AFTERWORDS: A Riverview Church Podcast
Riverview Church
A conversation with our teaching team, giving you a deeper look at each week's message.
Episodes
Like a Hungry Toddler
This week, Alex and Noel dig deeper into Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8, from what to do when two people are both convinced they’re right to why understanding our own hearts should make us more gracious toward others. They explore what Solomon’s repeated emphasis on God’s name and attributes reveals about who God is, and why praying Scripture can shape the way we think, feel, and worship. They also talk about written prayers, embodied worship, and the tension between authentic expression and our fear of emotionalism. Finally, Noel confesses to behaving like a hungry toddler, Alex worries that every sermon illustration is secretly about her, and they agree that trying to be God mostly makes everyone miserable.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected] additional resources for the KINGS series, including the Study Journal, at rivchurch.com/kings—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Little Nerdy Rabbit Trail
This week on AfterWords, Alex talks with Jon, Hezekiah, and Jordan about their messages from 1 Kings 8 and what happens when God’s presence fills Solomon’s temple. They discuss the difference between seeking God and trying to control him, why worship begins with his faithfulness, and how to recover a sense of wonder in everyday life. The conversation also gets practical about gratitude, stillness, and sharing the messy parts of our stories. Plus: moving hacks, emo Psalms, and the mystery of the missing manna.Listen to Hezekiah's messageListen to James' messageListen to Jon's messageListen to Jordan's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected] additional resources for the KINGS series, including the Study Journal, at rivchurch.com/kings—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Only One With a White Hat
What does Solomon’s temple tell us about the character of God—and why does Scripture spend so much time describing every detail? This week, Jason and Noel talk about the surprising size of the temple, why beauty and craftsmanship matter, and how creation itself reveals something about God. They also wrestle with God’s conditional promise to Solomon when God already knows Solomon won’t keep his end of the deal, and how that fits inside God’s larger, unconditional promises. Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected] additional resources for the KINGS series, including the Study Journal, at rivchurch.com/kings—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Welcome to the BeforeWords
Alex talks with Noel about his message from 1 Kings 4 about Solomon’s wisdom, prosperity, and the subtle cracks already appearing in his kingdom. They explore how wisdom requires slowing down enough to pay attention, why Solomon’s use of forced labor complicates an otherwise glowing picture of Israel’s flourishing, and what our own culture might be failing to notice. They also wrestle with why Christians can feel suspicious or even guilty when life is good—and how Psalm 23 gives us permission to receive both green pastures and dark valleys from the same faithful Shepherd.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected] additional resources for the KINGS series, including the Study Journal, at rivchurch.com/kings—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Why Is He Such a Chucklehead?
What does it actually mean to be wise—and how does the wisest man who ever lived still manage to make such disastrous choices? This week, Alex, James, Jordan, and Hezekiah dig deeper into 1 Kings 3, exploring Solomon’s request for wisdom, the tension already showing in his reign, and why biblical wisdom is less about knowing the right answer and more about recognizing our dependence on God. We also talk about discerning God’s will when Scripture doesn’t give a clear answer, the role of community in making wise decisions, and the danger of turning our personal preferences into universal convictions. Plus, we wrestle with high places, questionable marriages, 700 wives, and why Solomon may ultimately be a “do as I say, not as I do” kind of guy.Listen to Hezekiah's messageListen to James' messageListen to Jordan's messageListen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected] additional resources for the KINGS series, including the Study Journal, at rivchurch.com/kings—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
We Have a Fan Theory
In this episode, Alex and Noel unpack Psalm 72 and its picture of what a good king should be: just, righteous, protective of the vulnerable, and ultimately dependent on God. They discuss how Christians should think about authority, opposition, abuse of power, and the responsibility to honor leaders without ignoring wrongdoing. The conversation also turns personal as they consider how much influence we each have on the people around us and what it might mean to be experienced “like a spring rain.” Plus, they dig into whether Solomon actually wrote Psalm 72—and entertain a surprisingly plausible Song of Solomon fan theory.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected] additional resources for the KINGS series, including the Study Journal, at rivchurch.com/kings—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
The Bible Throws Shade
