Northwest Vineyard

In this message, Pastor Scott Engebretson tackles the "Do It Yourself" (DIY) mentality that often creeps into our spiritual lives. While DIY skills are great for home repairs, Scott argues that they are spiritual "kryptonite" when it comes to our relationship with God. Drawing from Galatians 3, he explores the story of Abraham to show that righteousness has never been something we can manufacture through our own effort or rule-following. Instead, the "B-Side Life" is about coming to the end of our own resources and surrendering to the strength of God. Scott challenges us to stop trying to white-knuckle our way into holiness and instead receive the gift of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit, which is the only true source of spiritual fruit.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 self-reliance, and instead invites everyone to cultivate a life of partnership with God—sharing their stories and engaging in ministry—so that the fruits of love, peace, and faithfulness can truly flourish.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 us to abide closer, trust deeper, and allow God to produce fruit in us.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 the "B-Side" reality of Jesus: crucified, risen, and sending His Spirit to do in us what we cannot do for ourselves.

For more information about the church, please visit NorthwestVineyard.org.

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 spending them on the possibilities of a life lived with the Risen Christ—a life of wonder and eternal significance that begins right now.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 the community to stop avoiding the "weight" of their vulnerabilities and instead allow Jesus—the Lamb who still carries his scars—to meet them in their waiting and redeem their pain.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 while we don't seek out pain, identifying with Jesus in our own seasons of grief and weakness is the only path to experiencing true resurrection life.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 participate in God's grace by re-engaging with our stories and trusting that His power is made perfect not in our competence, but in our weakness.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 from "not my will" to "your will be done," reminding us that while we don't choose the moment of our suffering, we can choose to participate in its redeeming power.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

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 world, we never have to navigate our physical, spiritual, or emotional troubles alone.

For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.