Zion • Clear Lake Podcast

God’s kindness is real. But receiving it while refusing to change is its own kind of rejection. Romans 2 hits different when you realize it’s talking about you.

When good things become ultimate things, everything starts to fall apart. Romans 1 shows what we're really exchanging — and the Gospel that can restore it.

What if you've been believing a gospel too small to transform you? Romans unpacks the Good News that has the power to heal, restore, and make you new.

When words fail and prayer feels empty, the Holy Spirit doesn’t. Learn how to pray with the Bible as your guide — even in your hardest moments.

If prayer feels like it's going nowhere, you're not alone. There's a reason some prayers move mountains — and it's not about being good enough.

In Week 4 of our Knock series, Pastor Derek Crawford shifts our focus from the "how" of prayer to the "why." Using the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus, we explore why prayer is essential for our spiritual life and how it serves as the ultimate catalyst for unity in the Church.In this message, we unpack:• The Necessity of Prayer: Understanding that prayer isn't just a religious duty, but a vital requirement for the health and formation of every believer.• Jesus’ Prayer for Unity: A deep dive into John 17 and why Jesus’ primary request for all future believers was that we would be brought to complete unity.• Intercessory Rhythm: How to transition from personal petitions to praying for our families, our neighbors, and the global Church.• A Model of Love: Looking at the relationship between the Father and the Son as the blueprint for how we are called to love and support one another through prayer.• Standing in the Gap: The practical call to stand in the gap for others, even when we don't have all the details, trusting that God is already at work.Prayer is the tool God uses to bring us together on a shared mission. When we pray for "all the Lord’s people," we reflect the heart of Jesus to a world that is watching.

What do you do when your heart is so heavy that words won't come? In Week 3 of our series Knock, Pastor Jason introduces us to "Travailing Prayer"—a type of prayer that isn't found in a textbook but is born in the depths of our most significant burdens.Using the powerful story of Hannah in 1 Samuel and the "wordless groans" mentioned in Romans 8, this message explores how God uses our seasons of weeping and "spiritual labor" to give birth to something new in our lives and in the world.In this message, we unpack:• Defining Travail: Understanding prayer as a form of "spiritual labor" where we partner with God to bring His Kingdom to earth through our deepest desires.• The Story of Hannah: How a woman’s "bitterness of soul" and silent, moving lips led to a breakthrough that changed the course of a nation.• Misunderstood by the World: Why travailing prayer often looks like "drunkenness" or foolishness to those standing on the outside, and why God values your tears more than your eloquence.• The Role of the Holy Spirit: A deeper look at Romans 8:26—how the Spirit groans for us when we are too exhausted to speak.• From Burden to Birth: Learning to distinguish between worldly sorrow and a "divine burden" that God wants to use for a greater purpose.The enemy wants to turn your pain into bitterness. But through travailing prayer, God turns your pain into a portal for His power. If you are in a season of "spiritual labor," don't give up—God is doing something in the wait.Join the Practice: We invite you to continue using our Prayer Walls in the lobby. If you have a burden that feels too heavy to carry, write it down and let this church family "travail" alongside you in prayer.

Welcome to Week 1 of our new series, Knock. Over the next six weeks, we are exploring the practice, the power, and the struggle of prayer. We’re launching this journey by looking at the primary helper Jesus left for us: the Holy Spirit.Pastor Jason dives into Ephesians 6:18 and Romans 8 to answer the questions many of us struggle with: What does it actually mean to "pray in the Spirit"? And how do we pray when we completely run out of words?In this series premiere, we unpack:• The Spirit as Intercessor: Discover how the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, stepping in to groan on our behalf when we don't know what to say.• Beyond the Routine: Moving past "vending machine" prayers and religious performance into a deep, spirit-to-spirit connection with the Father.• Prevailing Prayer: Why prayer isn't about being loud or "spiritual" enough, but about a surrendered persistence that refuses to give up ground to the enemy.• A Personal Lifeline: Pastor Jason shares a vulnerable story about a season of "darkness and fog" where praying in the Spirit became the only thing that sustained him.• The Invitation to Knock: Understanding Jesus' promise in Matthew 7—that when we Ask, Seek, and Knock, the Father is eager to answer.The enemy wins when he keeps us silent and self-reliant. Victory begins when we stop trying to fight in our own strength and start "knocking" on the door of the Father.Join the Journey: Our prayer walls are now open in the lobby. We invite you to write your requests on a card and hang them up so our community can carry these burdens together.