This week, Alex and Noel kick off the journey through First and Second Kings by digging into the strange, complicated final days of David and the beginning of Solomon’s reign. They talk about self-exaltation, mixed motives, justice and vengeance, and what to do with some of the Old Testament’s more violent and uncomfortable stories. Noel also explains how Israel’s kings point toward Jesus as the true King and why the failures of even the “good” kings matter. Plus, they chase a few biblical footnotes involving curses, thrown rocks, deathbed hit lists, and some surprisingly funny moments in Kings.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected] additional resources for the KINGS series, including the Study Journal, at rivchurch.com/kings—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
An Absolute Wild Weekend
In this episode, Alex and Noel reflect on the final passage of James and an unusually powerful weekend marked by prayer, confession, and people responding together in community. They talk about why physical expression in worship can be meaningful without becoming performative, how Riv approaches anointing with oil, and how to think about miraculous experiences through the framework of Scripture. Noel also explains how confession can break the cycle of sin, shame, and isolation, and why every follower of Jesus can pray as someone made righteous in Christ. They close by looking back at James as a book filled not just with commands, but with grace, joy, and a call to pursue people who are drifting.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
I Like Nuisance Waiting
This episode looks back at the book of James and explores what the series revealed about its surprising depth and practical wisdom. Jason talks with Andrew, Jordan, and James about patience, waiting, and the tension between faithfully doing what we can while trusting God with what we cannot control. They also unpack why Job can be an example of endurance despite all his complaining, what it means to wait well instead of becoming an “obnoxious waiter,” and how hope in Jesus’ return changes the way Christians experience uncertainty and suffering. The conversation closes with material that didn’t make the sermons, including the Testament of Job and why making vows can be another attempt to take control away from God.Listen to Andrew's messageListen to James' messageListen to Jordan's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Somebody Started Making Coffee
This week, Alex sits down with Justin and Andrew to unpack James 5:1–6 and one of the strongest rebukes in the New Testament. They explore what James is really saying about wealth, oppression, justice, and God’s heart for the vulnerable, while wrestling with difficult questions about how Christians should respond to injustice today. The conversation ranges from modern economic systems and moral responsibility to the prophets, church history, and why Scripture so consistently tells its story from the perspective of the oppressed. Finally, they reflect on what it means to trust God’s justice without surrendering our responsibility to love our neighbors well.Listen to Andrew's messageListen to Jordan's messageListen to Justin's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
I Wanna Do What I Wanna Do
In this episode, Jason talks with Hezekiah, Jon, and Tony about James 4:11–17 and the pride that can shape how we speak about others and make plans for ourselves. They distinguish loving correction from judgment and discuss practical tools for understanding passages that seem confusing or contradictory. The conversation also explores what it means to plan wisely while remaining dependent on God rather than treating him as an afterthought. They close by reflecting on control, the brevity of life, and why getting exactly what we want may not always be good for us.Listen to Jon's messageListen to Tony's MessageDue to a technical issue, audio of Hezekiah's message is not availableSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
You’re A Spiritual Toddler
In this episode, Alex sits down with Tony to unpack James 4:8–10 and explore why repentance is ultimately an invitation back to the presence of God, not just a response to guilt. They discuss how repentance changes as we mature in our faith, why authentic Christian community is essential for growth, and how the story of the prodigal son reframes God’s heart toward those who return to Him. Along the way, they talk about Bible reading rhythms, the courage it takes to be known by others, and the tension between the prodigal son and the older brother that often shows up in our own lives.Listen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Started Fighting the Wrong War
This week, Alex and Noel unpack James 4:1-7 and explain why the passage is aimed at conflicts within the church, not the culture outside it. The conversation explores how pride, selfish ambition, and misplaced priorities can undermine the church’s witness, why God’s grace sometimes feels like resistance, and how prayer reveals what kingdom we’re really pursuing. They also discuss repentance as a realignment of allegiance, the surprising encouragement that comes from years of faithful community, and why the Holy Spirit often works in ways the preacher never expects.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
We Gotta Talk About Demons
