September 13, 2026. What do you do when God opens a door to share your faith, but you don't feel ready? Acts 8 shows us that you don't need a perfect plan, a large audience, or every answer. You need a willing heart.

Joe Lewis walks through Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch and brings the message into everyday life: wherever God sends you, your message is Jesus. Philip leaves a joyful ministry in Samaria for a desert road, listens to one searching man, starts with Scripture, and faithfully points him to Christ. Along the way, we're reminded that one person matters to God, faithful obedience doesn't require complete information, and availability is often our first ability.

This message also challenges us to move beyond silent service and open our mouths about what Jesus has done. A kind act may open the door, but people need to hear the gospel. Whether you're talking with a neighbor, coworker, family member, classmate, or even someone you consider an enemy, be ready to recognize the opportunity and preach Jesus.

• Where might God already be preparing a conversation around you?
• What step of obedience have you been delaying because you want more information first?

Visit the church website to learn more, or join us in person next Sunday.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 8:25-40

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

September 6, 2026. What happens when we want God’s power, influence, or recognition more than we want God Himself? Acts 8 introduces us to Simon, a man fascinated by the work of the Holy Spirit but still trying to approach spiritual power through his old way of thinking.

Joe Lewis walks through Peter and John’s encounter with Simon and reminds us that God’s gifts are received by grace, not purchased, controlled, or used for personal gain. The gospel crosses the ancient divide between Jews and Samaritans, creating one people with one Savior, one gospel, one Spirit, and one church.

You’ll be encouraged to consider whether you want God to use you so He will be glorified, or simply so you can feel important. You’ll also see how grace changed John’s heart toward the Samaritans, how spiritual activity can never replace genuine surrender, and why church attendance, baptism, Bible knowledge, and ministry service aren’t substitutes for a heart made right before God.

• Am I asking God to be glorified, or am I looking for recognition?
• Is there an area of my life where I’m resisting the Holy Spirit’s rule?

Visit the Annistown Road Church website to learn more, or join us in person next Sunday.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 8:14-25

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

August 30, 2026. Who is your Samaria? The person, group, or neighbor you’ve quietly decided probably wouldn’t listen to the gospel? And what has your attention: Jesus, or success, politics, popularity, and the things that keep pulling the spotlight toward you?

Preaching from Acts 8:5-13, Joe Lewis follows Philip into Samaria, a place marked by deep hostility and division. Philip doesn’t bring his opinions, politics, or personal reputation. He proclaims Jesus Christ. As the gospel is heard, captives are freed, lives change, and an entire city finds joy.

The story also introduces Simon, a man who had amazed Samaria with his magic and built his identity around being seen as great. But when Philip arrives, the attention shifts. Simon can astonish people, but only Jesus can save. True gospel ministry doesn’t make the messenger bigger; it makes Jesus clearer.

This message calls us to recognize counterfeit spiritual power by knowing what is real through God’s Word, to cross the boundaries we’ve placed between ourselves and others, and to make sure our lives point people away from us and toward Christ.

• Who is your Samaria, and what boundary is keeping you from sharing the good news?
• What has your attention, and does your life make Jesus clearer to the people around you?

Visit the church website to learn more, or join us in person next Sunday.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 8:5-13

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

August 23, 2026. What if the setback you’re praying against is actually the way God is sending you? When life gets shaken - through loss, pressure, or a door slamming shut - it’s easy to think the mission is over. But Acts 8 says something different: the church may be scattered, but it’s still strong, and the gospel keeps moving.

Pastor Joe Lewis walks through the fallout after Stephen’s death, Saul’s violent persecution, and the surprising way God uses disruption to push ordinary believers into Judea and Samaria exactly where Jesus said the mission would go. You’ll hear how grief and faith can live side by side, why being displaced doesn’t mean being disqualified, and how the difference between a believer and a witness changes everything.

You’ll discover:

• Why pressure doesn’t cancel God’s plan
• How persecution can become deployment in God’s hands
• Why the gospel spread through everyday people, not just the apostles
• What Saul’s story teaches us about never giving up on difficult people

• What if God is using this season to send you, not sideline you?
• Are you carrying the gospel with you, or just the stress, fear, and disappointment?

This message is for anyone who feels stuck, scattered, or unsure of what God can do with where you’ve landed. It’s a reminder that Jesus is still Lord there too - at work in the place you didn’t choose, through the life you didn’t expect, and with a mission that cannot be stopped.

Visit our website or join us in person next Sunday and keep following Jesus with us.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 8:1-4

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

August 16, 2026. What do you do when obedience to God doesn’t open the door, but instead brings heat, pressure, and resistance? This message on Stephen’s death in Acts 7 asks the question so many believers face: what happens when faithfulness costs more than you expected?

Pastor Joe Lewis walks through Stephen’s final stand before the Sanhedrin and shows how the real battle wasn’t just over a temple or a courtroom - it was over hearts resisting the Holy Spirit. Along the way, he makes a powerful case that God cannot be contained by buildings, traditions, or ministry methods, and that truth doesn’t stop being true just because people don’t want to hear it.