We have reached the end of our journey through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In this series finale of Battlegrounds, Pastor Jason brings us to the famous "Armor of God" passage in Ephesians 6:10-20.Throughout this series, we’ve learned that spiritual warfare isn't about looking for a fight; it’s about standing firm on the ground Jesus has already won. As we wrap up, we discover that the armor Paul describes isn't just a metaphor—it is a lifestyle of prayer that allows us to resist the "day of evil" and stay unified in a divided world.In this series finale, we unpack:• The Goal of the Armor: Why the command isn't to "attack," but to "stand firm" and "hold your ground" against the schemes of the enemy.• Messianic Origins: Discover how the Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness are actually the "clothes" of the Messiah, given to us so we can reflect His character.• The Sword of the Spirit: Why the Word of God is our only offensive weapon and how Jesus modeled its use to defeat temptation.• Prayer as the Glue: Moving from "praying for armor" to realize that prayer is the battleground. Paul concludes by urging us to pray "on all occasions" with all kinds of requests.• The "Y'all" Conclusion: Why we cannot stand alone. The armor is for the Body of Christ to wear together as we represent a "different kind of King" to the world.We’ve traveled from the "Heavenly Realms" in Chapter 1 to the "Battleground" of Chapter 6. The mystery has been revealed, the wall has been torn down, and the armor has been given. Now, it’s time to walk in the victory of the Resurrection.What’s Next? Join us next week as we launch our new series, Knock, where we will spend six weeks learning how to "ask, seek, and knock" through the practice of prayer.

What if "submission" isn't about power or control, but about a radical, selfless love that puts others first? In Week 12 of our Battlegrounds series, Megan Dennis explores one of the most counter-cultural sections of Paul’s letter: Ephesians 5:21–6:9.Recorded on Palm Sunday, this message connects the "logic" of the Cross to our everyday relationships. Just as King Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to sacrifice Himself for His bride, we are called to a life of mutual submission that shocks the world and unveils the heart of God.In this message, we unpack:• The "Key" Verse: Why Ephesians 5:21—"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ"—is the essential foundation for everything that follows.Marriage Reimagined: Moving past "boss and employee" dynamics to a picture of a husband’s sacrificial love and a wife’s supportive respect.• The Household Code: How Paul’s instructions to children, parents, slaves, and masters fundamentally leveled the playing field in the ancient Greco-Roman world.• Palm Sunday Power: Why true leadership in the Kingdom of God is defined by service and sacrifice, not status or authority.• A Transforming Privilege: Understanding that our roles in the home and workplace are primary opportunities to display the beauty of the Gospel to a watching world.The Battleground of the Home: The enemy loves to twist the word "submission" to create resentment and division. But when we choose the way of the humble servant, we reclaim our households for the Kingdom and show the world a "different kind of King."Challenge: How can you "out-serve" the people in your life this week? Join us as we learn to follow the model of Jesus, who didn't come to be served, but to serve.

What if the secret to a life that looks like Jesus isn’t found in "thinking big," but in "thinking little"? In Week 11 of our Battlegrounds series, Pastor Kyle explores the strategic climax of Ephesians 5, where Paul challenges us to be "imitators of God" by paying attention to the smallest details of our daily walk.Using the daunting climb of Mt. Washington as a backdrop, this message reveals how the "little things"—our words, our humor, and our hidden attitudes—have the power to either lead us toward the light or derail us into darkness.In this message, we unpack:• The "Think Little" Strategy: Why summiting the spiritual mountain requires us to focus on our next step rather than the overwhelming height of the goal.• Familial Resemblance: Understanding that imitating God isn't about trying to be something you're not, but acting like the "beloved children" you already are in Christ .• The Sneaky Sins: A deep dive into why "wittiness," sarcasm, and empty talk are often the "little things" that gradually turn human beauty into something ugly.• Exposing the Darkness: How living a "noticeably different" and pleasant life naturally exposes the heavy darkness of the world without saying a word.• Walking Musicals: Discovering how a life of thankfulness and submission creates a melody that is "better than a hallelujah" to God’s ears.The Battleground of the Everyday: The enemy doesn't always attack with big, obvious violations. He wins ground gradually through sarcasm, greed, and time-wasting. Reclaim your walk by reordering your rhythms around the story of Jesus.Challenge: Are you paying attention to the trail? Learn how to walk as "children of light" by trusting that you are ultimately in the hands of a merciful God who loves you.