In this episode, Alex talks with Noel to unpack James 3’s contrast between earthly wisdom and wisdom from above, exploring how envy, selfish ambition, gentleness, and peace reveal what’s really happening in our hearts. They discuss why James was writing to believers—not outsiders—and how God’s grace meets people in the middle of their ongoing struggle with sin. They also dive into questions that didn’t make the sermon, including demonization, the tension between grace and transformation, what it means to cultivate peace, and why Christians should think of themselves as citizens of heaven first.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Flippancy and Thoughtfulness
In this episode, Noel and Alex continue the conversation around James 3, unpacking why teachers are held to a higher standard and what that means for anyone who handles Scripture. They explore how our words reveal our hearts, the challenges of communicating wisely in an age of social media and AI, and the difference between thoughtful correction and a critical spirit. Along the way, they discuss practical ways to let Scripture shape our speech, why context matters when choosing our words, and how Christians can speak truth with both courage and gentleness.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
You Are a Senseless Person
This week on AfterWords, Alex sits down with James and Riv's newest elder, Hezekiah Trevino, to unpack James 2:14-26 and the relationship between faith and works. They discuss why James and Paul can use the same story of Abraham while making different points, what it means for faith to be demonstrated through action, and how Christian growth is often seen in a person’s trajectory rather than perfection. The conversation also explores community, sanctification, rewards, and why James challenges believers to live in a way that reflects what they claim to believe. Along the way, they dive into Rahab and Abraham, Luther’s struggle with the book of James, and the practical implications of faith that is alive and active.Listen to Hezekiah's messageListen to James' messageListen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
We Want to be the Favored Ones
In this episode, Noel and Alex continue their conversation through James 2, exploring how favoritism reveals the gap between what we claim to believe and how we actually treat people. They discuss snap judgments, wealth and status in the church, why discipling people looks different across socioeconomic situations, and how easy it is to seek favoritism for ourselves while missing those around us. The conversation also gets practical, examining what it looks like to create a culture where everyone is noticed, welcomed, and treated with dignity. Finally, Noel shares stories from Cedar Point, church life, and the surprising challenges of living out James’ teaching.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Every Heretic Has His Verse
In this episode of AfterWords, Alex and Noel dig deeper into James 1 and the tension between faith, works, law, and grace. They explore what it means to be a “doer of the word,” why James’ “perfect law of freedom” isn’t a callback to legalism, and how the gospel changes the way Christians view obedience. Along the way, they wrestle with righteous anger, spiritual disciplines, caring for the vulnerable, and the challenge of holding truth and compassion together. The conversation also includes a surprisingly deep detour into digital distraction, reading habits, and whether anyone knows how to pronounce “tiramisu.”Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
A Lot of Drama in Me
Noel returns from a whirlwind trip to Manila to tackle Psalm 22 — Riverview's first foray into a new fifth-Sunday Psalms series. He and Alex geek out on a translation puzzle in verse 21, debating why some Bibles include "you answered me" and others don't, and what's actually at stake in that hinge. The conversation goes deep on whether Jesus was truly separated from the Father on the cross, the limits of systematic theology, and why holding open questions is part of healthy faith.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
That Deflection Mechanism
This week, Alex talks with Tony, Hezekiah, and Andrew about James 1:13-18, trials, temptation, and how God uses hardship to mature his people without ever being the source of temptation. They discuss the difference between lament and grumbling, why suffering can narrow our view of reality, and how James expands our timeline toward the hope of Christ’s return. The conversation also explores self-deception, cultural “truths” that pull us away from Scripture, and why knowing God’s character is essential when life feels confusing or painful.Listen to Andrew's messageListen to Tony's messageListen to Hezekiah's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
A Particular Type Of Person
This week’s episode kicks off Riverview’s new series through the book of James with a conversation about why this short, complicated, and deeply practical book has been surprisingly difficult to teach. Jason and Noel unpack how James differs from books like Acts or Philippians, why it reads more like Proverbs than a linear argument, and how misunderstanding it can turn faith into a checklist instead of a life transformed by grace. They also explore what it means to “consider it pure joy” in trials, why wisdom is tied to endurance, and how James keeps pointing believers back to the promise of the “crown of life.” Finally, they discuss Martin Luther calling James the “epistle of straw,” the danger of reading James without the rest of Scripture, and why this series is ultimately meant to produce joy, not guilt.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Not the Preferred Method
