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.
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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.
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This week on the AfterWords Podcast, Jason sits down with Jordan, Tony, and James to talk about Acts 5 and what it means to obey God rather than people. They unpack what faithful obedience looks like when authority and conviction collide, how the apostles found joy in suffering, and why Gamaliel’s words still echo in the church today. Along the way, they imagine the Book of Acts as an action movie, debate who would direct it, and wrestle with what real persecution and faithfulness look like in 2025.
Listen to James' message
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Listen to Hezekiah's message
Jason and Noel open with a conversation about Riv’s decision to stop passing the red buckets. They unpack why the shift lowers guilt, improves service flow, and still calls people to conviction-driven generosity even if the budget dips. From Acts 4–5 they contrast Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit with Jesus’ generosity, argue that every sin is foremost against God, and urge us to more loosely hold our possessions. They finish by talking about the “Peter’s shadow” verses and why that section didn’t make the sermon.
Listen to Noel's message
Jason and Noel talk about tech
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Jason and Noel talk about Acts 4, beginning with a running pineapple-pizza joke that frames a larger point about unity and “buckets of belief” (orthodoxy vs. preferences) and why many church fights are trivial. The episode contrasts American discomfort with real persecution abroad and argues that bold witness grows from re-scaling our “pittance” of suffering against the “weight of glory.” Practical boldness starts small: tell someone the name of your “One More,” invite them, and let that accountability fuel your courage. They also spotlight Riverview’s local strategic partners, and Noel's "one thing that didn't make the message" takes an unexpected turn.
What does Noel mean by "buckets of belief?"
Positions and Postures (more about buckets)
Riverview's Local Strategic Partners
In this episode of The AfterWords Podcast, Jason and Noel start lightheartedly—with new Riverview merch and some good-natured teasing—before diving deep into Acts 4. They explore how Peter and John’s boldness before the Sadducees reveals the tension between human control and divine truth, and how the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to speak with extraordinary courage. The conversation unpacks civil disobedience, spiritual gifts, and why the Sadducees’ obsession with control feels surprisingly modern.
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In this episode of the Afterwards Podcast, Jason and Noel dive into a message from Acts 3 that sparked more feedback than usual. They discuss why the early church’s devotion in Acts 2:42 wasn’t meant to be an end but a launching point for sharing Jesus outside the walls of the church. The conversation explores the river-versus-lake metaphor, how to recognize and engage with people in everyday places, and the tension between faith, evangelism, and meeting real needs. Along the way, Noel reflects on evangelism as both a gift and a calling, and shares practical ways to have conversations that point toward Jesus.
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This week on the Afterwards podcast, Jason sits down with Tony, Justin, and James to reflect on Acts 2:42–47 and how the early church compares with our modern experience of church. The conversation covers everything from the romanticized view of the first-century church to the challenges of living out devotion, fellowship, and mission in today’s culture. They talk about why community is necessary, how distractions and individualism pull us away, and what it looks like to stay devoted together. Along the way, there’s humor, a mea culpa, and plenty of practical reflection on what it means to be the church now.
Listen to James' message
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Listen to Justin's message
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This week’s episode of Afterwards brings together five teachers for a wide-ranging conversation on Peter’s first recorded sermon in Acts 2. The group unpacks how Luke recorded the message, what it means that “with many other words” Peter kept going, and how oral tradition and the Spirit’s inspiration shape our understanding of scripture. They also wrestle with whether baptism is part of salvation, how preachers should respond to heavy cultural events, and why the gospel always remains the central focus. Along the way, they share stories of recent baptisms, moments of hope, and the challenge of preaching faithfully in difficult times.
Listen to James' message
Listen to Jordan's message
Listen to Tony's message
Listen to Hezekiah's message
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In this episode of the Afterwards Podcast, Jason and Noel record from Jacksonville, Florida while attending a conference. They unpack what it really means for a church to be Pentecostal—united in prayer, empowered by the Spirit, and focused on the gospel. The conversation dives into common confusions about the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and how spiritual gifts function in the church today. Along the way, they draw connections from Pentecost to cultural engagement, the Tower of Babel, and what it means to speak the language of the next generation.
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In this episode of the AfterWords Podcast, Jason and Noel dive into Acts 1:12–26 and wrestle with what it means to find meaning in a passage that at first seems sparse. They unpack how the disciples responded after seeing the risen Jesus face to face, why replacing Judas mattered, and how Scripture plus prayer gave them a plan. Along the way, they discuss the role of the Holy Spirit, the dangers of misusing verses, and what it means for the church today to be continually united in prayer. The conversation blends humor, theology, and practical insight—including chainsaws, unfinished summer projects, and even the awkward question of “who’s Peter?”