The battle for your life is often fought in the mirror. In Week 10 of our Battlegrounds series, we dive into Ephesians 4:17-32. Paul gives us a practical guide for spiritual warfare that looks less like a sword fight and more like a wardrobe change: we are called to "Put Off" the old self and "Put On" the new.Being in Christ isn't just about a change in destination; it’s about a change in nature. Paul challenges us to stop living like the world—darkened in understanding and calloused in heart—and to start living out the "New Humanity" that has been created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.In this message, we explore:• The Calloused Heart: Understanding how the "ways of the world" gradually numb our hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit.• The Wardrobe Change: A deep dive into the "Put Off/Put On" dynamic. We don’t just stop sinning; we replace it with God-honoring habits.• Truth, Anger, and the Devil: Why unresolved anger is an open invitation (a "foothold") for the enemy to set up camp in your life.• The Power of Words: Learning to move from "unwholesome talk" to words that build others up according to their needs.• Grieving the Spirit: How our bitterness, rage, and malice affect our relationship with the Holy Spirit who sealed us for the day of redemption.The Battleground of the Everyday: The enemy wins when we act like we are still dead in our sins. Victory is found in the daily discipline of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness—just as in Christ, God forgave you.Challenge: What "old clothes" are you still wearing? It’s time to take off the bitterness and put on the kindness of Jesus. Join us as we learn to walk in a way that makes the "Manifold Wisdom of God" visible to everyone around us.

Are you a passenger or part of the crew? In Week 9 of our Battlegrounds series, Pastor Jason dives into Ephesians 4:7-16 to challenge our modern definition of "church." Too often, we treat the local church like a cruise ship—an institution designed to entertain us and cater to our preferences. But Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reveals a radically different vision: the Church is a battleship and a hospital ship where everyone has a role.In this message, we unpack:• Grace as Empowerment: Discover how the same grace that saves you also "apportions" unique gifts to every single believer for the work of service .• The Five-Fold Gifts: Understanding the roles of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers—not as titles of prestige, but as tools for equipping the body.• The Maturity Metric: Why reading your Bible and attending church are signs of life, not necessarily maturity. Learn the difference between spiritual infancy and "attaining to the whole measure of Christ".• Rescue Crew Identity: How Jesus’ ascension means we have been recruited into a divine rescue mission to bring hope to a wounded world .• The "Y'all" Factor: Why the church only grows and builds itself up in love when each part—including you—does its specific work.The Battleground of Maturity: The Enemy loves a passive, consuming church because it’s easily divided and tossed by cultural waves. True spiritual warfare involves the discipline of deciding toward maturity and moving from being a "consumer" to a "contributor".Challenge: Are you ready to move from spectator to servant? Join us as we explore what it means to be a healthy, vibrant, and mature church that reflects the heart of King Jesus to North Iowa and beyond.

In Week 8 of our Battlegrounds series, we welcome Pastor Drew Shepp to unpack the massive shift that happens in Ephesians 4. Up until now, Paul has been telling us who we are; now, he begins to show us how to live.It all hinges on one word: Therefore. Because you are chosen, adopted, and redeemed, how does that change the way you walk into your office, your school, or your neighborhood tomorrow morning? Pastor Drew explores the difference between "gifting" and "calling," and why God is often more interested in who you are becoming than where you are going.In this message, we unpack:• The "Therefore" Bridge: Why we can't understand the instructions of Ephesians 4 without first grounding ourselves in the grace of Ephesians 1-3.• Gifting vs. Calling: Reclaiming the truth that your "calling" isn't just a career or a talent—it’s the way you carry the light of Christ into every room you enter.• God’s Scorecard: Why humility, gentleness, and patience are the true marks of success in the Kingdom of God.• Unity vs. Conformity: A deep dive into why the Church shouldn't look like a group of clones, but a miracle of diverse people aligned in the same direction.• The Bond of Peace: How the peace we received from Jesus in Ephesians 2 becomes the "glue" that holds the Church together today.The Battleground of the Walk: The enemy wants to distract you with the destination so you disregard the process. Discover how to "walk worthy" by prioritizing the "who" over the "what" and fighting from a victory that has already been won.Challenge: What is the "wall" in your heart that keeps you from unity with your brothers and sisters? Join us as we surrender our agendas and step into the "One Body" God is building.

