Not the Preferred Method

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 message Subscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/riverview-church-message-podcast/id73802582] / Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6m7Hg7CJSIyFJ3zp2u3bj6?si=3ccf91d033054248]) Download a copy of the One More Series Journal [https://cdn02.rivchurch.com/assets/One-More-Studuy-Journal.pdf] Visit us online: rivchurch.com [https://rivchurch.com/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rivchurch] Send us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com [podcast@rivchurch.com] — About Riverview Church Riverview 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 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbF9FbDhfeXVYUnhtMmJvUmhuOGZvaW54cGxoQXxBQ3Jtc0ttSjM2TUNWVE9SNzJBSEh4M3lleElpanYtNzFaWFBrV0VBTnNNaEpMSFNoWnY1N01IQ3ZXSi1Jd1dvMVkxc19OR0t4cE1sR1lIQUpIZndrTWFtZTd1dzVlYUs4clh2a3cxbzNPNEJKbV9ia1FiVHhfQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frivchurch.com%2F&v=W_rwoS5Yf4o]

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 message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exhaling-pain-inhaling-grace-noel-heikkinen/id73802582?i=1000770621800] Subscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/riverview-church-message-podcast/id73802582] / Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6m7Hg7CJSIyFJ3zp2u3bj6?si=3ccf91d033054248]) Download a copy of the One More Series Journal [https://cdn02.rivchurch.com/assets/One-More-Studuy-Journal.pdf] Visit us online: rivchurch.com [https://rivchurch.com/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rivchurch] Send us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com [podcast@rivchurch.com] — About Riverview Church Riverview 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 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbF9FbDhfeXVYUnhtMmJvUmhuOGZvaW54cGxoQXxBQ3Jtc0ttSjM2TUNWVE9SNzJBSEh4M3lleElpanYtNzFaWFBrV0VBTnNNaEpMSFNoWnY1N01IQ3ZXSi1Jd1dvMVkxc19OR0t4cE1sR1lIQUpIZndrTWFtZTd1dzVlYUs4clh2a3cxbzNPNEJKbV9ia1FiVHhfQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frivchurch.com%2F&v=W_rwoS5Yf4o]

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 message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-be-deceived-andrew-bolkcom/id73802582?i=1000769673540] Listen to Tony's message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-be-deceived-tony-pyle/id73802582?i=1000769673443] Listen to Hezekiah's message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-fall-for-it-hezekiah-trevino/id73802582?i=1000769676300] Subscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/riverview-church-message-podcast/id73802582] / Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6m7Hg7CJSIyFJ3zp2u3bj6?si=3ccf91d033054248]) Download a copy of the One More Series Journal [https://cdn02.rivchurch.com/assets/One-More-Studuy-Journal.pdf] Visit us online: rivchurch.com [https://rivchurch.com/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rivchurch] Send us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com [podcast@rivchurch.com] — About Riverview Church Riverview 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 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbF9FbDhfeXVYUnhtMmJvUmhuOGZvaW54cGxoQXxBQ3Jtc0ttSjM2TUNWVE9SNzJBSEh4M3lleElpanYtNzFaWFBrV0VBTnNNaEpMSFNoWnY1N01IQ3ZXSi1Jd1dvMVkxc19OR0t4cE1sR1lIQUpIZndrTWFtZTd1dzVlYUs4clh2a3cxbzNPNEJKbV9ia1FiVHhfQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frivchurch.com%2F&v=W_rwoS5Yf4o]

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 message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sweet-maple-syrup-of-joy-noel-heikkinen/id73802582?i=1000768424252] Subscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/riverview-church-message-podcast/id73802582] / Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6m7Hg7CJSIyFJ3zp2u3bj6?si=3ccf91d033054248]) Download a copy of the One More Series Journal [https://cdn02.rivchurch.com/assets/One-More-Studuy-Journal.pdf] Visit us online: rivchurch.com [https://rivchurch.com/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rivchurch] Send us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com [podcast@rivchurch.com] — About Riverview Church Riverview 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 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbF9FbDhfeXVYUnhtMmJvUmhuOGZvaW54cGxoQXxBQ3Jtc0ttSjM2TUNWVE9SNzJBSEh4M3lleElpanYtNzFaWFBrV0VBTnNNaEpMSFNoWnY1N01IQ3ZXSi1Jd1dvMVkxc19OR0t4cE1sR1lIQUpIZndrTWFtZTd1dzVlYUs4clh2a3cxbzNPNEJKbV9ia1FiVHhfQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frivchurch.com%2F&v=W_rwoS5Yf4o]

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 message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eternal-roi-noel-heikkinen/id73802582?i=1000767213874] Subscribe to our Messages podcast (Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/riverview-church-message-podcast/id73802582] / Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6m7Hg7CJSIyFJ3zp2u3bj6?si=3ccf91d033054248]) Download a copy of the One More Series Journal [https://cdn02.rivchurch.com/assets/One-More-Studuy-Journal.pdf] Visit us online: rivchurch.com [https://rivchurch.com/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rivchurch] Send us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com [podcast@rivchurch.com] — About Riverview Church Riverview 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 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbF9FbDhfeXVYUnhtMmJvUmhuOGZvaW54cGxoQXxBQ3Jtc0ttSjM2TUNWVE9SNzJBSEh4M3lleElpanYtNzFaWFBrV0VBTnNNaEpMSFNoWnY1N01IQ3ZXSi1Jd1dvMVkxc19OR0t4cE1sR1lIQUpIZndrTWFtZTd1dzVlYUs4clh2a3cxbzNPNEJKbV9ia1FiVHhfQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frivchurch.com%2F&v=W_rwoS5Yf4o]