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...
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You Are Here: Cultivating a Hunger for Prayer
Northwest Vineyard
In the concluding episode of the "You Are Here" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson discusses how we navigate the distance between where we currently are and where we want to be as a community. Using the analogy of "You Are Here" maps found in malls and airports, Scott highlights the importance of spiritual orientation. He shares a personal conviction that God is inviting Northwest Vineyard into a season of deeper intimacy through prayer. Exploring Luke 11:1-13, Scott breaks down the Lord’s Prayer not just as words to recite, but as a framework for honoring God as Father, Provider, and...
info_outlineIn this special Christmas Eve service, Pastor Scott Engebretson concludes the "Creating Space" series by exploring the unexpected power of humility. Contrasting the world's view of success—illustrated by NFL coach Tony Dungey—with the Kingdom of God, Scott cites research from CU Boulder to argue that true leadership is found in serving others. He traces this theme through the Christmas story in Luke 2, observing that the good news was first announced to the shepherds—the outcasts of society. Drawing from the "Christ Hymn" in Philippians 2 , Scott explains how Jesus "made himself nothing" to become the Humble King, and invites listeners to make room in their lives to receive His forgiveness, freedom, and flourishing.
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