Breakthrough Breakdown: Recent Episodes
Zion Clear Lake
Welcome to the Breakthrough Breakdown, in this podcast we discuss the topics of our weekly sermons, delve deep into the subject matter being taught during the week, and even have some fun. Each week we bring on new members of our staff, and sometimes even have special guests arrive to talk deep about our faith and learning through Jesus Christ.
Everybody's busy. Nobody's resting. And the advice to "find more balance" or "create more margin" isn't actually helping.
Jason and Jadan get into why balance is an illusion, why margin is a trap we define for ourselves, and why rhythm is the word the Bible actually points to. They also get honest about why church is often the first thing people cut when life gets full — and what that's actually costing them.
The goal of rest isn't to recover from work. It's to fuel it.
Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@zionclearlake.org
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TOP 5 TOPICS / KEYWORDS
- Christian rest and burnout
- biblical rhythm and Sabbath
- why balance is a myth
- how to rest as a Christian
- busyness and faith
Most people afraid of missing God's will are asking the wrong question — and it's keeping them paralyzed.
Jason and Jadan get into why God's will is a lot bigger than most Christians think, what Jesus actually said it boils down to, and why "I don't have peace about it" doesn't always mean what we think it does. Plus — why wisdom and community matter more than waiting for a sign.
Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@zionclearlake.org
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A lot of people are out here searching for their calling when what they actually want is their purpose. Those aren't the same thing — and mixing them up is where a lot of anxiety starts.
Jason and Jadan break down the difference between purpose and calling, why your calling is seasonal but your purpose isn't, and what happens when people tie their identity so tightly to a calling that losing it feels like losing everything. They also get into why overspiritalizing calling keeps people stuck — and why sometimes God's answer is just take a step.
Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@zionclearlake.org
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TOP 5 TOPICS / KEYWORDS
- difference between purpose and calling
- how to find your calling
- Christian purpose and fulfillment
- what does God call us to do
- identity and calling in the Bible
You can know every Bible verse, win every theological argument, and still not actually know God. That's not a hot take — it's the whole point.
Jason and Jadan dig into one of the most important distinctions in the Christian life: the difference between knowledge of God and knowing God. They get into why seminary can kill your love for Jesus, what it means to participate with scripture instead of just read it, and why community isn't optional if you want to actually grow.
Honest, a little uncomfortable, and worth the listen.
Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@zionclearlake.org
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TOP 5 TOPICS / KEYWORDS
- knowing God vs knowing about God
- how to grow closer to God
- knowledge of God and spiritual formation
- why Bible knowledge isn't enough
- AW Tozer pursuit of God
What if the gym and the church have more in common than you think?
Jason and Jadan sit down with Derek Salzo (Kirn Built Fitness) and Calvin Becker (Flow Institute Mason City) — two guys who love Jesus and have built communities around CrossFit and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. They get into their faith journeys, what it means to meet people where they are, why showing up consistently changes everything, and what the church could learn from the gym floor.
Turns out servant leadership, belonging, and making people feel seen look pretty much the same whether you're rolling on a mat or sitting in a pew.
Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@zionclearlake.org
Like us on socials!
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TOP 5 TOPICS / KEYWORDS
- faith and fitness
- Christian community and belonging
- what church can learn from the gym
- servant leadership and discipleship
- showing up consistency and spiritual growth
"Bear with one another" sounds simple. It's not.
Jason and Jadan dig into what Paul actually meant in Galatians 6 — and why "bearing with one another" gets misread as an excuse to tolerate anything and call it grace. They talk through where patience ends and enabling begins, why boundaries and love aren't opposites, and what it actually looks like to carry someone's burden without losing the gospel in the process.
Patient doesn't mean passive. Loving doesn't mean permissive. Truthful doesn't mean harsh.
Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@zionclearlake.org
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"No regrets" sounds like a faith statement. Jason's not so sure it's a biblical one.
Jason and Jadan dig into 2 Corinthians 7:10 and ask whether Christians are actually supposed to live regret-free, or whether regret can be a tool God uses to teach and transform. They get into the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow, why shame and regret aren't the same thing, and how looking back can actually move you forward instead of keeping you stuck.
Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@zionclearlake.org
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Watch Pastor Kaleb Hurley's message at https://zionlutheranchurch-iowa.subspla.sh/4fvcwmx
To connect, email podcast@zionclearlake.org
Mission work and discipleship with Regan Crawford, Communications Director and Terry Baxter, Co-Founder of GoServ Global.
https://goservglobal.org/
To connect, email podcast@zionclearlake.org
Mission work and discipleship with Regan Crawford, Communications Director and Terry Baxter, Co-Founder of GoServ Global.
https://goservglobal.org/
To connect, email podcast@zionclearlake.org
View related sermon at https://subsplash.com/zionlutheranchurch-iowa/recent-sermons/mi/+wbqvdqc
View related sermon at https://subsplash.com/zionlutheranchurch-iowa/recent-sermons/mi/+47svydx
This episode contains some language that may offend. Listener/viewer discretion is advised.
View related sermon at https://subsplash.com/zionlutheranchurch-iowa/recent-sermons/mi/+hqw58sq
This episode contains some talk about physical relationships. Listener/viewer discretion is advised.
View related sermon at https://subsplash.com/zionlutheranchurch-iowa/recent-sermons/mi/+wprfn98
Our host Jason is out of town on sebatical, so co-host Jadan is bringing you a special episode to practice what we've been preaching.
If you'd like a deeper look into this topic, check out the related sermons.
Jason and Jadan dive deep into what worship/praise looks like, why it matters and what it looks like to Worship Like it Matters.
If you'd like a deeper look into this topic, check out the related sermon.
Jason and Jadan dive deep into what prayer looks like, why it matters and what it looks like to Pray Like it Matters.
If you'd like a deeper look into this topic, check out the related sermon.
Holly Ruter, LISW joins Pastor Jason for part 2 of a discussion on mental health and Christianity.
Holly Ruter, LISW joins Pastor Jason for part 1 of a discussion on mental health and Christianity.
DISCLAIMER: Today's episode has discussion about the current conflict in Israel and Gaza as well as mental health - listener discretion is advised.
Let's not shy away from these conversations. We're not going to always agree, and that's ok. We can agree on the gospel and Jesus.
If you are struggling with mental health issues, know that you aren't alone. Know that the people of the Bible aren't happy, shiny people - they struggled as well!
Do you have the mind of self, or do you have the mind of Christ?
Link to article referenced: https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/324662-are-you-using-your-calling-to-hide-narcissism.html/2?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
PRAYER
Father, Thank you for this morning. For this moment and for this Church.
Holy Spirit, Where my heart is hard, soften it! Where it is cold, light it on fire. Where I am tired and weak, restore me.
I want to hear from your Word for you have the words of life! Help me to love you, to love other and to love myself like Jesus! I want your Word to come alive in me and your Spirit to empower me.
In the awesome name of Jesus, Amen!Heavenly Father, Thank you for this morning! Thank you for the gift of your Word.
Holy Spirit, Help me hear what you have for me. Reveal where I am not trusting. Help me to love your Word. Help me to live in Your power, presence & purpose, Spirit.
In Jesus’ Awesome name, Amen!
KEY SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 2:19-22
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank you for this morning! Thank you for the gift of your Word.
Holy Spirit, Help me hear what you have for me. Reveal where I am not trusting. Help me to love your Word. Help me to live in Your power, presence & purpose, Spirit.
In Jesus’ Awesome name, Amen!
KEY SCRIPTURE
John 6:33
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Thessalonians 2:13
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
PRAYER
Father God, What do you have for me today?
Holy Spirit,
Remove the things that are distracting me. I want more of you, God. WE want
more of you, God. I give you access my heart, to my thoughts, to my memories,
to my motivations.
Jesus, You have begun the renewal of all things. I trust you with renewing me today. Show me
what it means to live in the Kingdom authority you’ve given me. May your name be glorified.
Amen!
KEY SCRIPTURE
Hebrew 11:32-33
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised.
"Faith isn’t blind. Faith means that you although you may not be able to see it, God can. Faith doesn’t mean you can’t have questions. Faith means that although you might not know the answers, God does. Faith is all about relationship and Kingdom authority is all about that relationship. Faith activates authority."