What happens when the love of God moves from being a "map" in your head to a reality in your heart? In Week 7 of our Battlegrounds series, Pastor Jason dives into Ephesians 3:14-21—one of the most profound prayers in all of Scripture.Paul takes us to our knees, showing us that the "Battleground" is won through total dependence on the Father. This message explores how the Holy Spirit strengthens our "inner being" so that we can grasp the immeasurable dimensions of Christ's love and live out of the fullness of God.In this message, we unpack:• The Posture of Prayer: Why Paul "kneels" and how willed submission changes us before it changes our circumstances.• Inner Strength vs. Public Performance: Learning that God’s power is shown through our weakness when Christ truly "tabernacles" in our hearts.• Grasping the Ungraspable: A deep dive into the four dimensions of God’s love—how wide, long, high, and deep it truly is.• Information vs. Transformation: Why knowing about God's love isn't enough; we must be immersed in it to be filled with His fullness.• Immeasurably More: How the power at work within us leads to God doing unimaginable things through the Church (Ephesians 3:20).The enemy wants you over-stimulated and under-nourished. He wants you raging on social media instead of kneeling in prayer. Discover how to reclaim the ground of your inner life through the power of the Holy Spirit.Challenge: Are you ready to let the love of Christ grab hold of you? Join us as we pray for the "prevailing and travailing" move of God in our church and community.

What if the Church is God’s primary strategy to prove the enemy wrong? In Week 6 of our series Battlegrounds, Pastor Jason explores the "Mystery of Christ" revealed in Ephesians 3:1-13—a plan hidden for ages but now unveiled to the entire cosmos. Too often, we view the church through the lens of our preferences or bickering, but Paul reveals a much bigger picture: the Church is a "Manifold" (multi-colored) masterpiece designed to put God’s wisdom on display for every ruler and authority in the heavenly realms. In this message, we unpack:• The Mystery Solved: Discover how the Gospel radically destroyed the "Us vs. Them" mentality, making Gentiles full heirs and members of the same body. • God’s Administration: Understanding that the Cross wasn't a plan B, but a coordinated "Salvation History" planned before time began. • Apostles & Prophets: Looking at the roles—not titles—that provide the structure and clarity the Church needs to stay aligned with its mission. • Manifold Wisdom: Why our differences in culture, personality, and background aren't a mistake, but the very thing that shows the "multi-faceted" glory of God. • Power in Weakness: How Paul’s imprisonment proves that God’s strength is best seen through human humility, not worldly prestige. • The Battleground of the Unseen: The enemy uses division to make the Church look foolish. But when we live as a "Fellowship of the Gospel," we demonstrate God’s power to the spiritual forces of darkness. Challenge: Is your life reflecting the "Manifold Wisdom" of God? Learn how your unique passions and personality are meant to describe our Good Master to a broken world. 

Jesus didn't come to pick a side; He came to create a New Humanity. Discover how the enemy uses division as a strategy and how we can stand firm in the unity Jesus has already won.In this message, we unpack:• The Bible Hyperlink Map: Understanding the 63,000+ cross-references that prove the Bible is one unified Meta-Narrative.• The Cost of Inclusion: Why the blood of Christ was the only thing powerful enough to bring those who were "far off" into the household of God.• The Strategic Nature of Division: Why the enemy doesn’t need to defeat the church if he can simply divide it through preferences, politics, and pet theologies.• God’s Handiwork (Poiema) Reframed: Discovering that the "good works" we were created for (v.10) are specifically the works of reconciliation and unity.• Citizens and Temples: Moving from being "foreigners and strangers" to becoming a living dwelling place for God’s Spirit.• The Battleground of Unity: The Enemy doesn't improvise; he coordinates. Division is not a side effect—it’s his primary strategy to steal the ground Jesus won on the cross. Learn how to stop being an assistant to the enemy's division and start living as an ambassador of reconciliation.By His blood we are:• Forgiven & Free (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22 // Lev. 17:11; Isa. 53:5-6)• Cleansed of all our sins, guilt and shame (Hebrew 9:22; 1 John 1:7 // Lev. 16:21-22; Psalm 51:7; 85:2; Zech. 13:1• Declared right with God (Romans 5:9 // Hab. 2:4)• Redeemed from bondage (1 Peter 1:18-19 // Exod. 12:1-13)• Brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13 // Lev. 16; Isa. 57:19)• At peace with God (Colossians 1:20 // Lev. 3)• Reconciled (Colossians 1:21-22 // Gen. 3:21; Lev. 16)• Brought into a New Covenant (Luke 22:20 // Exod. 24:8; Jer. 31:31-34)• Given access to God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19 // Lev. 16:2-17)• Clean conscience (Hebrews 9:14 // Isa. 1:18; Lev. 16:30)• Set apart for Holiness (Hebrews 13:12 // Exod. 29:20-21)• No longer condemned (Romans 5:9; 8:1 // Ps. 103:10-12)• Given Victory (Colossians 2:13-15 // Exod. 12)Challenge: Are you building walls or tearing them down? In a culture that thrives on conflict, the Church is called to be a microcosm of God's Kingdom—showing the world what it looks like to follow King Jesus together.

