In this final sermon in the book of 1 Peter, Pastor Joshua Shirey shows both the faith-bolstering evidence that the book was really written by the Apostle Peter who witnessed the risen Christ, but also how Peter encourages us in how to live our Christian lives in the time that we still live now as elect exiles still looking forward to our eternal home.

As Christians, we are called to avoid spiritual distraction and complacency, but to be watchful and alert. One reason that we are to remain alert, is because we have a true spiritual enemy who wants to harm those that belong to the Lord Jesus. While we don't believe in a spiritual battle between a "good God" and an "evil God", as if our Savior and our adversary are equals, we must believe that the enemy is a formidable adversary because Peter tells us so in today's passage. In today's sermon, Pastor Joshua Shirey explores this passage in the end of the book of 1 Peter, and discusses the real threat that we face from our spiritual foe, but the hope that remains for us in Jesus if we hold fast to him through faith.

Please note: Due to an equipment failure during the service, the first 13 minutes of the recording are not as good quality.

Speaker: Paul Stockton

In today's sermon, we take a break from 1 Peter to revisit a beloved Psalm of David, Psalm 16. Brother Paul Stockton shares how David, through all of his trials and difficulties, found his greatest joy and pleasure in the Lord himself, and he reminds us, that we, as his children through the death of Jesus on our behalf, should find relief and joy in the Lord as well.

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 5:6, 7

We've all heard the glorious promise of 1 Peter 5:7 which calls us to cast our cares and anxieties upon the Lord, but we rarely consider the verse in context. In today's sermon, NorthStar's preaching pastor Joshua Shirey shares some of the ways we often fail to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, and how that only makes our anxieties worse. As God's people we should rejoice that not only is our sovereign Lord all powerful, but that he cares for us!

In light of the weeks that we spent studying Peter's admonitions to pastors, we consider Psalm 84, a song and prayer of the sons of Korah. What type of man is the Lord looking for to care for his people? The type of man who longs for the eternal house of the Lord, and who works to stir up the same desires in his local congregation.

Guest Speaker: Doug Helms

Pastor Joshua's father-in-law and pastor Doug Helms shares this encouraging message from Jesus' High-Priestly prayer as recorded in John 17. In this powerful prayer, Jesus prays for his disciples and by extension all those that would came to faith by their testimony, that we would be unified by our love and in our faith in his name, so that the world would know that he is the Savior of us all.

In this third week of our study of 1 Peter 5:1-5, Pastor Joshua Shirey walks us through some of Peter's specific admonitions for pastors: specifically that they manifest the heart of a shepherd towards their congregations. Many are capable of leading, preaching and teaching; but the Lord is looking for shepherds to tend his flock and to feed his sheep.

What do Peter's exhortations to the early church elders mean for those of us in the church today, especially men? Who should serve as elders or pastors, and how can you know if you are "called" to serve the church in that way? Pastor Joshua seeks to answer these questions and more over the next two weeks.

Pastor Joshua Shirey begins a multi-part miniseries today on Peter's admonitions regarding the shepherding role of those who serve the church as pastors (or elders). In this week's message we take a look at the theme of shepherding throughout the Scriptures, leading up to the establishment of the early church and the shepherds that are given care of God's own flock.

What is God's purpose for fiery trials and suffering in the life of the Christian? What sort of suffering should we embrace as the tool of God for our good, and what sorts of suffering should be avoided and not considered as joy? Pastor Joshua Shirey answers these questions and more in this week's conclusion to 1 Peter chapter 4.