Collective Church Podcast

From the series "Peculiar". 1 John 3:16-18; 2 Corinthians 8:9 Pastor Ryan Smith continues in "Peculiar: The People of God & the Ethics of Easter" by looking at the radical charity and generosity of the early church, its basis in the heart of the Gospel, and practical steps for recapturing this distinctive. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Peculiar". Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-28 Pastor Ryan Smith continues in our latest series, "Peculiar: The People of God & the Ethics of Easter" by examining the diversity of the early Church. In a world which categorized and divided people into varying layers of value and privilege, the diversity and unity of Christians shook the world so much so that they were described as "anti-social atheists". Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Peculiar". 1 Peter 2:9-12; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 28:16-20 Pastor Ryan Smith begins our new series, "Peculiar: The People of God and the Ethics of Easter." How can Christians not just survive, but thrive in a world that views them as stupid, irrelevant, and dangerous all at the same time? Is the Church and our church destined to a sort of subsistence-spirituality at best or is it possible there is a way forward? To find our way forward, we need to look back. The early church thrived and embarked in a communal mission shaped by the empty tomb of Easter. Sermon Notes Here

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

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

From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 9:1-11:6 Sermon Notes Here

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

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

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

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