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PODCAST

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ

Ninth Avenue Church

Listen to Bible-based and scripturally-sound sermons preached during the worship services of the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. All sermons are by our Preaching Minister, Matthew Balentine, unless otherwise indicated. Our Youth Minister is Josh Wade.

religion & spirituality religion

All Episodes

21:38

Finding Purpose in the Seasons of Life (Ecclesiastes 3)

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/01/18

Have you ever felt like life is moving too fast, or perhaps it’s stalled in a season of "winter" that feels cold, lonely, and long? In this episode, we dive into the timeless wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3 to understand how God orchestrates the shifting seasons of our lives. We often want to stay on the "mountaintops" of blessing and joy, but our faith is truly formed in the valleys of suffering and uncertainty. Whether you are in a season of growth or a season of endurance, this message offers a

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27:35

Create in Me a Clean Heart: When God Transforms What...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/01/12

Why does real change feel so difficult—even when our intentions are good? In this sermon, Matthew Balentine reflects on Psalm 51 and David’s prayer for renewal after failure. Rather than focusing on surface-level behavior or temporary fixes, this message calls listeners to examine the heart—the place where lasting transformation begins. Through David’s confession, surrender, and plea for restoration, we are reminded that God does not simply manage our symptoms; He creates something new within us

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22:41

God Is Leverage: Why Keeping God Close Changes...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/01/05

What if the issue isn’t that God lacks power—but that we’ve kept Him at a distance?In this sermon, we explore a life-shaping truth: God is leverage. While many believers affirm Scripture, respect it, and defend it, too often God’s Word remains distant from daily life. When that happens, we end up carrying burdens—fear, anxiety, regret, shame, and sin—that we were never meant to carry alone. Drawing from passages like Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105, Joshua 1:8, and John 15:5, this message challenges

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26:08

When Doing the Right Thing Costs You

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/12/21

Doing the right thing is easy—until it costs you something.In this sermon from Matthew 1:18–25, we take a closer look at the quiet, courageous obedience of Joseph and what his story teaches us about true righteousness. Faced with fear, uncertainty, and potential shame, Joseph chose compassion over self-protection and obedience over convenience. This message challenges common assumptions about righteousness and invites us into a faith that protects the vulnerable, makes room for others, and reflects

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29:04

Make Room for God: Preparing Your Heart for What...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/12/07

Are you busy—but not spiritually full?In this powerful sermon, Matthew Balentine invites us to examine our hearts and ask the simple but life-changing question: Is there room for God in my life? Drawing from Luke 1 and Mary’s unexpected calling, this message explores what it truly means to be available to God—even when life feels overcrowded, overwhelming, and out of control. Through practical insights and heartfelt challenge, Matthew reminds us that: God chooses availability over ability His

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25:36

Unkink the Hose: How to Restore the Flow of God’s...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/11/24

In this week’s message, Matthew Balentine explores one of the most misunderstood passages in Scripture — Malachi 3:6–12 — and reveals a powerful truth about why God’s blessings sometimes stop flowing in our lives.Using the memorable illustration of a kinked garden hose, Matthew explains how believers can unintentionally “block” the spiritual abundance God desires for them. This sermon challenges us to examine our hearts, return to faithful living, and experience the overflow God promises when His

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33:56

Why Giving Matters: A Biblical Call to Gratitude

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/11/16

In this message from our Blessed series, Matthew Ballentine explores the deeper meaning of Christian giving and why it is far more than a financial act. Rooted in 2 Corinthians 9, this sermon examines how true generosity flows from a heart shaped by gratitude and trust.Matthew walks through the biblical foundations of blessing, stewardship, and intentional giving—challenging us to evaluate whether our giving reflects honor, purpose, and faith. Rather than pressure or obligation, giving becomes a

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29:55

Don’t Bury God’s Blessings

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/11/09

In this week’s message, Matthew Balentine explores Jesus’ Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14–30, reminding us that everything we have—our time, our talents, and our treasures—belongs to God. Through this story, we learn that God entrusts each of us with different resources, not equally but intentionally. The question isn’t what we’ve been given—it’s what we’re doing with what we’ve been given. Matthew challenges us to examine whether we’re investing our blessings for God’s glory or burying

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25:34

From the Valley of Denial to the Peak of Restoration...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/10/27

In this heartfelt message, Matthew Balentine shares the powerful story of Peter’s journey from denying Jesus to being fully restored on the shores of Galilee. Through John 21, we see how Jesus meets us right where we are—broken, tired, and uncertain—and gently calls us back into fellowship and purpose.This sermon reminds us that grace doesn’t push us away; it draws us close. Jesus not only forgives us but invites us back to the table and sends us out again with renewed purpose. If you’ve ever felt

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30:14

The Night Faith Collapsed: Peter’s Denial and Jesus’...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/10/19

