your truth, and help us to live boldly in the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

God bless you, Holualoa! Walk in your authority!

Nancy had a dream about Wailua Homesteads

Leave a reply

Nancy had never experienced a dream so vivid, so undeniably real. It was as if she had been transported to another place, yet everything around her was familiar—the lush landscapes, the rolling hills, and the comforting serenity of Wailua Homesteads. She could feel the warm Hawaiian breeze on her skin and hear the gentle rustle of palm trees swaying in the wind. The eastern side of Kauai, known for its beauty, stretched before her in vibrant colors, and the peace she felt was unlike anything she had known.

As she walked along a narrow path, she noticed the golden hues of the morning sun casting a glow upon the town. Wailua Homesteads, a small community of just over 7,000 people, felt even more intimate in her dream. She could sense the kindness and warmth of the people, the deep-rooted love that bound the community together. It was a place where families thrived, where children laughed freely, unburdened by the fears of the outside world. The crime rates were low, and peace covered the town like a protective veil.

But as Nancy ventured further, she saw something unusual—a beautiful home perched atop a hill, overlooking the breathtaking landscape. The home stood tall and inviting, yet something about it felt sacred. She stepped closer, her heart pounding with anticipation. As she reached the door, it swung open, and a gentle voice called to her, “Come in, my child.”

Inside, she found a radiant figure clothed in white, sitting in the center of the room. A great light surrounded Him, and though His face was not entirely visible, she knew—this was the presence of the Lord. Overcome with awe, Nancy fell to her knees. The air in the room was filled with a divine fragrance, and a deep sense of love and peace enveloped her.

The Lord spoke softly yet powerfully, “Nancy, my daughter, I have shown you this place because I am calling my people back to their first love. Too many have wandered, chasing after things that do not satisfy. But here, in this place of stillness, I am found.”

Tears streamed down Nancy’s face as she listened. “But Lord,” she whispered, “what can I do? I am just one person.”

The Lord’s voice resonated like a gentle wave, “You do not have to do it alone. Just as this town is built on a foundation of love and unity, so too must my people come together. Tell them, Nancy, that I am calling them to return to me. I have prepared a place for them, a sanctuary of peace.”

As the Lord spoke, Nancy saw visions of people gathering, lifting their hands in worship, filling the streets with praise. She saw families being restored, children playing in safety, and hearts turning back to God. The town of Wailua Homesteads became a place of divine presence, where people sought refuge in the arms of the Lord. Even the Kauai Hindu Monastery, known for meditation and spiritual healing, seemed to echo the call for deeper intimacy with God.

The Lord continued, “The beauty of this land is a reflection of my creation, but true beauty is found in a heart fully surrendered to me. The world seeks after material wealth, but my people will find joy in my presence. The hills, the ocean, the mountains—they all declare my glory. Let them look beyond what they see and find the eternal riches of my Kingdom.”

Nancy’s heart burned within her. She understood now—this was not just a dream, but a divine commission. She had been shown a vision of what could be if the people of Wailua Homesteads and beyond turned their hearts back to the Lord.

Before she could speak, the scene began to shift. She found herself standing on one of the highest peaks in the area, overlooking the vast expanse of Kauai. The wind wrapped around her like an embrace, and the Lord’s voice echoed once more, “Guard what I have entrusted to you. The time is now. The harvest is ready. Go and tell them.”

And just like that, Nancy awoke.

Her heart was pounding, her breath shallow. She sat up in bed, still feeling the presence of the Lord around her. The dream had been so real—every detail vivid, every word spoken directly to her soul. She knew she could not keep this to herself. She had been given a message, and she had to share it.

The next morning, Nancy gathered a small group from her church and recounted everything she had seen and heard. As she spoke, tears filled the eyes of those listening. They too felt the weight of the message, the urgency in the Lord’s words.

“We must return to Him,” Nancy declared. “We must make this place more than just a beautiful town. We must make it a sanctuary, a dwelling place for God’s presence. He is calling us back to our first love.”