This week, Jason and Noel unpack the deeper tension underneath Jesus’ teaching on money in Luke 12: not just greed, but anxiety, control, and the way we struggle to think eternally. The conversation explores why we live as though this life is all there is, even while believing eternity is real, and how that shapes the way we view possessions, generosity, and security. They also discuss what it means to invest in people instead of things, the complicated balance between enjoying what God provides and holding it with open hands, and why anxiety may actually be one of the most common forms of greed. Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
We Won't Move On
This episode of the AfterWords Podcast digs deeper into Noel's recent sermon from 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, exploring the tension between cheerful giving, pressure, and spiritual formation. Jason and Noel talk about what it’s like to preach the same passage years later in a completely different context, why generosity is more about grace than obligation, and how habits of giving shape our hearts over time. The conversation also wrestles with practical questions from college students about cultivating generosity when resources feel limited, and what it would look like for the church to truly function as a “currency of grace” community. Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
I Want to Talk About Dragons
In this episode, Alex sits down with James, Tony, Justin, and Jordan (in his first appearance as a Riv Pastor) to reflect on a weekend focused on stewardship and an eternal mindset. The conversation weaves together Jordan’s pastoral recognition, the growth of the MSU venue, and the deeper tension of what it means to live as if nothing we have is truly ours. The group explores how money, time, and habits quietly shape us—often exposing where we place our security—and why obedience rarely waits for perfect motives. Finally, they wrestle with awareness versus action, the challenge of forming better patterns over time, and how an eternal perspective can bring peace to present pressures.Listen to James' messageListen to Jordan's messageListen to Justin's messageListen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
The Best Conversation You'll Never Hear
Alex had a great conversation this morning with Jordan, Justin, Tony, and James, but due to a technical glitch, it didn't get recorded. It really was a great conversation, though, you're just going to have to take my word for it. We're working on the possibility of dragging them all back into the studio and making them do it over again, or maybe something a little bit less onerous. If that happens, we'll drop it in the feed. Otherwise, we'll be back next week. Listen to James' messageListen to Jordan's messageListen to Justin's messageListen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Just Run the Other Way
In this episode, Alex sits down with James, Tony, Hezekiah, and Jon to unpack a weekend of messages centered on contentment and the tension between ambition, wealth, and faith. The conversation explores how desire shapes our lives, why contentment is something learned rather than found, and how both scarcity and abundance can pull us away from trusting Christ. Drawing from Scripture, personal stories, and cultural observations, they examine the subtle ways discontentment shows up—from everyday comforts to deeper questions of identity and security. The group also reflects on how community, perspective, and lived experience help re-anchor our hearts in what actually lasts.Listen to James' messageListen to Tony's messageListen to Hezekiah's messageListen to Jon's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Riverview Has a River
In this Episode, Alex talks with Noel about what turned out to be a chaotic but revealing weekend, as a flooded auditorium at the Holt Venue forced us to scatter across venues and live out its “one house, many rooms” identity in real time. From there, the conversation turns to the launch of the Rivals series, where Jesus Christ teaching about money as a competing master becomes the focus. Noel reflects on the difficulty of confronting money as a “rival god,” both personally and pastorally, and the subtle ways it shapes fear, anxiety, and decision-making. The discussion highlights how easily people miss or deflect these challenges, and why self-awareness is the real goal of the series. By the end, the episode frames the deeper question: what do we actually trust, and what are we afraid to lose?Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
We Didn't Get You a Helicopter
Jason sits down with Noel and Jordan to unpack Easter weekend, from the challenge of preaching to a mixed crowd of regular attenders, first-time guests, and “Christmas and Easter” visitors to the joy of seeing lives changed through baptism. They reflect on why the Easter message does not need a fresh twist as much as it needs a clear, faithful retelling, and they compare the different ways Noel and Jordan approached that same central question: Is it worth it to follow Jesus? The conversation also highlights what has made the MSU venue so remarkable this year, especially the clarity students are finding in following Jesus and the unusual number of baptisms that have come from that community. At the end, they talk about Jordan entering the final stage of the elder process and what it means for Riverview to recognize someone God has already shaped for pastoral ministry.Listen to Noel's messageListen to Jordan's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Just Ordinary Faithfulness
