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.
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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.
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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.
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View our Christmas Eve service times
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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