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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

32:45

Distracted from What Matters Most? | The Great...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/03/29

It’s easy to get distracted—even in our faith.In this message, we take a hard and honest look at how “good things” can quietly pull us away from the most important thing Jesus ever commanded: making disciples. Rooted in Matthew 28:18–20, this sermon challenges us to examine our priorities as individuals and as a church. Are we busy… or are we truly fulfilling our purpose? Through personal insight, biblical teaching, and practical application, this episode will help you: Recognize the distractions

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34:17

Anchored in the Storm: Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/03/08

Storms are a part of life. Sometimes they come without warning, and sometimes they arrive even when we’re doing exactly what God has asked us to do.In this sermon, Matthew Balentine explores the powerful story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:22–33 and what it teaches us about faith, fear, and trusting Jesus when life feels overwhelming. The disciples found themselves struggling against the wind in the middle of the night, but the moment Jesus stepped onto the water, everything changed. This

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25:28

Jesus Isn’t an Add-On: Counting the Cost of Real...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/02/23

What if the hardest parts of following Jesus are the parts we don’t put in the pamphlet?In Luke 14, Jesus turns to a large crowd and delivers a message that would shrink most churches today. He doesn’t promise comfort. He doesn’t promise ease. Instead, He tells them to count the cost. In this sermon, Matthew Balentine walks through one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus: What does it mean to “hate” father and mother? Why does Jesus call us to carry our cross? What does counted-cost

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26:16

Follow Me: When Ordinary Lives Become Extraordinary...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/02/15

In this sermon from Matthew 4:18–22, we explore the moment Jesus calls His first disciples—ordinary fishermen—to follow Him. Their story reminds us that God doesn’t wait for perfect people; He calls available people.Many of us wrestle with questions like: Does my life really matter? Am I ready to serve God? Do I know enough to share my faith? This message challenges the idea that readiness is the key qualification for discipleship. Instead, we are invited to simply say “yes” to Jesus and

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27:38

Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross Daily | Luke 9:23

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/02/08

What does real commitment to Jesus look like in everyday life? In this message from Gospel of Luke 9:23–26, Jesus Christ moves His followers from curiosity to surrender. His call is simple to say but lifelong to live: deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. This sermon explores how discipleship requires more than admiration or occasional consultation. Jesus does not come to be our assistant; He comes to be Lord. Each day we choose whether we will cling to control or release it,

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29:10

Follow Me: The Invitation You Can’t Ignore

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/02/02

In a world full of demands, Jesus offers something different: an invitation. Whether you are a lifelong believer, someone seeking answers, or someone who feels like your life is "messed up," the call remains the same: "Follow Me."In this episode, we kick off our February series by exploring the profound difference between a command and an invitation. We look at the lives of Timothy, the Samaritan woman, and Zacchaeus to see how Jesus meets us exactly where we are, regardless of our starting

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29:35

The Weight of "Good Things": Running the Race with...

Ninth Avenue Church of Christ ·

2026/01/25

Are you feeling bogged down in your spiritual journey, even though you’re filling your life with "good" activities?. In this episode, we dive into Hebrews 12:1-2 to explore what it truly means to run the race marked out for us with perseverance. We often think of the "great cloud of witnesses" as people in the stands watching us, but the truth is more powerful: they are our teammates. They aren't just cheering from a distance; they have been in the game, faced the same challenges, and are here to

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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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