Started Fighting the Wrong War

Started Fighting the Wrong War

This week, Alex and Noel unpack James 4:1-7 and explain why the passage is aimed at conflicts within the church, not the culture outside it. The conversation explores how pride, selfish ambition, and misplaced priorities can undermine the church’s witness, why God’s grace sometimes feels like resistance, and how prayer reveals what kingdom we’re really pursuing. They also discuss repentance as a realignment of allegiance, the surprising encouragement that comes from years of faithful community, and why the Holy Spirit often works in ways the preacher never expects. Listen to Noel's message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-resistance-noel-heikkinen/id73802582?i=1000776656039] 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]) 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]

We Gotta Talk About Demons

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 didn’t make the sermon, including demonization, the tension between grace and transformation, what it means to cultivate peace, and why Christians should think of themselves as citizens of heaven first. 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]) 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]

Flippancy and Thoughtfulness

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 practical ways to let Scripture shape our speech, why context matters when choosing our words, and how Christians can speak truth with both courage and gentleness. Listen to Noel's message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bits-rudders-and-sparks-noel-heikkinen/id73802582?i=1000774723011] 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]) 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]

You Are a Senseless Person

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 perfection. The conversation also explores community, sanctification, rewards, and why James challenges believers to live in a way that reflects what they claim to believe. Along the way, they dive into Rahab and Abraham, Luther’s struggle with the book of James, and the practical implications of faith that is alive and active. Listen to Hezekiah's message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-fruits-hezekiah-trevino/id73802582?i=1000773748953] Listen to James' message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-together-james-granger/id73802582?i=1000773748951] Listen to Tony's message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/active-together-tony-pyle/id73802582?i=1000773748952] 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]) 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]

We Want to be the Favored Ones

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. The conversation also gets practical, examining what it looks like to create a culture where everyone is noticed, welcomed, and treated with dignity. Finally, Noel shares stories from Cedar Point, church life, and the surprising challenges of living out James’ teaching. Listen to Noel's message [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-royal-law-noel-heikkinen/id73802582?i=1000772964344] 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]) 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]