If Ephesians 1 is about everything God brings to the table, Ephesians 2 is about what we bring—and the answer might surprise you. In Week 4 of our series, Battlegrounds: Paul’s Letter to Ephesus, Pastor Jason explores the most powerful "switcharoo" in Scripture.Paul lures us in with the blessings of Chapter 1, only to drop a shocking reality check in Chapter 2: without Jesus, we weren't just "broken" or in need of self-improvement—we were spiritually dead.In this message, we unpack the two most important words in the Bible: "BUT GOD."• The Reality of Spiritual Death: Why the Gospel isn't about becoming a "better person," but about being brought from death to life.• God’s Wrath vs. God’s Love: Understanding that God’s holy anger toward sin actually flows from His deep love for us.• Mercy vs. Grace: Discover the simple yet life-changing difference—Mercy is not getting the punishment you deserve; Grace is getting the life you could never earn.• The Performance Trap: How to resist the enemy’s strategy of turning your faith into a "transaction" where you feel you must pay God back for His forgiveness.• God’s Handiwork (Poiema): You are God’s "poem" or masterpiece. Learn why you aren't saved by good works, but you are saved for them.The Battleground of Grace: The enemy wants you to think your faith is cheap and disposable, or that you have to constantly strive to earn God's approval. Pastor Jason challenges us to stop living like "probation officers" are watching us and start living as the artwork God prepared in advance to show His beauty to the world.Challenge: Are you trying to atone for your own past, or are you resting in the "But God" of the Gospel? It’s time to move from the performance treadmill to the abundance of grace.

One of the primary "Battlegrounds" the enemy attacks isn't just our behavior—it’s our imagination. How do you see the world? Your church? Your neighbors? Yourself? More importantly, how do you envision God’s Kingdom coming to earth right here and now?In Week 3 of our series Battlegrounds: Paul’s Letter to Ephesus, Pastor Jason dives into Ephesians 1:15-23. He explores Paul’s profound prayer for the church: that the "eyes of our hearts" would be enlightened. We often settle for a shrunken vision of faith, but Paul reminds us that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is currently at work within the Church.In this message, we unpack:• The Evidence of Faith: Why intellect and feelings are secondary to "faithfulness" and love for God’s people.• The Trinity in Action: A breakdown of Ephesians 1:17 and how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in harmony to help us know God better.•The Eyes of the Heart: Reclaiming the truth that in Christ, you have a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19) and an imagination that can be transformed by the Spirit.•4 Conditions of the Heart: A spiritual check-up on the four types of hearts—Resistant, Wounded, Responsive, and Full—and how they affect your Kingdom vision.• The Power of King Jesus: Why we don't need to conquer a defeated foe, but simply stand firm on the ground Jesus has already taken.• The Church is meant to be a microcosm of what God wants the world to look like. What could happen in Clear Lake and North Iowa if our collective imagination was set on fire by the Holy Spirit?📖 Main Scripture References• Ephesians 1:15-23 (The primary text: Paul’s prayer for revelation)• Psalm 110 (The prophecy of Christ’s footstool)• John 13:34 (The command to love one another)• Ezekiel 11:19 (God giving a heart of flesh)• Jeremiah 17:9 (The contrast of the unrenewed heart)

"Did God really say...?" It’s the oldest question in the book, and it’s the primary weapon the enemy uses on the Battleground of Identity.This week, Pastor Josh continues our series, Battlegrounds: Paul’s Letter to Ephesus, by diving into the "blessing-soaked" opening of Ephesians 1. Born just 500 miles from the ruins of ancient Ephesus, Josh brings a personal and passionate perspective to what he calls his favorite book in the Bible.If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, shame, or the feeling that you just aren’t "holy" enough, this message is for you. We often find it easy to believe God loves "the world," but we struggle to believe He loves us—individually and specifically.In this message, we unpack our identity "In Union With Christ":• Blessed and Chosen: Why being "holy and blameless" isn't about your behavior, but about God’s scandalous perspective of you in Christ.• The Power of Adoption: Discovering that you are loved, delighted in, and accepted into the family of God by His "Kind Intention."• The Mystery of Grace: How God lavishes His riches on us, not because we earned them, but because it gives Him "good pleasure" to save us.• Sealed and Guaranteed: Understanding the Holy Spirit as the "deposit" on our inheritance, proving we are God’s purchased possession.• The Heavy Lifting of Grace: We often try to muscle our way into God’s favor, but our identity is built on what He has already done. Learn how to stop striving and start surrendering to the truth of who you are in Jesus.Challenge: Stop listening to the "Accuser" and start taking God at His Word. You are redeemed, forgiven, and sealed. It’s time to stand firm on that ground.