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In this episode of AfterWords, Jason and Noel reflect on the launch of Riverview’s new teaching series, called One More. They talk about "why Acts?" as well as the excitement of returning to Michigan State’s campus with a packed service. They also discuss the vision behind the “One More” theme, the unstoppable story of the church in Acts, and the role of eyewitnesses and the Holy Spirit in shaping bold faith. They also explore tough questions about martyrdom, baptism, and why churches often talk less about the Spirit.
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In this episode of AfterWords, Jason and James reflect on the final message of the Upvote series, which explored the ultimate question: what happens after we die? They discuss how the Bible speaks to eternity, heaven, and misconceptions about the afterlife, and why it can be so difficult for us to grasp eternal realities. The conversation ranges from the challenges of teaching topical sermons to the hope of resurrection, the tension between grief and joy, and the comfort of Paul’s words about being “at home with the Lord.” Finally, they consider how an eternal perspective reshapes how we live right now.
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In this episode of AfterWords, Jason sits down with Hezekiah to unpack his recent message from Acts 17, where Paul addresses the people of Athens about the “unknown god.” They discuss what sets Christianity apart from other religions, why the difference is ultimately about Jesus, and how to navigate conversations in a world full of competing beliefs. They explore Paul’s approach to evangelism, the importance of relationship over religion, and how to speak to people who are turned off by the label “Christianity.” Plus, Jason gets the backstory on Hezekiah's amazing cereal-box “Word-Os” shirt.
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In this episode of AfterWords, Jason and Noel dive into a challenging and often controversial topic: the biblical distinctions between men and women. They reflect on the message from the weekend, discuss the cultural and theological tensions surrounding gender roles, and explore why Riverview Church holds a complementarian view. From clapping quirks to 10,000-word sermon drafts, they unpack the seriousness, the nuance, and even the joy found in this conversation. Plus, Noel shares the best question he got all weekend—and why it caught him off guard.
Listen to Noel's message
Sacred Embodied Temples - Dr. Justin Detmers, 10/29/2023
The Meaning of Marriage - Tim and Kathy Keller
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In this episode of the AfterWords podcast, Jason and Tony unpack the sermon about emotions and explore the role they play in our spiritual lives. From World Emoji Day to the writings of Paul, they reflect on how emotions are both a gift from God and a battleground between flesh and spirit. The conversation touches on anxiety, anger, joy, and how scripture helps us process and respond to emotions in healthy, gospel-centered ways. With honest reflections and practical wisdom, they remind us that emotions are gauges—not guides—and that spiritual habits and godly community are key to navigating them well.
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This week on the Afterwards Podcast, Alex and Pastor James unpack the intersection of faith, mental health, and physical well-being, reflecting on Elijah’s breakdown and the tender response of God. James shares personal experiences with anxiety, grief, and PTSD, and explores how we can live whole lives by stewarding our minds, bodies, and souls. The conversation touches on addiction, gluttony, rhythms of rest, and the importance of scripture and community in navigating struggle.
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In this episode of the AfterWords podcast, Alex McGraw sits down with Pastor Noel to explore one of the most theologically loaded and emotionally charged questions in Christianity: Does God choose us, or do we choose Him? They unpack the mystery of God’s sovereignty and human free will through the story of Jonah, salsa dancing, motorcycles, and the butterfly effect. Along the way, they discuss how this tension brings comfort, how our failures fit into God’s plan, and why embracing mystery is often more faithful than forcing certainty. It’s a conversation that will make you laugh, think deeply, and maybe even rethink your theology—gleefully inconsistently, of course.
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This week, Jason sits down with Jordan to discuss his message on the history and purpose of Christian denominations. Using Jordan’s extensive shoe collection as a metaphor, they explore how different "brands" of Christianity can all be valid while having distinct philosophies. They also cover RIV's non-denominational status, how the church maintains theological accountability, and how to approach conversations with people from different faith backgrounds.
Listen to Jordan's message
Watch this episode on YouTube
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In this episode of AfterWords, Jason sits down with Justin to unpack the message with the most listener questions ever, on the topic of spiritual warfare. They explore what was left out of the sermon (by design), why people tend to over-credit Satan for their struggles, and how to see and counter the enemy’s work not just in the extraordinary, but in the everyday. They also talk about mental health, the influence of ideology, and why C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters might be the most chillingly insightful book he ever wrote.
Listen to Justin's message
Theodicy (from GotQuestions.org)
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