As 2020 comes to a close, Neal Cook, our Director of Digital Ministry, sits down again with our Pulpit Minister, Matthew Balentine, to discuss the events of the past 12 months and how they have affected him, both personally and professionally, as well as how they have affected the Ninth Avenue congregation. At the end of the discussion, Matthew speaks about his vision for the upcoming year and he has a special seasonal message for the Ninth Avenue family. A few surprises also pop up along the wa...
Dec 23, 2020•42 min•Ep. 624
In Genesis 22, we read the account of Abraham's faith being tested. From this account, we learn that God is able to provide our needs if we trust in him. We can also draw a parallel with the events surrounding the sacrifice of God's Son on the cross. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is ...
Dec 20, 2020•24 min•Ep. 623
The year 2020 continues to be one of many challenges. In Genesis, we read of the many challenges faced by Noah with the coming of the flood. In this sermon, Matthew Balentine provides three important reminders that will help us handle the challenges that come in our personal lives. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Inst...
Dec 15, 2020•28 min•Ep. 622
Like all of us, Moses had peaks and valleys in his life. In this sermon, Matthew Balentine looks at the account of Moses on Mt. Nebo, as his life comes to an end. From it, we can see three lessons that we should apply to our own lives. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from th...
Dec 06, 2020•24 min•Ep. 621
Between Moses's two trips up Mt. Sinai, the Israelites sinned against God by making a golden calf and God punished them for their sin. Following this plague, Moses had a conversation with God. Matthew Balentine discusses this conversation and focuses on three requests made by Moses. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Ins...
Nov 29, 2020•30 min•Ep. 620
Matthew Balentine focuses on three key phrases from Paul's introductory words in his first letter to the Thessalonians. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-a...
Nov 23, 2020•13 min•Ep. 619
We all have peaks and valleys in our lives. Looking at the example of Elijah, Matthew Balentine shows us what can cause our valley moments and how God brings us out of them. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTun...
Nov 22, 2020•30 min•Ep. 618
How must we live our lives so as to be worthy to be in the presence of God? Matthew Balentine provides an answer from God's word. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-g...
Nov 16, 2020•14 min•Ep. 617
Matthew Balentine looks at three spiritual truths involving three E's of faith. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-alive/283357842?i=283358026 . It is perfo...
Nov 15, 2020•32 min•Ep. 616
Matthew Balentine discusses three words found in Psalm 13: trust, rejoice, and sing. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-alive/283357842?i=283358026 . It is ...
Nov 09, 2020•9 min•Ep. 615
[UPDATED: Edited down to sermon only] The year 2020 has not evolved as we envisioned back in January. There have been unforeseen challenges within our congregation, our nation, and our world. So, we ask, "What do we do next?" This time of challenges should challenge us to reengage as a church devoted to prayer. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us ...
Nov 08, 2020•32 min•Ep. 614
Matthew Balentine speaks about actions we should not take and actions we should take, if we want to be blessed by God. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-al...
Nov 02, 2020•13 min•Ep. 613
Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:7, uses the phrase “jars of clay.” Matthew Balentine uses these words to illustrate the type of human vessel that God best uses. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music....
Nov 01, 2020•28 min•Ep. 612
Looking at Psalm 9:1-2, Matthew Balentine points out four things that will result from our being blessed by God. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-alive/28...
Oct 26, 2020•12 min•Ep. 611
Matthew Balentine looks at how Paul addressed sin in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, by breaking it down into four components: the issue, the result, the goal, and the impact. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at ht...
Oct 25, 2020•20 min•Ep. 610
Matthew Balentine discusses four key commands found in Psalm 100. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-alive/283357842?i=283358026 . It is performed by Hardin...
Oct 19, 2020•17 min•Ep. 609
God often has questions for us and we often have questions for Him. In this sermon, Matthew Balentine tells us God's favorite word for answering these questions. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https:...
Oct 18, 2020•22 min•Ep. 608
You have a choice of two different lifestyles--one of worry and one of trust. In this sermon, Matthew Balentine uses Psalm 37 to point out the keys to moving from the former to the latter. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be pu...
Oct 12, 2020•23 min•Ep. 607
Matthew Balentine discusses the problem with pride and the honor of humility. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-alive/283357842?i=283358026 . It is perform...
Oct 11, 2020•23 min•Ep. 606
Looking at the events in the life of Jesus that are found in Matthew 3-4, Matthew Balentine draws out two life-lessons for every Christian: (1) while a Christian's new life begins on a mountain peak at baptism, he or she needs to begin preparing for times of temptation, and (2) while spiritual battles can be exhausting, a Christian needs to keep on working. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through...
Oct 05, 2020•14 min•Ep. 605
While chained in a Philippian jail, Paul did not focus on his present condition. Instead, he focused his mind on worshipping God. In this sermon, Matthew Balentine encourages us to do the same, even in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and nationwide political turmoil. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The son...
Oct 04, 2020•31 min•Ep. 604
Matthew Balentine concludes his series from Ephesians by looking at four things to which we should be devoted: prayer, watchfulness, faithfulness, and fruitfulness. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at htt...
Sep 28, 2020•15 min•Ep. 603
In the fourth sermon of his series from Colossians, Matthew Balentine addresses the question: what is your purpose? ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-alive...
Sep 27, 2020•20 min•Ep. 602
In this concluding sermon of Matthew Balentine’s series on baptism, he looks at where baptism serves as a reference point and, then, at four things about which baptism should remind us. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purch...
Sep 27, 2020•34 min•Ep. 601
In the third part of his study on baptism, Matthew Balentine looks at two things baptism accomplishes. He then focuses on six ways in which the “gift of the Holy Spirit” empowers us. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchase...
Sep 20, 2020•40 min•Ep. 600
This is a continuation of Matthew Balentine’s second sermon in his series on baptism. In it, he looks at some areas where we might have let our focus drift away from the desired target. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purch...
Sep 14, 2020•14 min•Ep. 599
Matthew Balentine continues his series on the subject of baptism. In this sermon, he explains why there should be no division between those advocating the essentially of faith and those advocating the essentially of baptism. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "M...
Sep 13, 2020•29 min•Ep. 598
In his third sermon in a series from Colossians, Matthew Balentine looks the supremacy of Jesus over creation. [NOTE: Approximately the first 30 seconds of the sermon is silent.] ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on...
Sep 07, 2020•17 min•Ep. 597
Matthew Balentine begins a series of sermons on baptism. In this introductory lesson, he discusses why there is a lack of teaching on baptism and looks at five key Bible passages. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased o...
Sep 06, 2020•42 min•Ep. 596
Eric Baker looks at ways a congregation can grow improperly and, then, at ways it can grow properly. ***** Please join us in person at the Ninth Avenue Church of Christ, located in Haleyville, Alabama. You are also invited to join us through social media: Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram The song, "Our God, He Is Alive" (from the album, "Mansions Over the Hilltop") can be purchased on iTunes at https://music.apple.com/us/album/our-god-he-is-alive/283357842?i=28...
Aug 30, 2020•34 min•Ep. 595
