Collective Church Podcast

From the series "How to Read the Bible". Matthew 7:24-27, James 1:22–25, 2 Timothy 3:15-17 As we close out the series, "How to Read the Bible: Navigating the Library of Scripture" Pastor Ryan Smith offers a reflection on the Bible as Jesus' provided means of spiritual formation in the way of Wisdom and the practice of memorizing Scripture. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "How to Read the Bible". Psalm 1 For followers of Jesus, we believe that the Bible is not simply a source of information about God but communion with him. Pastor Ryan Smith continues in our Fall Series, "How to Read the Bible" by looking at Psalm 1, the prayerful meditation of Scripture, and the ancient practice of Lectio Divina.

From the series "How to Read the Bible". Psalm 104 Pastor Ryan Smith continues our Fall Series, "How to Read the Bible: Navigating the Library of Scripture" by looking at how to read the Bible as ancient literature. The Bible wasn't written in a cultural vacuum and so we need to take steps to read the Bible in light of the shaping languages and cultures that went into its authorship if we are to understand how to apply it to our Angeleno context. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "How to Read the Bible". Exodus 17:14, Exodus 24:3-4, 1 Timothy 4:13 How are we to receive and read the Scripture? For many raised in the American church we imagine bible-reading to predominantly be something we do alone and apart from others. Guest preacher Pastor Ryan MacDonald guides us into the Bible's communal nature – that is, the Bible was written and designed to be read and studied within a community that is learning to live by its story.

From the series "How to Read the Bible". Luke 24:44-47 Who is the Bible about? As we continue in "How to Read the Bible," Pastor Ryan Smith teaches on how the story of the Bible and all of its main themes come to their fulfillment in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and the gift of the Spirit. Once we understand Jesus' own way of reading the Bible for ourselves, every story, psalm, page will take us deeper into the person and work of Jesus. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "How to Read the Bible" with Pastor Ryan Smith. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 Sermon Notes Here

From the series "How to Read the Bible". 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:20–21, 1 Corinthians 2:12–13 As we move into our second week in "How to Read the Bible", Pastor Ryan Smith teaches on the authorship of the Bible as inspired, both a human and divine word. If the Bible is a human word, what does this mean for its authenticity? And if the Bible is a Divine word, what does that mean for its authority in our lives? Sermon Notes Here

From the series "How to Read the Bible". Matthew 4:1-11 Pastor Ryan Smith begins our Fall Series, "How to Read the Bible: Navigating the Library of Scripture." Central to learning how to read the Bible is understanding what this "book" is to begin with. Looking at Matthew 4:1-11, we study Jesus' paradigm for reading Scripture as the library of ancient writings, both divine and human, that tell a unified story, leading us to Jesus and forming us as his people. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 4:9-22 To conclude our series, "Endure", Pastor and Professor Gerry Breshears looks at the closing words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:9-22 and his final example for a life of endurance.

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 4:1-5 As Paul continues to guide Timothy in the Way of Endurance, Pastor Ryan Smith looks at 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and the importance of sound teaching in the enduring life of the Church. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 4:6-8 As Paul looks back on his life, he invites Timothy and us to look forward at ours as the fourth way of endurance. Pastor Isaac Brickner looks into 2 Timothy 4:6-8 and the invitation to reverse-engineer our lives.

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Turning into the final movement of Paul's second letter to Timothy, the Apostle begins to provide practical instructions for constructing a life of endurance. As Pastor Ryan Smith unpacks 2 Timothy 3:10-17, we find the strength for endurance which comes as we remember those who have faithfully gone before us and receive the Scriptures as God's formational tool for our endurance. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 3:1-9 When we consider the greatest obstacles to an enduring faith, our propensity is to list out genuine but largely external barriers. However, in 2 Timothy 3:1-9 Pastor Ryan Smith looks at Paul's warning to Timothy of the great obstacles which arise from within our hearts and church community. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 2:14-26 As we continue in our series, "Endure," Pastor Ryan Smith looks at 2 Timothy 2:14-26 and the obstacles to our endurance. In this passage, Paul details a particular false teaching present in Ephesus which provides us with an opportunity to consider our own perception of Jesus and the Gospel. Are we enduring in right belief – orthodoxy? Or have we swerved from the truth?

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 2:8-13

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 2:1-7 Pastor Ryan Smith continues in our summer series, "Endure" by looking at 2 Timothy 2:1-7 and the purpose, pattern, and power of both faithful pastors and faithful church communities.

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 1:8-18 Pastor Isaac Brickner continues our summer series, "Endure: The Letter of 2 Timothy." How can we be sure that all the challenges we endure as followers of Jesus are meaningful? Paul offers his young protege Timothy a paradigm shift for understanding suffering so he won't give up even as everyone around him seems to be.

From the series "Endure". 2 Timothy 1:1-7 Guest Pastor Mike Portland from Reality LA joins us as we kick off our summer series: "Endure: The Letter of 2 Timothy." In the opening of the Apostle Paul's final letter, we find both an invitation and instruction in the way of a resilient faith.