From that day on, a revival began to stir in Wailua Homesteads. People began to gather for prayer, seeking the Lord earnestly. The town, already known for its natural beauty, became known for something far greater—the presence of God among His people. Homes became places of worship, and the streets echoed with songs of praise.

Nancy’s dream had not only changed her life—it had awakened a town to the call of God. And as they answered, they found what they had always longed for—not just safety, not just breathtaking views, but the everlasting peace of dwelling in the presence of their Creator.

Church Meeting in Mililani Town

Leave a reply

Francesca, a long-time resident of Mililani Town, stood before the small church gathering one Sunday evening. The discussion topic for the night was “Faith and Community: Finding Spiritual Strength in Our Towns.” The pews were filled with members eager to discuss how their faith connected with their daily lives in Hawaii.

“Aloha, everyone!” Francesca began. “Tonight, I want to talk about how we see God moving in our towns and communities. Each of us lives in a unique place, but the Lord’s presence is evident everywhere—from Wailuku in Maui to Mililani Town in Oahu, and all the way to Holualoa on the Big Island.”

A woman from the back, Leilani, raised her hand. “Francesca, I love that! Sometimes I feel disconnected from my faith during the week. How do we stay spiritually strong while balancing life in places like Wailua Homesteads or Kapaa?”

Francesca smiled. “Great question! It starts with recognizing the beauty of where God has placed us. Take Wailuku, for example. It was once a bustling tourist hub but has since become a cultural treasure filled with local pride and artistic expression. Isn’t that how God works? He takes what seems to be fading and breathes new life into it. When we walk through our towns, we should pray over them. Ask God to restore and bless them.”

Pastor Keoni chimed in. “That reminds me of 2 Chronicles 7:14: ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’ Our faith isn’t just personal—it’s meant to impact our communities.”

“That’s so true,” Francesca agreed. “Mililani Town, where I live, is known for its strong sense of community. But what makes it special isn’t just the well-kept parks or good schools—it’s the people. The Bible tells us in Matthew 5:14, ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.’ If we, as believers, shine our light, we can transform our communities.”

A young man, Kaleo, leaned forward. “I get what you’re saying, but it’s not always easy. The cost of living here is high, and it can be stressful just trying to make ends meet. How do we hold on to faith when things are tough?”

Francesca nodded. “I hear you. The reality is that Hawaii is expensive. We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, but the financial struggles are real. I think of Philippians 4:19: ‘And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.’ We must trust that God is our provider. And we need to lean on each other as a community of faith. That’s why churches are so important—we’re here to support one another.”

Leilani added, “That reminds me of Waikapu in Maui. It’s a growing area, and people are coming together to make it a better place. I think that’s what we should do as believers—help our towns grow spiritually, just as they grow physically.”

Pastor Keoni nodded. “Absolutely! We’re called to be kingdom-builders. Just like Maunawili on Oahu has lush greenery and breathtaking trails, our faith journey is full of twists and turns. But when we stay rooted in God’s Word, we can navigate any challenge.”

Francesca clapped her hands together. “That’s exactly it! Think about Haiku-Pauwela in Maui—known for its artistic community and rich agriculture. Our faith is like that too. We must plant seeds, nurture them, and trust that God will bring the harvest. Whether we live in bustling Urban Honolulu or peaceful Holualoa, we are called to bring Christ into every space we occupy.”

Kaleo grinned. “So, what you’re saying is that no matter where we live, whether it’s a small town like Wailua Homesteads or a busier place like Kailua, our faith should shape how we engage with our community?”

“Exactly!” Francesca replied. “God placed us here for a reason. Each town has its own identity, challenges, and blessings. And we, as His people, are here to bring hope, healing, and light.”

As the discussion wrapped up, Pastor Keoni led a prayer: “Lord, thank you for our beautiful home. Let us be your hands and feet in these places, bringing faith, love, and transformation. Amen.”

The congregation left that night inspired, realizing that their faith wasn’t just about Sunday services—it was about being a light in their communities every day.