Welcome to 2026 and the kickoff of our brand-new series, Battlegrounds: Paul’s Letter to Ephesus. In this opening message, Pastor Jason dives into one of the most powerful books of the Bible to reveal that the spiritual warfare we face is often a battle for our very identity in Christ.  Too often, we think of the "Armor of God" only as a final chapter in a book, but what if the entire letter to the Ephesians is actually the toolkit we need to hold the ground Jesus has already won for us?  In this message, you’ll discover:• The Reality of the Enemy: Understanding the strategies of the Accuser and why he prowls like a lion seeking to devour our sense of belonging.  • Context is Key: Take a trip to ancient Ephesus—a hub of pagan worship, economic power, and political influence—and see why God planted the church in the heart of this "Gateway City" to reshape culture from the inside out.  • More Than Personal Salvation: Learn why Ephesians is first and foremost a letter about the Church—God’s "holy people" called to show a broken world what New Creation looks like.  • A Sobering Warning: Reflecting on the Spirit’s message in Revelation 2, we explore the danger of falling in love with theology while forsaking our "first love" for God.  The Battleground of Identity: The enemy wants to steal back the ground Jesus secured. Learn how to stand firm by understanding who you are as a "mini-temple" united in worship with the body of Christ. Challenge: Are you ready to stop just "surviving" and start standing strong? Join us as we explore our calling, our character, and the battle to walk worthy in a worthless culture. 

Bring the year to a close with Pastor Derek as he concludes our journey through the book of Philippians! This message is a powerful reflection on 2025, shifting our focus from merely "surviving" the chaos of the holiday season to thriving through the secret of biblical contentment.Using Paul’s final words in Philippians 4:10-23, Derek explores how we can maintain a "Mindset of Christ" whether we are in a season of plenty or a season of want.Celebration & Reflection: Join us as we look back on the "Zion Statistics" of 2025—from launching a women’s sober living home to seeing growth in our youth—and learn why celebrating "wins" is vital for the soul.The Secret of Contentment: Paul wasn't preaching from a high horse; he was preaching from a prison cell. Discover how true contentment is a "secret" we must learn, allowing us to praise God in the good and the bad.Reclaiming Philippians 4:13: Often used as a slogan for personal success, Pastor Derek reveals the true heart of this verse: it’s about the supernatural ability to endure hardship and find strength in Christ alone.Sharing the Burden: Learn what it means to truly "share in the troubles" of others. Generosity isn't just about meeting a need; it’s a transformative act that mirrors Jesus’ sacrificial love on the cross.Challenge: How is your soul? As we head into the New Year, find out how serving others and protecting your time with the Creator can prepare you to rejoice no matter what 2026 brings.

Celebrate Christmas Eve 2025 with Zion • Clear Lake as we gather for a special "Church at the Surf" service!We all love the comfort of a Hallmark Christmas movie—the small-town charm, the predictable romance, and the "perfect" snowy ending. But as Pastor Jason explores in this message, we don't live in a Hallmark world. Our reality is often a "tangled mess" of conflicting definitions of peace, joy, and truth.Drawing from our series, Whatever is Beautiful, we look at Philippians 4:8 through the lens of the Incarnation. Christmas is the moment God stepped into our messy, chaotic reality—not as a warrior king, but as a vulnerable baby in a manger.In this Christmas Eve message, we explore:• The Hallmark vs. Reality: Why the world’s version of "Peace on Earth" often falls short.• The Tangled Mess: How human attempts to define love and truth lead to confusion, and how God begins to untangle them.• Philippians 2 & 4: Seeing the birth of Jesus as the ultimate example of what is Noble, Right, Pure, and Lovely.• Immanuel: What it truly means to have "God with us" in the middle of our brokenness.Join us as we treasure and ponder the beauty of a God who isn't afraid to get His hands dirty to make something beautiful out of our lives.

ZCL staff share the heart of the Advent story through personal reflections and favorite Christmas memories. It’s a morning of warmth, connection and focusing on the beauty of Jesus.

Continuing our study in Philippians, Pastor Jason unpacks the powerful call to "press on" in our faith journey. This message explores the reality of sanctification —the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus. We are reminded that, like the Apostle Paul, we are "all in process" , and true growth requires both our effort and the work of the Holy Spirit.Discover the true meaning of the "prize" —which is far greater than just future heaven—it's knowing and being with Jesus NOW and living a life "fully alive in Christ". Most importantly, learn the vital role of Christian community: you cannot grow in Christ alone. Paul urges us to "Join together in following my example" —surrounding yourself with maturing Christians who will hold you accountable and pull you back on course.