From the series "Peculiar". 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 Pastor Ryan Smith closes out our "Peculiar" series on the six distinctives of the early Church looking at 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 and the peculiar way of Resilient Hope. Despite suffering and struggles the earliest Christians had a hope which weathered it all. As we live our lives in an increasingly chaotic and chaotic age, how can we recapture this final distinctive? Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Peculiar". 1 Corinthians 6:12-7:9 As we continue in our "Peculiar" series on the six distinctives of the early church, Pastor Ryan Smith teaches on 1 Corinthians 6:12–7:9 and the Sexual Revolution the first Christians led. In an age like ours that believed sex and our bodies were about rights, appetites, and were insignificant, the Ethics of Easter brought a declaration of the cosmic significance of each person's body and every disciple's sexuality. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Peculiar". Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 139:13-17, Proverbs 31:8-9 Pastor Ryan Smith continues in our latest series, "Peculiar: The People of God & the Ethics of Easter" by examining the early church's practical and holistic commitment to the sanctity of life. Though this took a myriad of forms – they were most known for their response to abortion, infanticide, and exposure. In a cultural moment where this issue is the center of attention, how can we think Christianly about the issues and embody a culture of life? Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Peculiar". Romans 12:14–21, Romans 5:6-11, 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 As we continue in our "Peculiar" series recapturing the distinctives of the early Church, Pastor Ryan Smith examines what Romans called "obstinate foolishness." Though Christians were often excluded, criticized, persecuted, and even killed, they taught forgiveness, withheld retaliation, and loved their enemies. In this teaching we investigate this enemy-love, where it came from, and how we can carry it out today. Sermon Notes Here

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

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

From the series "Smoke & Mirrors". Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26 Sermon Notes Here

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

From the series "Blessed". Numbers 6:22-27; Ephesians 2:11-22 Pastor Isaac Brickner closes out "Blessed" our series in the Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6:22-27, looking at the final pillar of the blessed life: receiving and making peace. When you think of peace, what sort of images come to mind? Most likely it's the absence or acceptance of conflict and chaos. In the Bible, peace is a larger idea the includes the presence of something greater, something God has made for us and now makes through us.

From the series "Blessed". Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 4 As we continue in our "Blessed" series in the Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6:22-27, Pastor Ryan Smith teaches on the blessing of God "lifting up his countenance upon you." What in the world does that even mean?! And in our age of digital distraction, could undivided attention be one of the greatest gifts we could receive from God and give to others? Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Blessed". Numbers 6:22-27; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 1:7; Exodus 34:6-7 Pastor & Professor Dr. Gerry Breshears from Grace Community Church & Western Seminary in Portland joins us for a look at the grace of God as we continue in our "Blessed" series.

From the series "Blessed". Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 80; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 4:6 Pastor Ryan Smith continues our series, "Blessed" in the Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6:22-27. If you were to picture Jesus looking at you, what face would he be making? Disappointment? Anger? Apathy? In the third pillar of the blessed life, we are invited to contemplate the shining or smiling face of God. What would it mean for us live out of God's acceptance and delight? And how do we get the assurance that he feels that way about it?

From the series "Blessed". Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 121 Pastor Ryan Smith looks at what it means for God to "keep us" in the Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6:22-27. As we enter into the uncertainty of a new year, what confidence does God's keeping bring? Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Blessed". Numbers 6:22-27 Pastor Isaac opens our new series on the Priestly blessing looking at what it means to be blessed and to be a blessing to others.

From the series "The Songs of Christmas". Luke 2:21-38 Most Christmas nativities and pictures include all the major players: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and the wise men, but not a whole lot about Simeon and Anna. Pastor Ryan walks us through their part of the story here in the final talk in our Christmas series. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "The Songs of Christmas". Luke 2:1-29 Pastor Ryan Smith continues in our "Songs of Christmas" series as we consider the Angels' song in Luke 2:1-29. What is this peace proclaimed by the heavenly host, who is it for, and how do we find it? Sermon Notes Here

From the series "The Songs of Christmas". Luke 1:57-80 Pastor Isaac Brickner continues our "Songs of Christmas" series by looking at the song of John the Baptist's father in Luke 1:57-80. In the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, we're able to see ourselves and our struggle with hopelessness, and in Zechariah's song: the source of hope for our lives and the difference hope makes.

From the series "The Songs of Christmas". Luke 1:26-56 This week we kick off our next series, Songs of Christmas as we look to opening chapters of Luke's Gospel. Pastor Ryan Smith looks at Mary's Song in Luke 1:26-56 and the joy found in God's Gracious Reversal of our present world order through the birth of Jesus. This song challenges our assumptions of who Mary was and what what Christmas is all about. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Wisdom's Way". Proverbs 13:20, 18:21, 16:24, 27:5–6, 9, 17 As we close out our fall series in the book of Proverbs, Pastor Ryan Smith looks at Proverbs 13:20, 18:21, 16:24, 27:5–6, 9, 17 as both a continuation of the previous week's teaching on Wisdom's Way with Words, but also as a fitting conclusion for those of us wondering, "How do we continue on Wisdom's Way?" Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Wisdom's Way" with Pastor Isaac Brickner. Proverbs 12:13-23, 18:2-21; James 3:1-12

From the series "Wisdom's Way". Proverbs 11:24-28, 30:7-9 Few things in our lives seemingly have as much impact and get as much of our attention as our wealth, but what is Wisdom's Way with our money? As we continue in our series in Proverbs, Pastor Ryan Smith shows us how our wealth gives away our way as we look at Proverbs 11:24-28; 30:7-9. Sermon Notes Here

From the series "Wisdom's Way". Proverbs 18:9, 21:25-26, 23:4, 24:30-34 How does our work matter to God and how does God matter to our work? Pastor Lorenzo looks at three foolish ways we relate to our work and redirects us to wisdom’s better way.

From the series "Wisdom's Way". Proverbs 23:29-35, 31:4-9 What is Wisdom's Way with Wine? As we continue in our series in Proverbs, Pastor Ryan Smith looks at foolishness and wisdom in relation to wine (and alcohol) by looking at Proverbs 23:29–35, 31:4–9 Sermon Notes Here