Pastor Sherman Burkhead

In Part 57 of our Genesis series, "The Son of Promise and the Pain of Separation," we examine Genesis 21:8–15 and the difficult but necessary distinction God makes in the unfolding of His covenant plan. As Isaac is weaned, celebration quickly gives way to testing when Ishmael's mocking threatens the promised line. Sarah's difficult demand and Abraham's deep grief remind us that obedience to God's...

Genesis Part 56 | God Has Done What He Said Text: Genesis 21:1–7 God always keeps His promises. In this message from Genesis 21:1–7, we witness the long-awaited birth of Isaac and the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham and Sarah. After years of waiting, God did exactly what He said He would do—at the appointed time. This sermon explores God's unwavering faithfulness, Sarah's transfor...

Genesis Part 55 | When Fear Returns, God Remains Faithful Genesis 20:1–18 Even after years of walking with God, Abraham falls back into a familiar pattern of fear and compromise. In Genesis 20, we are reminded that spiritual growth is real, but it is not always linear. Old fears can resurface, and familiar weaknesses can return. Yet this chapter ultimately points us away from Abraham's failures an...

Genesis Part 54 | The Lingering Consequences of Compromise Text: Genesis 19:30-38 In Genesis 19:30–38, we see that even after God's deliverance, the lingering effects of sin and compromise can remain. Lot has been rescued from Sodom, yet his story does not immediately become one of peace and stability. Fear, isolation, and spiritual weakness continue to shape his life, reminding us that while God'...

Genesis Series Part 53: Mercy in the Midst of Judgment In this message from our Genesis series, we look at the sobering account of Sodom and Gomorrah and the powerful truth that God’s mercy is not fragile in the face of judgment. Even as judgment approaches, the Lord speaks, warns, and shows compassion. Through the story of Lot, we see the danger of hesitation and a divided heart—but even more, we...

Genesis Part 52: When Sin Becomes Normal Text: Genesis 19:1–11 In this message from Genesis 19:1–11, we examine the tragic account of Sodom and discover how sin progresses when people suppress God's truth and reject His authority. Big Idea: When people suppress the truth and reject God, sin does not remain private or contained—it spreads, hardens, and eventually reshapes an entire culture. In this...

Genesis Part 51 — Drawn In: The Heart of God and the Prayer of His People 📖 Genesis 18:16–33 In this message from Genesis 18, we see how God draws His people near—not merely to give information, but to transform hearts. As Abraham walks closely with the Lord, God reveals His justice, His purposes, and invites Abraham into bold and humble intercession. This passage reminds us that prayer is more t...

Genesis Part 50 | Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord? Text: Genesis 18:1–15 Even real faith struggles—but nothing is too hard for the Lord. In this message from Genesis 18, we see how God patiently reminds us of His promises, meets our doubts with grace, and calls us to trust Him even when life feels impossible. In this sermon, you’ll discover: How God repeats His promise to draw us back when our h...

Genesis Part 49 | The God Who Draws Near Text: Genesis 18:1–8 In this message from Genesis 18, we explore the incredible truth that the God of the covenant is not distant or detached—He draws near to His people in grace. Through Abraham’s encounter with the Lord, we see both God’s initiative in fellowship and the humble, joyful response of faith. In this sermon, we cover: • God initiates fellowshi...

Genesis Part 48 | The Child of Promise Declared Text: Genesis 17:15–27 In this message, we explore how God clarifies His covenant promise to Abraham and Sarah, revealing that the child of promise comes through His grace—not human effort—and calling His people to respond in faith and obedience. Big Idea: God clarifies His covenant promise, showing that the child of promise comes through His grace—n...

Genesis Part 47: Marked by the Covenant | Genesis 17:9–14 In this sermon, we explore how God not only gives covenant promises but also marks out a people who belong to Him. Beginning with His grace, God calls His people to respond in faithful obedience—not out of legalism, but from a transformed relationship with Him. We examine the covenant sign of circumcision as a visible marker that points to...

The God Who Establishes His Covenant (Genesis 17:1–8). In this message we see God reveal Himself as El Shaddai before issuing commands, calling Abram to “walk before” Him and be wholehearted; covenant life begins with a right vision of God and flows from grace, not human effort. God takes the initiative—repeated “I will” promises—expanding the vow from one man to nations and kings, making Abram in...

In this message from Genesis 16:1–16, “When We Try to Fulfill God’s Promise Our Way,” we see how the pressure of waiting can tempt us to take control and rely on human effort instead of trusting God’s word. Abram and Sarai’s decision leads to conflict, broken relationships, and pain—reminding us that human solutions often produce deeper problems. Yet even in the midst of failure, God reveals His c...