In this episode of AfterWords, Jason and Noel wrap up the church’s long journey through Acts and reflect on what surprised them most about the One More series, especially the way it captured the imagination of the church and led to more than 200 baptisms (including this upcoming Easter weekend). They talk about the intentionally unresolved ending of Acts, whether Paul ever actually got his audience with Caesar, and why Luke may have chosen to leave the story hanging. The conversation also digs into two of the message’s most compelling ideas: how sin can become something we love too much to let go of, and why the mission of Jesus is sustained not by hype but by ordinary faithfulness. They close by reflecting on Riverview’s deeper sense of calling and the “hope of Israel” that still pulsed through Paul’s heart even in chains.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
I Aggressively Love Cruises
This episode of AfterWords unpacks Acts 27 through a lively group conversation about cruises, storms, and what it means to trust God when life feels out of control. Alex is joined by Jordan, Tony, Hez, and James, and they explore how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility meet in the middle of suffering, and why Paul’s confidence rested not in calm circumstances but in God’s promises. The conversation moves from theology to pastoral wisdom, with thoughtful reflections on perseverance, community, and the passages each of them returns to for courage. It is a rich and surprisingly funny discussion about what it looks like to cling to what is true when the storm does not stop.Listen to James' messageListen to Tony's messageListen to Hez's messageListen to Jordan's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
Schrodinger's Salvation
Jason talks with Noel about Paul’s trial before Agrippa and what it reveals about purpose in difficult circumstances. Noel explains how Paul’s situation wasn’t just something to escape, but a position God was using, even when the outcome was uncertain. The conversation explores the tension of interpreting narrative Scripture without turning it into a formula, while still drawing meaningful principles. They also clarify “works worthy of repentance” as the natural result of a changed mind, not a way to earn salvation. The episode closes with a practical challenge: to actively look for gospel opportunities, even when they interrupt your plans.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
He's Doing a Lot of Math
In this episode of AfterWords, Jason and Noel talk through a passage in Acts that initially felt “administrative,” but unexpectedly resonated with many people who feel like life is heading in the wrong direction. Their conversation centers on the tension between God’s promises and the long seasons of waiting that often come before those promises are fulfilled. They reflect on how God’s faithfulness is often hidden inside ordinary events rather than dramatic miracles, and why trusting God’s character matters when the timeline doesn’t make sense. They also look at Paul’s steady focus on the resurrection—even during two years in prison—and what that persistence teaches about living with eternity in view.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
You Don’t Have a Case
Jason sits down with Noel to unpack the weekend message from Acts, starting with Noel’s brand-new status as a grandfather and ending with a deeper look at how Paul navigated conflict and opposition. The conversation explores why fear often leads people to silence, how to “drop the temperature” in difficult conversations, and what it looks like to speak about faith naturally instead of treating people like projects. They also dig into Paul’s surprising shrewdness—how wisdom, situational awareness, and pure motives can work together in service of the gospel. The result is a practical conversation about curiosity, conviction, and how to make Jesus believable in everyday interactions.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
I Am Outside of the Trunk
In this episode, Jason and the teaching team unpack the tension in Acts 21 around Paul’s decision to go to Jerusalem despite repeated warnings of suffering. They explore whether anyone was “wrong,” how to interpret prophecy faithfully, and what it means to test our understanding of suffering rather than avoid it. The conversation moves into the difference between contextualizing the gospel and compromising it, and why faithfulness does not guarantee comfort or acceptance. Listen to Hezekiah's messageListen to James' messageListen to Jordan's messageListen to Justin's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com
He Just Keeps Going
In this episode, Jason sits down with Tony, James, Jordan, and Hezekiah to unpack Acts 20, including Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders and the late-night gathering where Eutychus falls from a window. They reflect on what it reveals about the early church’s rhythms, Paul’s long obedience to his mission, and what it means to say, “my life is of no value to myself.” The conversation also explores leadership under pressure, cultural engagement without outrage, and why winning hearts matters more than winning arguments.Listen to James' messageListen to Hezekiah's messageListen to Tony's messageListen to Jordan's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
The Ice Buckets Came Out
