
Collective Church Podcast
This audio podcast features talks given at Collective Church, a church on LA’s Westside. We are a community following Jesus and seeking to reach, teach, and equip others to do the same. Our desire is to become a healthy and multiplying expression of Christ’s church in each of the 23 neighborhoods that make up the Westside of Los Angeles. Visit us online at www.collectivechurch.com.
Latest episodes

Apr 17, 2022 • 40min
Easter Sunday 2022
Reflecting on John 20:1-18, Pastor Ryan Smith investigates what it means to begin to realize the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Notes Here

Apr 10, 2022 • 51min
Reconstructing Life in Los Angeles
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14
Pastor Ryan Smith closes out our spring series, "Smoke & Mirrors: Deconstructing Los Angeles with the Book of Ecclesiastes." What is the good life in the land of smoke and mirrors?
Sermon Notes Here

Apr 3, 2022 • 47min
Death is Certain (Life is Not)
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 9:1-11:6
Sermon Notes Here

Mar 27, 2022 • 56min
Smoke & Mirror Worship
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, 8:2-17
As we continue in the book of Ecclesiastes, the Deconstructor shifts his attention to our relationship to God. Over our series so far, we've looked at the foolishness in believing humans can control time and tame nature. Pastor Ryan Smith unpacks the similar foolishness in believing we can control God and the proper posture for those who come before him as their Creator and King.
Sermon Notes Here

Mar 20, 2022 • 52min
Better, But Broken
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 6:10-8:1
As we move into the back half of the book of Ecclesiastes, we begin to examine how we should live in a world and city where "all is vanity." Pastor Ryan Smith looks at the Deconstructor's offering of wisdom as the better way of life before ultimately finding that wisdom too is vanity, smoke and mirrors. The world is too chaotic, wisdom is too elusive, and the human heart too foolish. What are humans to do when the best we can find might be better, but still broken?
Sermon Notes Here

Mar 13, 2022 • 1h
More is Less
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:9
Pastor Ryan Smith continues in our Spring series, "Smoke & Mirrors: Deconstructing Los Angeles with the Book of Ecclesiastes." At the middle of the book we find the Deconstructor's darkest and sharpest words in relationship to wealth, money, and possessions. In a city shaped by consumerism and materialism, we must come to terms with their vanity if we are to find the "good and fitting" life which lives in response to the generosity of God.
Sermon Notes Here

Mar 7, 2022 • 42min
LA is a Jungle
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16
Pastor Ryan Smith continues our series, "Smoke & Mirrors: Deconstructing Los Angeles with the Book of Ecclesiastes" looking at the brutality and loneliness of the jungle that is Los Angeles. Where do these things come from and where is the better life found?
Sermon Notes Here

Feb 27, 2022 • 41min
The Tyranny of Time
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
The Deconstructor examines how time is not a resource we possess to spend, save, or waste. Time is a current and we have no control over its turns. In light of this, we need to humble ourselves and receive each season as it comes and trust that the end of time is moving toward resurrection.
Sermon Notes Here

Feb 20, 2022 • 43min
Chasing After Wind
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26
Sermon Notes Here

Feb 13, 2022 • 48min
In the Land of Smoke & Mirrors
From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Pastor Ryan Smith begins our next series, Smoke & Mirrors: Deconstructing Los Angeles with the Book of Ecclesiastes. Los Angeles is a city where nothing is lasting, significant or satisfying. Rather, it's all "smoke and mirrors." How can we find a life of substance in our lives "under the sun?"
Sermon Notes Here