- Jennifer Colby
In order to be loved by God, you must be vulnerable with God! You must confess your need for God! You must confess your sin and that you’ve hidden from God behind good deeds, or your own wisdom and power!
God’s Promises and Blessings are only given to those who have placed their hope and trust in Jesus and that includes our prayers. God doesn’t promise to hear or listen to the prayers of those who are not His in Christ. It doesn’t mean he never will; it means he doesn’t make a promise to hear or listen to the non-Christian.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 13:1-2
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Matthew 6:9-13
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Luke 22:24
And Jesus prayed…
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
"Sometimes provision doesn’t come until we are in heaven, but if your faith is not in Jesus, where then is your hope? Does the hope in your other source satisfy even unto death? Don’t be a Solomon that turns away from God and looks to other things that will never satisfy. Learn to be like Elijah who had a simple faith, simple trust, and simple obedience and understanding that God uses his own resources to provide for you." - Megan Dennis
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:25-33
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
SCRIPTURE
John 15:4-5
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Mark 8:33
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The world tells us to rest from our work, but God tells us to work from our rest! Sabbath rest is found in God, in Worshipping Jesus, in Christian community where we learn to encourage, delight, laugh and be the hands, feet, eyes, ears and words of Jesus to each other and with each other. Repent of STRIVING and confess and to God your tendency to either resist, fear or redefine rest.
Weekly Prayer
Father,
In Jesus’ name, I reject the lies of the Devil. I confess that I placed my hope, trust and freedom in the wrong things. So, Holy Spirit Come! Come and move in me. Move in my heart to love Jesus even more. Reveal in me striving, uncover what has been hidden. Help me come out of hiding. Calm the worry and the busyness of my mind and my heart.
Show me your glory and power. Help me to rest in the power and presence of King Jesus!
In your powerful name Jesus, Amen!
Key Scripture
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message Translation)
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Because of Jesus, you have been rescued from sin and death. Jesus set you free from the shame and guilt of sin, but more importantly from the power and reign of sin! Only Christian’s are truly free to not choose sin! Real Christian freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want, but the ability to not be controlled, driven, mastered by every desire, impulse and sin that wants me.
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Peter 2:16
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
Our struggle is believing in God’s promises. It is resisting the lies of the Devil who works overtime to try and get you to strive! It’s not uncommon for people to not understand what the authors of the Bible mean by the word HOPE! Tune in to learn more.
Psalm 147:11
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
1 Thessalonians 5:8
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.Ephesians 1:4
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
Join us as we kick off a new series titled "You've Already Got It." Everything we believe about God, about faith in Jesus and about being a Christian is pointless without God’s Promises!
KEY SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 1:3-4
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
Flee from sin, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
God created you for a specific purpose in mind and your purpose is separate from your calling. God created each of you with the purpose to serve Him but where that service happens is a matter of calling.
The Purpose Driven Life Sermon Series: http://zionclearlake.org/media/series/dfqwmt5/the-purpose-driven-life
5/21/23 Sermon Notes: http://zionclearlake.org/5/21/23
God created each of you with the purpose to serve Him but where that service happens is a matter of calling!
What does it mean to become like Christ? Pastor Jason Miller & Executive Director Megan Dennis dive deeper into what this looks like.
Purpose Driven Life Sermon Series: http://zionclearlake.org/media/series/dfqwmt5/the-purpose-driven-life
5/14/23 Sermon Notes: http://zionclearlake.org/5/14/23
Part of Becoming Like Jesus is understanding the difference between pain that helps you grow and needless pain that causes unhealthy wounds. Listen for more:
Past Sermons: http://zionclearlake.org/media/series/dfqwmt5/the-purpose-driven-life
5/14/23 Sermon Notes: http://zionclearlake.org/5/14/23
What does it mean to be created for a church family? We know family is messy and that's part of the beauty. Mike Bradley and Pastor Jason Miller dive into this on today's episode.
Sermon Series: http://zionclearlake.org/media/series/dfqwmt5/the-purpose-driven-life
Sermon Notes: http://zionclearlake.org/5/7/23
God purposely chose the natural family you were born into but He also wants you to be a part of a supernatural family – which is the Church! It’s our Faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us that makes us a Spiritual Family! God created you in such a way that the power of the Holy Spirit comes alive, is fueled, is strengthened and is lived out through the Church Family!
