The B-Side Life: The Environment of Fruitfulness
Northwest Vineyard
Continuing through the book of Galatians, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the vital role our environment plays in our spiritual growth. Using the devastating impact of recent freezes on Florida’s citrus crops as a metaphor, Scott explains that just as a physical freeze can destroy fruit, our "spiritual climate" can either nurture or stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Focusing on Galatians 2, he examines how we are justified by faith in Christ rather than by observing the law. Scott challenges the community to consider if they are living in a "freeze" of legalism or...
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The B-Side Life: The Pure Gospel
Northwest Vineyard
Continuing the series through Galatians (alternatively titled "Fruit and Flame"), Sam Stephens explores the danger of "gatekeeping" the Kingdom of God. Drawing from Galatians 1, Sam warns against the trap of legalism—likening it to someone trying to sell bottled water while standing right next to a flowing river. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit's power at Pentecost wasn't just for a one-time encounter, but to form lasting fruit in our lives. Sam challenges the "man’s gospel" of trying harder and white-knuckling through life, pointing instead to the "pure gospel" from above that invites...
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The B-Side Life: The True Gospel
Northwest Vineyard
Launching a new series through the book of Galatians, Pastor Scott Engebretson introduces "The B-Side Life." Using the analogy of vinyl records, Scott explains that while the "A-Side" represents the polished, popular versions of ourselves we present to the world, the "B-Side" is where the raw, authentic, and soulful work of the Holy Spirit happens. Exploring Galatians 1, Scott addresses the "perverted gospel" of legalism—the idea that we can manufacture spiritual fruit by simply following rules. He argues that true transformation isn't about human effort or religious performance, but about...
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Participating: The Reality of Resurrection
Northwest Vineyard
On this Easter Sunday, Pastor Scott Engebretson concludes the "Participating" series by exploring the world-changing reality of the Resurrection. Scott contrasts the "simulated wonder" of illusions—like those performed by magician Harris III—with the tangible, historical truth of the empty tomb in Luke 24. He challenges the idea that the Resurrection is merely a metaphor or a "beautiful story," arguing instead that because Jesus is physically alive, we are invited to participate in a new future. Scott encourages us to stop spending our "what ifs" on the regrets of the past and start...
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Participating: The Art of Waiting
Northwest Vineyard
In this installment of the "Participating" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson tackles our cultural aversion to waiting. Drawing from Jason Farman’s Delayed Response, Scott notes that in our world of instant gratification, we often view waiting as "dead time." However, looking at the transition from the suffering of Holy Week to the hope of the Resurrection, he argues that waiting is actually a sacred space where God works. Exploring Romans 8:22–27, Scott discusses how the Holy Spirit participates in our lives by interceding for us with "wordless groans" when we are at our weakest. He invites...
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Participating: The Way of the Suffering Servant
Northwest Vineyard
Continuing the "Participating" series as we approach Holy Week, Pastor Scott Engebretson shares a deeply personal reflection on the tension between the "so much more" of God's power and the reality of human suffering. Drawing from Matthew 27, Scott walks through the harrowing details of Jesus’ mockery and crucifixion, inviting the community to look closely at the "Man of Sorrows." He explores the difficult prayer of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10—the desire to know Christ not only in the power of His resurrection but also in the "fellowship of His sufferings." Scott reminds us that...
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Participating: Strength in Weakness
Northwest Vineyard
Continuing the Lenten series "Participating," Hannah Engebretson explores how we navigate the "thorns" in our lives—those persistent points of pain, weakness, or affliction that we desperately want removed. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 12, Hannah looks at the Apostle Paul’s experience of pleading with God for relief, only to receive the answer: "My grace is sufficient for you." By reflecting on her own season of physical brokenness and the "suffering of God" found in the Lenten journey, she challenges the idea that we must be "fixed" to be useful to the Kingdom. Instead, she invites us to...
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Participating: The Weight of the Cross
Northwest Vineyard
Continuing in the "Participating" series and the season of Lent, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the difficult invitation to participate in the suffering of Christ. Using a humorous story about "yak milk" in Nepal to illustrate how we often expect one thing but receive another, Scott dives into the story of Simon of Cyrene from Luke 23. He discusses the reality that the "cross" is often something forced upon us unexpectedly—through grief, health crises, or brokenness—rather than something we choose. Drawing from the prayers of Jesus in Gethsemane, Scott encourages the community to move...
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Participating: In the Midst of Trouble
Northwest Vineyard
Continuing the "Participating" series during Lent, Pastor Scott Engebretson uses the survival show Alone as a backdrop to discuss how we navigate the "wilderness" of life's hardships. Drawing from John 16, Scott explores the inevitable "labor pains" of the world and how Jesus prepares his disciples for the trouble ahead. He highlights three ways we are called to participate when life gets hard: by waiting faithfully, by weeping and mourning honestly rather than bypassing pain, and by resisting the urge to scatter or isolate. Ultimately, Scott reminds us that because Jesus has overcome the...
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Participating: The Way Out of the Wilderness
Northwest Vineyard
Kicking off the new series, "Participating," and entering the season of Lent, Pastor Scott Engebretson looks at the reality of temptation and the "death spirals" we often find ourselves in. Using the story of Jesus in the wilderness from Luke 4:1-13, Scott highlights how the enemy targets our most basic needs, our desire for protection, and our hunger for power. He explores how Jesus resisted these temptations not through sheer willpower, but by being led by the Spirit and anchored in Scripture. Scott invites the community to participate in the new life Jesus offers—reminding us that while...
info_outlineThis week in the Guardrails series, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the often-overlooked final part of the Nicene Creed, which confesses Jesus's return. He begins by recounting a personal story about his childhood vision of a hoverboard, which he uses to illustrate our human tendency to hope for the future. The sermon emphasizes that looking forward to Jesus's return provides a "stabilizing work" in our lives and a "right perspective" for living in the present. Pastor Scott concludes by encouraging listeners to live fully today, not just for the hope of tomorrow.
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