In this episode of the Afterwards Podcast, Jason and Noel unpack Acts 19, focusing on what it means to have an incomplete understanding of faith and why the Holy Spirit matters in the life of a believer. They explore baptism—where it came from, what it signifies, and why belief in Jesus comes before having everything figured out. The conversation widens to the idea of the gospel not just changing individuals, but destabilizing entire cities, as seen in Ephesus. The episode closes with reflections on discipleship, identity, and how lasting change takes shape over time.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Healthy Dose of Imposter Syndrome
In this episode, Jason and Noel unpack the sermon from Acts 18, moving behind the scenes to talk about sermon prep, manuscripts, teleprompters, and why experienced pastors still feel panic before preaching. Noel reflects on imposter syndrome as a possible means of grace, how God works through weakness, and why humility and confidence often coexist in faithful leadership. The conversation also explores Priscilla and Aquila, bi-vocational ministry, and the powerful role ordinary faithfulness—like opening your home—plays in God’s mission. Throughout the episode, they emphasize that God’s purposes are not fragile and do not depend on perfect people.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Poor Random Jason
Jason and Noel dive into Acts 17, exploring how Paul masterfully adapted his message to different audiences without compromising the Gospel. They discuss the tension of maintaining a "cross-eyed" perspective—holding fast to Scripture while remaining culturally fluent—and address listener questions about idols and engaging with secular art. The conversation also highlights the importance of becoming a "digital Berean" by prioritizing the Bible over YouTube algorithms and online opinions.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
It Was Actually Aliens
This week, Jason talks with all four teachers to unpack one of the most layered stretches in Acts, where a single passage could have turned into a dozen different sermons. The conversation explores how pastors decide what to emphasize, how audience and venue shape application, and why disagreement, blocked plans, and hardship can still be part of God’s direction. The group digs into Paul and Barnabas’s conflict, the Spirit’s surprising guidance, and the tension between freedom and faithfulness in the prison narrative. It’s a candid look at how ministry stays faithful to the text while navigating real people, real limits, and real pressure.Listen to James' messageListen to Hezekiah's messageListen to Jordan's messageListen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
I Actually Vibe With That
Alex fills in for Jason again and dives deep with Noel into Acts 15 and why it represents a pivotal, make-or-break moment for the early church. Noel unpacks how the Jerusalem Council wrestled with grace, law, unity, and cultural difference, and why that tension still matters today. The conversation explores how good preferences can quietly turn into expectations and even requirements, often without us noticing. They also reflect on leadership, liberty, and what it really looks like to protect the gospel without flattening people’s cultures or consciences.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Refusing to Match Our Algorithm
In this episode, Noel and Alex dive into the challenges of living authentically in a culture that often tries to "neutralize" the edges of Jesus to fit a personal or social algorithm. They discuss the biblical account of Paul in Lystra, exploring what it means to truly deny oneself and prioritize Christ over the modern idols of politics, money, and comfort. The conversation also touches on the cost of vulnerability in leadership and practical ways to break free from the digital discipleship of social media.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the Exodus JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Interruption Is God’s plan
Jason sits down with Hezekiah and James to debrief Christmas Eve at the venues and talk about what made the night feel like a full-family celebration. From there, the conversation moves into Acts 13, including the very real geography of Paul’s journey and why seeing “scripture in stone” changes how you read the text. They wrestle with how the early church balanced planning with Spirit-led pivots, and why resistance does not automatically mean you’re off track. Listen to James' messageListen to Hezekiah's messageListen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Literally at the Crossroads
In this episode of the AfterWords Podcast, Jason sits down with Tony and James to talk through their Acts messages, starting with the church in Syrian Antioch as a strategic, multicultural “launching pad” for the gospel. They trace how persecution in Acts repeatedly backfires on the opponents of the church and becomes “rocket fuel” for the spread of Jesus’ message, often through unnamed believers. The conversation turns to Acts 12 and the question everyone asks: why James is executed while Peter is rescued, and how to hold grief and God’s sovereignty in the same hand. They finish with Herod’s downfall, “glory theft,” and what it looks like to redirect praise in a way that’s real, not performative.Listen to James' messageListen to Tony's messageListen to Justin's messageView our Christmas Eve service timesSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Everybody Lost Their Minds