You’ll be challenged to think about what you’re really holding onto - comfort, reputation, religious habits, or a genuine willingness to obey when God speaks. And you’ll be reminded that even when the world looks like it’s winning, heaven sees something different.

Reflection questions:

• Where have I been resisting God’s clear direction?
• Am I more attached to what God uses, or to God Himself?

If you need courage to stay faithful when it’s costly, this one is for you. Visit our website or join us in person next Sunday.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 7:44-60

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

August 9, 2026. What if God is already moving toward you in the middle of your ordinary day? When life feels repetitive, delayed, or heavy, this message from Joe Lewis opens Acts 7 and shows how the burning bush is really a window into God’s open heart.

You’ll hear how Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin with boldness, how Moses’ past in Egypt and years in Midian were never wasted, and why God’s words - “I have seen, I have heard, and I have come down” - still speak hope today. Joe traces the path from Moses to Jesus, showing that the same God who called, rescued, and sent deliverers is still pursuing people now, and that the deepest problem isn’t lack of evidence, but hearts that keep turning away.

You’ll discover:

• Why God often makes the first move before we ever do
• How holy ground is created by God’s presence, not a location
• Why miracles alone don’t change a rebellious heart
• How Moses points straight to Jesus, the greater Deliverer
• What happens when we settle for control, idols, or a religion that never reaches the heart

If you’ve ever wondered whether God sees you, hears you, or still cares after all this time, this sermon is for you. It’s a strong reminder that God doesn’t waste pain, doesn’t ignore suffering, and doesn’t stop pursuing the people He loves.

Reflection questions:

• Where might God already be speaking, even if the moment feels ordinary?
• What are you tempted to put on the throne of your heart instead of Christ?

Want to hear more? Visit our website or join us in person next Sunday and worship with us.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts7:30-43

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

August 2, 2026. Are you feeling caught between who you were and who you’re becoming? Sometimes, our past feels like a distant relative—familiar, but not always helpful.

This week, we explore how Jesus’s love doesn’t just erase our history—it redefines it. Pastor Joe Lewis reminds us that no matter what baggage we carry from the past, God's forgiveness offers a new start and a fresh identity rooted in His grace.

You’ll discover how to leave behind the shame of yesterday and step into the hope of today, empowered by a love that’s bigger than our mistakes. We talk about the power of grace to forgive, renew, and truly transform your story.

Ask yourself:

• What personal story am I holding onto that might be keeping me from moving forward?
• How can I embrace God's grace as my fresh start today?

Join us next Sunday in person or at our church website to experience the hope and peace that come from letting God rewrite your story.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 7:17-29

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

July 26, 2026. Sometimes, it feels like God's promises are taking forever—leaving us wondering, "Is He really coming through for me?" If you've been waiting on a breakthrough, healing, or a restored relationship, this message is for you.

This Sunday, we looked at how God keeps His promises—no matter how long it takes. From Abraham’s 25-year wait for Isaac to Joseph’s long road from the pit to power, the Bible shows us that delay isn’t denial. Stephen reminded us that God’s character never changes, and His promises are certain because He is the Promise Keeper. We even explored how Jesus’ return is the ultimate unconditional promise—no matter what the world looks like, He is coming back.

You’ll discover:

Why waiting for God's timing is actually part of His plan

How God uses every season, even the tough ones, to keep His word alive

That no delay equals a denial—God’s promises always come through in His perfect time

The importance of trusting the Promise Keeper, even when life doesn’t make sense

Think about this: Are you holding on to a promise from God? What might He want to teach you during your wait?

If you’re tired of feeling uncertain about His promises, come visit us in person or hop online. Next Sunday could be the start of your renewed hope.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 7:1-16

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If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

July 19, 2026. In this episode, Stephen's unwavering trust in God's promises transforms his act of martyrdom into a powerful testament of faith that still inspires today. You'll discover how God's initiative in seeking us, His faithfulness across generations, and His mastery in fulfilling promises defy human limitations, even amid life's waiting periods and uncertainties. This sermon of trust and divine faithfulness is essential listening for anyone navigating doubt, delay, or discouragement, reminding us that God's character remains unchanging and His promises always hold true.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 7:1-16

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Follow along with sermon notes and more on the Church Center app! Download now to get started.

If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla

July 12, 2026. In this inspiring episode, we explore how grace shines brightest under pressure through the story of Stephen, a humble servant who faces false accusations, persecution, and death with unwavering faith. You'll discover the secret tolasting influence isn’t fame or influence but private fullness of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to stand firm when attacked. This message reminds believers that true courage, wisdom, and grace are rooted in living in God's presence—no matter the opposition—transforming trials into moments of divine fulfillment and reflection of Christ’s glory.

Speaker: Joe Lewis

Main text: Acts 6:8-15

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Follow along with sermon notes and more on the Church Center app! Download now to get started.

If you have any questions about anything you heard on this episode, or if you want to start a relationship with Jesus, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Get in touch at annistown.com/contact

Intro/Outro Music: "368" by Dyalla