AFTERWORDS: A Riverview Church Podcast

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 movi...

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 ou...

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.” Practica...

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 unpack...

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 plac...

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,...

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,...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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, th...

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 se...

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 i...

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, rhy...

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 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...

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 heal...

In this episode of AfterWords , Jason and Tony kick off the new “Upvote” series by reflecting on the topic of doubt—and why it doesn’t have to be the enemy of faith. They explore the difference between honest, faithful doubt and the kind that leads to apathy or isolation. Drawing from personal experience, scripture, and Gary Habermas’s framework on doubt, Tony shares practical ways to “diagnose yo...

In this Father’s Day episode of The AfterWords Podcast , Jason sits down with Hezekiah, Tony, and James to reflect on the sacred calling of fatherhood. They talk about what it means to reflect the heart of God as a dad, how their own experiences as fathers shape their understanding of God’s love, and the challenges of being present, not perfect. From grilled kebabs to deep conversations about cult...

This episode of AfterWords dives into one of the most challenging and deeply personal topics yet: what to do when family hurts . Jason sits down with Justin, Hezekiah, and Tony to talk through the message on forgiveness, boundaries, and the complexities of family wounds. Together, they explore how pastors approach such emotionally charged topics with both empathy and truth, and how forgiveness is...

In this episode of the AfterWords Podcast, Jason, Noel, and guest host Alex McGraw have an honest and hopeful conversation about parenting through a gospel lens. They explore the tension between law and grace, the myth of perfect parenting formulas, and the freedom in pointing our kids to Jesus rather than trying to save them ourselves. Whether you’re a young parent, an empty nester, or somewhere...

In this episode of the AfterWords Podcast, Jason is joined by James, Justin, and Hez to unpack the latest sermon on marriage from Ephesians 5. They discuss the biblical model of mutual submission, the cultural baggage we carry into marriage, and how Christian marriage differs from consumerist expectations. The conversation touches on singleness, unity, truth-telling, and why reframing authority an...

Join the women behind the Adelfi Women's Conference, including Women's Ministry Director at Riverview, Wendy Smith, as well as keynote speakers Alex McGraw, Julie Partridge, and Karen Ehman, as they dive into the inspiration and impact of this special event. Discover how the theme of "Adelfi" (sisterhood) came to be, and hear firsthand accounts of the conference's focus on women encountering Jesus...

This week on the AfterWords podcast, Jason talks with Noel and Jordan about their sermons on singleness. They explore why singleness is often misunderstood and undertaught in the church, challenging the misconception of marriage as the "finish line." Discover how the church has historically treated singleness and delve into what it truly means to affirm and support single individuals today. Listen...