Jason and Noel unpack a pivotal passage in Acts where baptism, obedience, and the gospel’s expansion collide in real time. They talk through Riverview’s decision to offer spontaneous baptisms whenever they appear in Acts and share stories of lives changed on the spot. The conversation widens to Peter, Cornelius, and the uncomfortable work of letting go of deeply held beliefs when God does something new. Along the way, they reflect on why this moment may be one of the most important turning points in the entire book of Acts.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Dead Things Don’t do Anything
In this conversation, Jason talks with Tony, Jordan, and Hezekiah, and unpacks Acts 9:32–10:8. They start by exploring how each wrestled with finding the “thread” that ties together a set of seemingly disconnected stories. They discuss the purpose of miracles, why they often weren’t for the person healed, and how that shapes the way we think about suffering and unanswered prayer today. The group dives into the parallels between Peter’s actions and Jesus’ ministry, the communal nature of intercession, and the challenge of teaching passages that act as narrative “pivot points.” Along the way, they debate Christmas movies, getting canceled, and whether Peter knew what was about to happen when he cleared the room.Listen to Jordan's messageListen to Tony's messageListen to Hezekiah's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
This Thing Is Real
In this episode, Jason and Noel unpack Saul’s surprising transformation in Acts 9, exploring how a man who seemed spiritually flawless—and deeply dangerous—could be so radically redirected by Jesus. They discuss Saul’s early influence, his role in the persecution of the church, and why his conversion required such extraordinary trust from the first believers. Noel explains how Scripture frames misguided zeal, suffering, and transformation, offering a lens for understanding both ancient and modern examples of dramatic faith change. The conversation closes with reflections on skepticism, influencer culture, and how genuine encounters with Jesus still overturn expectations.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
Came Dry, Left Soggy
This episode of the Afterwards Podcast starts with a lighthearted debate about Christmas decorations—real vs. fake trees, timing, and “country living”—before pivoting into a deeper conversation about two consecutive weeks of baptisms across Riverview’s venues. Jason, Tony, Justin, and Jordan share stories of planned and spontaneous baptisms, including students at MSU, families driving in from out of state, and people who responded in the moment. From there, they unpack Acts 8 and Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian man, exploring how quickly the gospel begins to reach “the ends of the earth” in ways that don’t always look obvious or spectacular. They also talk about how to discern when God is prompting you to do something, how to “test” those promptings with Scripture, community, and wisdom, and what it means to be faithful in seemingly small moments that God can turn into deep transformation. They close with a behind-the-scenes look at how they handled the more complex parts of the passage (like the eunuch) and how they think about sermon titles, tone, and what does—or doesn’t—make it into a Sunday message.Listen to Justin's messageListen to Hezekiah's messageListen to Jordan's messageListen to Tony's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
The Shadowy Figure
This week, Noel recaps a whirlwind weekend that included church planters, Harley rides, and the unexpected guest star of the morning: a spider swimming in his water cup. Jason and Noel unpack the message from Acts 8, exploring why Philip went to a place everyone assumed was irredeemable—and how God upended those assumptions. They dive into persecution, joy, baptism, Simon the Sorcerer, and why early Christians scattered and preached instead of hiding. Along the way, they touch on wacky preaching moments, revival, and why no one is beyond redemption.
When Do We Go Back to Normal?
In this episode of the Afterwards Podcast, Alex and Noel talk about the message from Acts 7 and how Stephen’s boldness, forgiveness, and faith in the face of death challenge believers today. Noel explains how Stephen’s sermon before the Sanhedrin exposed Israel’s history of resisting God’s work, connecting it to how the church today must fight comfort and remain open to being sent out. They discuss Riverview’s history of church planting, the tension between nostalgia and next-generation ministry, and how forgiveness—like Stephen’s final prayer—is about releasing others even when they don’t repent. The episode ends with a call to consider participating in church planting and a reminder that humility and forgiveness keep us from getting in God’s way.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]
The Thing Behind the Thing
In this episode of the AfterWords Podcast, Jason and Noel unpack Acts 6, where rapid growth in the early church led to tension, complaints, and the creation of a new leadership structure. They discuss how the apostles handled the challenge of unmet needs without losing focus on prayer and preaching, and how that model still shapes church life today. The conversation ranges from coffee cleanups to deacon roles, trust, leadership, and the humanity that inevitably comes with growth. It’s a practical, down-to-earth look at how systems and people work together in the body of Christ.Listen to Noel's messageSubscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)Download a copy of the One More Series JournalVisit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: [email protected]