When Peter swore he’d never deny Jesus, his confidence was sky-high—but within hours, it crumbled. In this message from Luke 22, Matthew Balentine walks through Peter’s valley of failure and Jesus’ look of restoration. Learn how disappointment can become denial, and how grace transforms regret into renewal. Key Takeaways: Why emotion without devotion leads to spiritual collapse The danger of “following at a distance” How Jesus’ compassion restores the fallen Finding strength when your

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28:01

Find Purpose In Your Valley

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/10/06

Even in life’s lowest valleys, God’s purpose still stands.In this powerful message from our Peaks and Valleys series, Matthew Balentine reminds us that the presence of struggle does not mean the absence of God. Drawing from 1 Samuel 16, we see how Samuel, Jesse, and David each faced moments of uncertainty, pride, and obscurity—but God was working through it all. This sermon invites you to trust that even when you feel overlooked or misunderstood, God is shaping something far greater beneath the

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24:17

Jesus Is Always There | Luke 15

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/09/07

Have you ever felt lost, disconnected, or unsure of where you belong? In Luke 15, Jesus tells three unforgettable stories—the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son—that remind us of one life-changing truth: God is always with us.In this message, Matthew Balentine shares how each parable reveals the heart of God—searching for the lost, rejoicing in repentance, and welcoming His children home with open arms. Whether you’re wandering, unaware, or weary from the journey, take comfort in

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26:57

Pressing Reset: Finding Hope When Life Knocks You Down

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/09/01

Life often feels like a board game—filled with highs, lows, and unexpected setbacks. Just when everything seems to be going right, something happens that knocks us off course. But while setbacks are inevitable, they are not the end of the story. In this sermon, we explore how God gives us the opportunity to press reset through Jesus Christ. Discover how to: Face life’s setbacks with faith and endurance Lean on God’s promise of renewal and forgiveness Refocus on what truly matters—the eternal

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31:25

The Cure for Loneliness: Devoted to True Fellowship

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/08/24

Loneliness is one of the greatest struggles of our time—even in a world more “connected” than ever before. In this message from our Reset series, Matthew Balentine takes us to John 13:34–35 and Acts 2:42–47 to show how Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you” transforms the church into a community where no one walks alone.From the disciples’ differences at the Last Supper to the diverse backgrounds of believers in Acts 2, we see that true fellowship is not about food or social

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30:49

Reset Your Devotion: Transformation Through God's Word

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/08/17

Are you spiritually nourished—or just getting by? Building from Acts 2:38–47, I share why the early church’s rhythm of devotion wasn’t optional; it was the engine of growth, unity, and mission. We explore Jesus’ call to feed on God’s Word (Matthew 4:4) and what it means to “live from the overflow,” where our words naturally reflect what fills our hearts (Matthew 12:34). You’ll hear a practical, grace-filled plan for moving from information to transformation, including a simple reading path you can

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23:25

God's Desire For You To Be Saved: The Truth About...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/08/10

In this compelling sermon, Matthew Balentine explores God’s greatest longing—for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3–4). Through clear and passionate teaching, he walks us through key Scriptures—Mark 16, Acts 2, Ephesians 1, and 1 Peter 3—to show how faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit work together in God’s plan of salvation.Discover the meaning of being sealed by the Spirit, the joy of forgiveness, and the unity God intends for His

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25:21

This Is Your Mission Field: Let You Light Shine This...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/08/03

As the new school year begins, what if you saw your classroom, your workplace, or your family routine not just as a schedule—but as a mission field? In this encouraging and practical message, Matthew Balentine speaks directly to students, teachers, and parents, offering a spiritual reset for the year ahead. Drawing from Matthew 5:16, he reminds us that our calling is to shine, not just pass through the year unnoticed. You’ll discover: Why your school or workplace is a God-ordained mission

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28:28

Overlooked But Not Forgotten

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/07/28

Jesus didn’t stop for the crowd—He stopped for one man in a tree. In this episode, we explore the story of Zacchaeus and how real evangelism begins with seeing the people others overlook. Learn how relationship—not pressure—opens the door to repentance and restoration.🎯 Challenge: Ask God to reveal one overlooked person in your life—and reach out.

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26:02

When God Shuts the Door

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/07/20

What do you do when your plans—especially the good ones—fall apart? In this message from Acts 16, Matthew Balentine walks through Paul’s missionary journey and the surprising moment when the Holy Spirit redirects him away from familiar territory and toward something unexpected. When God shuts a door, it’s not rejection—it’s redirection. You’ll learn: Why God sometimes interrupts even our best intentions How to stay sensitive to the Spirit’s leading What one faithful step can mean for an entire

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30:55

Stop Running from God (Jonah 1–3)

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2025/07/14

Episode Summary:Why do we run from what God clearly calls us to do? In this message, Matthew Balentine explores the story of Jonah and reveals the real reasons we resist the mission of God—fear, discomfort, pride, and inconvenience. You'll learn how God's grace patiently pursues us, how He uses storms to redirect us, and why He always offers a second chance. Whether you're struggling with obedience or afraid to take the next step, this message invites you to stop running and start trusting. Key

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