In this message from Genesis 15:7–21, “The God Who Swears by Himself,” we see that God secures His promises not merely with words, but by binding Himself to them in covenant blood. When Abram asks, “How shall I know?” we’re reminded that faith can ask honest questions and bring them to God. In the covenant ceremony, God alone passes between the pieces, showing that the promise rests entirely on Hi...

In this message from Genesis 15:1–6, “Counted Righteous,” we see that righteousness before God comes not by works, but by believing His promise. God meets Abram in his fear, reminding us that even faithful believers struggle, and that His presence—not changed circumstances—is our true security. Abram brings honest questions to God, showing that real faith wrestles with doubt while still trusting....

Genesis Part 42, “Two Kings, Two Kingdoms” (Genesis 14:17–24), we see that the greatest tests of faith often come after things go well—when we must decide who gets the credit, who we trust, and what kingdom we’re really building our lives on. Abram stands at a crossroads between reward and blessing, choosing worship before wealth and honoring God as the true source of everything. His response chal...

In this message from Genesis 14:1–16, “Faith in the Fog of War,” we explore the powerful truth that faith does not retreat from a broken world—it trusts God enough to act within it. As kingdoms rise and fall in conflict, we are reminded that earthly systems promise security but cannot ultimately sustain it; what seems stable can shift overnight, leaving ordinary people caught in the fallout. In th...

In this message from Genesis 13:14–18 (Genesis Series Part 40), we see God reaffirm His promise to Abram after his separation from Lot. The big idea of the passage is that when surrender strips away our illusion of control, God reaffirms His promise and calls us to walk by faith in what He has spoken. After Abram lets go of what seemed beneficial, the Lord speaks and calls him to lift up his eyes....

Genesis Part 39 | Faith That Walks by Promise, Not Sight 📖 Text: Genesis 13:1–13 In this message from Genesis 13:1–13, we explore a powerful truth: Faith is not proven by getting everything right, but by where we return after failure—and by how we trust God when obedience feels costly and hard. Abram’s journey shows us that failure is not final. After Egypt, he returns to Bethel—not to restart hi...

Genesis Part 38 | Fear, Failure, and the Faithfulness of God 📖 Genesis 12:10–20 Big Idea: Even true faith can be shaken by fear, but God’s saving purposes rest on His faithfulness—not the strength of our faith. In Genesis 12:10–20, Abram obeys God and enters the promised land, only to face famine. His trial reminds us that testing is not punishment, but often God’s means of refining our faith. Ye...

Genesis Part 37: Faith on the Way 📖 Genesis 12:4–9 In this sermon from our Genesis series, we follow Abram as he begins to walk out the promise God has already spoken. Having been called by grace in Genesis 12:1–3, Abram now responds in faith—not by earning God’s favor, but by trusting God’s word. This passage shows us that true faith is not passive or abstract; it moves forward in obedience, wor...

Genesis Part 36: A Promise That Changes the World 📖 Genesis 12:1–3 In this sermon from our Genesis series, we come to one of the great turning points of Scripture. After humanity’s repeated failure—from the fall, to the flood, to the tower of Babel—God does not respond with a new law or a new command, but with a promise. In Genesis 12:1–3, God calls Abram and speaks a covenant promise that will s...

Genesis – Part 35 | From Babel to Blessing 📖 Genesis 11:27–32 In this sermon, we move from the pride of Babel to the promise of blessing as God begins His redemptive work through Abram. This passage reminds us that God’s saving purposes do not start with impressive people or perfect obedience—but with sovereign grace. Big Idea: God’s redemptive plan begins not with human faithfulness, but with Go...

Genesis Part 34 | “Let Us Make a Name for Ourselves” 📖 Genesis 11:1–9 In this sermon from our Genesis series, we examine the story of the Tower of Babel and the human desire for identity, unity, and security apart from God. Though united in purpose, humanity sought to make a name for itself rather than trust the Lord who gives true significance. Key Themes: 🔹 United Humanity, Corrupt Purpose Uni...

Advent Part 3 | The Light Has Come: Christ the Light of the World 📖 John 1:1–14 In this third message of our Advent series, we turn our attention to one of the most profound truths of Scripture: the Light has come into the world—and the darkness has not overcome it. John’s Gospel opens by declaring that Jesus Christ is not merely a teacher or moral example, but the eternal Word of God—fully divin...