AFTERWORDS: A Riverview Church Podcast

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 d...

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 p...

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 perfe...

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....

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 vulne...

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 li...

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-de...

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 inste...

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 mea...

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...

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...

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...

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 stor...

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 ref...

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 an...

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 audienc...

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 conv...

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 princip...

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 faithfulne...

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 peo...

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 com...

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 explore...

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...

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 expl...

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 becomin...