Do you struggle with performance anxiety, constantly feeling like you have to do more to prove your faith or impress God? You're not alone.In this message from our Whatever is Beautiful series, Pastor Jason dives into Philippians 3:1-11 to expose the danger of relying on a "spiritual resume"—our religious deeds, accomplishments, and background—for salvation and confidence. The Apostle Paul calls all these self-justifications "garbage" (loss/rubbish) compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus!Learn the biblical call to rejoice in the Lord as a safeguard against both pride (when things go well) and bitterness/victimhood (when life is hard). Discover how true righteousness comes not from what you do, but from faith in Christ alone. This is an essential message for anyone seeking true rest, joy, and peace in a culture obsessed with performance.

Welcome back to Whatever is Beautiful, our series in the Book of Philippians from Zion • Clear Lake!In this message, Pastor Kyle dives into Philippians 2:12-16 to challenge our assumptions about faith and work. What does it really mean to "work out your salvation"? The Greek word Paul uses isn't about working harder; it’s like steeping tea! It’s about putting ourselves in a position for God’s goodness to "ooze" into and through us.This happens when we do the hardest thing: Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Pastor Kyle explores how grumbling is commentary without knowledge (just like the Pharisees), and how it destroys the Fellowship of the Gospel God intends for us.In a world full of criticism, we are called to be a unified, loving Body of Christ that doesn't play the world's game, so that we may shine like the stars in the heavens.Key Takeaways:• Why the church needs the Gospel more than the world.• The difference between the Roman pyramid structure and Christ's upside-down model.• The "steeping tea" analogy for working out your faith.• The call to pursue love for one another over being "right."

Are joy and unity hard to find? Megan shares the "secret sauce" that allows Christians to thrive despite conflicts and challenges: Humility.In this message on Philippians 1:27-2:11, we discover that true humility is not self-doubt, but self-forgetfulness. Paul’s call for the church to be "like-minded" is rooted in Jesus' ultimate example: He was equal with God, yet he "made himself nothing" and became obedient to death on a cross.Learn the difference between the "proud who imagine they are humble" and the "humble who are afraid they are proud". Stop letting pride—the enemy of joy —hold you back!This sermon provides practical steps for pursuing true J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, You), including:• Focusing on Jesus and rooting out pride.• Focusing on Others (serving and listening).• Focusing on Your mindset and admitting when you're wrong.The way up is down. Embrace the mindset of Christ, and God promises to lift you up.

Are you searching for your calling? We often think our purpose is a lost item we need to find, but what if it's already rooted in who you are in Christ?In this powerful message from our Whatever Is Beautiful series, Pastor Derek dives into Philippians 1:12-26. Using the Apostle Paul’s dramatic experience of imprisonment, we unpack the radical truth behind the phrase: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."Discover why your true calling is never dependent on your job, your circumstances, or your platform. Learn the difference between your Primary Calling (to follow Jesus) and your Secondary Calling (how you live that out).Ready to start living your purpose? This message offers six practical steps, beginning with the crucial first step: Surrender (based on Romans 12:1-2). You'll leave knowing how to use your gifts and passions to be faithful right where God has placed you today.

Dive into the new series, Whatever is Beautiful, with this powerful first message from Philippians 1:1-11! Pastor Jason unpacks the dramatic story of the early church in Philippi, from Paul and Silas's imprisonment to the conversion of the jailer.In a world defined by outrage and division, the Apostle Paul writes a manifesto of resilient discipleship from a prison cell—a letter overflowing with joy, unity, and gratitude. Discover what it means to be a "Fellowship of the Gospel" (Koinonia) , where differences in culture, denomination, and background are united by the cross of Christ.This message challenges us to stop quitting on the beautiful, diverse community God is building. Learn to live with a confident assurance that God's good work in us (as a church body) will be carried on to completion, and see how your life can be transformed by Christ-centered love and the Fruit of the Spirit.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.

Sermon notes, Bible references and small group guide have been discontinued for the time being. Please fill out our ZCL app survey so we know how to best build our app to our congregation.In this message from Acts 16, we witness a pivotal shift as Luke moves from being an observer to an active participant in the mission alongside Paul, Silas, and Timothy. The Holy Spirit leads the team in unexpected ways—changing plans and guiding them to new places and people, like Lydia, a wealthy Gentile woman whose heart God opens to the Gospel. Despite physical hardship and imprisonment, Paul and Silas worship boldly, demonstrating a faith that flourishes even in adversity. This passage invites us to follow the Spirit’s leading, join God’s mission by connecting with those He’s already working in, help set people free from bondage, and live fruitfully as part of God’s team.