John 1:10-13
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
Galatians 3:27-29
27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Tune in for this week's podcast! What is the connection between worship & jealous? What about the difference between jealously and coveting? Listen to find out!
The extension of knowing and loving God means your purpose must be to love and worship Him. When your worship, your affection and love is directed at something other than himself – He becomes jealous! When you become or became a Christian you entered in to a New Covenant, a committed relationship, with Christ!
God created everyone uniquely, yet we are all human. We have the purpose of serving Him, brining glory to Him, worshipping Him and honoring Him, but because we are different, it always looks different.
Tune in for this this week's podcast as we kick off the series The Purpose Driven Life.
Sermons: http://zionclearlake.org/media/series/dfqwmt5/the-purpose-driven-life
4/23/23 Sermon Notes: http://zionclearlake.org/4/23/23
If you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus, you have a promised blessing that is not conditioned upon your faithfulness but God’s! If you’ve confessed Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you can walk in assurance of God’s promised blessing of eternal life, even when you are rebellious and make sinful decisions.
Your calling will often connect to your purpose, but your purpose is not determined by or dependent on your calling. God’s Purpose for your life overrules any of man’s expectations and limitations but you have to discover and move into that purpose!
Easter shows God’s power and purpose through Jesus life, death & resurrection but it also shows you the power and purpose available to your life! The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives and empowers you. That Spirit connects us to the very mind and heart of Christ! Easter is meant to be lived out in everyday moments of every day of our lives in our everyday relationships! God wants Easter to give you Purpose and Power for your life now!
Every time we sin and pull away from God, we are establishing our own walls in our fortress. We are planting our flag that this is our Kingdom. But here's the thing, there can only be one king in the Kingdom of God. We cannot be in God's Kingdom and continue to wear our crown.
Jesus never promised to make you rich, or famous, or that you can be good enough for eternal life! Instead, He invites you to surrender, trust, to lay down your life - to pick up your cross and die! God promises that if you trust Him, with your life, with your time, talent and treasure, with your identity, His Generosity will overflow in your life!
Pastor Jason brings the message of being with God in the secret place. We can search for God in the places we feel closest to him, sometimes in the unexpected places. For the full sermon notes head to http://zionclearlake.org/3-19-23
God often chooses to move in extraordinary ways through absolutely ordinary moments. Any movement is God’s presence manifesting itself in a different way! When we experience God’s nearness, we experience God’s kindness. God is NEAR! What does that mean? Tune in to hear Pastor Jason and find out!
Soli Deo Gloria means "to God alone be the glory!" We give everything to God and do everything for his glory. He alone is worthy of our worship. For the full sermon notes go to: http://zionclearlake.org/2-5-23
Sola Fide means faith alone. Your faith must be in something, and in the case of the Christian it is in Jesus. We place our faith in the grace of God because of what Jesus did for us – He has saved us and made us right with God! The very faith you have is a Grace Gift from God. For the entire sermon notes, tap here: http://zionclearlake.org/1-29-23
Sola Gratia, Grace Alone, helps us see God’s grace for what it truly is – unmerited favor! Human nature doesn’t like grace because somewhere along the way we think we can earn it, we can do it. If we could buy our salvation or forgiveness, most of us would probably try and do it! When the reality of God’s grace alone works its way not just into hearts and minds but onto our lips and into our worship, it leaves us humbled by God’s incredible love for us. For entire sermon notes, tap here: http://zionclearlake.org/1-22-23
We believe you have direct access to God because of Jesus. You don’t need a priest, or a pastor. You need faith in Christ and a community to confess to. Solas Christus reminds us that we are not Christian because of something we do but because of something done for and to us. Jesus Alone has saved us. We do not have to fear or feel insecure about what happens after we die because we have placed our hope and trust in Christ alone! For entire sermon notes, tap here: http://zionclearlake.org/1-15-23
Join us as we dive into the 5 SOLAS. Today we discuss Sola Scriptura. Here’s what Sola Scriptura means for you and for me: we must make the Bible part of our life not because it is God but because it is the gift God gave us to understand Himself. For entire sermon notes, tap here: http://zionclearlake.org/1-8-23