In this message from Acts 14-15, we follow Paul and Barnabas as they boldly advance the Gospel despite intense opposition, rejection, and even physical danger. We explore four tactics the enemy uses to hinder God’s work: discouragement, distraction, dogmatism, and division. From being mistaken for gods to facing fierce debates about salvation and church inclusion, Paul and Barnabas show us how to fight these challenges with bold obedience, keeping the focus on Jesus rather than the messenger. This powerful teaching encourages us to remain faithful, embrace unity despite disagreements, and trust the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and the church’s mission.

In this powerful message from Acts 8-9, we see how the early church faced intense persecution, yet God used ordinary believers like Philip to boldly share the Gospel in unexpected places — even to outsiders like the Ethiopian eunuch. The story of Saul’s dramatic conversion reminds us that no one is beyond God’s reach. This passage challenges us to trust the Holy Spirit’s work in others, to be ready to share our faith, and to support new believers with encouragement. Join us as we explore God’s amazing grace, the power of the Holy Spirit, and what it means to live out our Kingdom purpose today!

In this impactful section of our sermon series on Acts, we explore the powerful aftermath of Stephen's martyrdom and the resulting persecution that scattered the early church. As the apostles remained in Jerusalem, ordinary believers like Philip stepped up, boldly sharing the Gospel even in hostile environments like Samaria. This passage emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not just for church leaders; it's available to all believers, empowering them to fulfill their God-given purpose. With themes of unity, purpose, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, this message challenges us to embrace our roles in God's mission and live out our faith with courage. Join us as we delve into how these lessons apply to our lives today!

In this engaging section from Acts 6-7, we witness the early church rise to the occasion as they face growing pains and challenges. The apostles recognize that leadership is not solely their responsibility, prompting them to empower ordinary believers like Stephen and others to step into vital roles. As Stephen boldly proclaims the truth, even in the face of persecution, he embodies the call for all of us to lead with grace and conviction. This passage reminds us that every member of the church has a unique purpose and contribution, urging us to support one another and embrace our roles in God’s mission. Join us as we delve into how we can cultivate a vibrant, active community where everyone plays a part!

In this powerful message, Megan explores the sobering story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5, contrasting their fake generosity with the genuine sacrifice of Barnabas. The early Church was marked by bold generosity, deep unity, and the undeniable power of the Holy Spirit—but this couple's attempt to appear more spiritual than they were brings God’s judgment into sharp focus. Through it all, we’re reminded that God isn’t looking for performance—He’s looking for surrendered hearts.The message challenges us to ask: are we giving God everything, or just enough to look good? True sacrifice not only honors God—it stirs revival in the Church.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The sermon centers on Acts 4, where we see the disciples, once fearful and hiding, now boldly proclaiming the gospel. This dramatic change wasn't due to their own strength, but because they had 'been with Jesus.' We're challenged to consider: Do people see that same evidence in our lives? Are we known for carrying the fragrance of Christ? The message emphasizes four key areas of boldness we're called to cultivate: bold preaching, bold praying, bold praising, and bold provision. These aren't just actions, but manifestations of a Spirit-filled life that can shake the foundations of our world. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to seek a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, to step out in faith, and to allow God's power to work through us in ways that astonish those around us.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the early church and in our lives today. The story from Acts 3, where Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful, serves as a profound illustration of how God's power works through His people. This miraculous healing wasn't just about physical restoration, but about demonstrating that God's presence had moved from the temple to dwell within believers. We're challenged to recognize that we, as Christians, are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. This shift means we have the ability to pray for healing and minister to others in Jesus' name. The message emphasizes that while physical healing is powerful, the ultimate miracle is the forgiveness of sins and restoration of our relationship with God through Christ. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to step out in faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us in bringing God's healing and hope to a broken world.

The sermon explored Acts 2, focusing on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early believers. We learned how this pivotal moment fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, reversed the curse of Babel, and empowered the apostles to boldly proclaim the Gospel. The sermon emphasized that the Holy Spirit's work wasn't just for a select few, but for all believers, enabling us to be effective witnesses for Christ.Takeaways:The Holy Spirit's empowerment is for all believers, not just for a select few. We are all called to be witnesses for Christ.True spiritual encounters lead to life change and community transformation, not just emotional experiences.The early church was marked by devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer - a model we should aspire to follow.As we reflect on this message, let's consider how we can be more open to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives and our church community. Are we relying on His power to be effective witnesses? Are we fostering the kind of devoted, generous community we see in Acts 2?