In this powerful Sunday message from Luke 10:38–42, we explore the well-known story of Mary and Martha. While Martha was distracted by preparation and pressure, Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.

This message challenges us to consider whether we are living according to His agenda or our own. So often we are distracted by many things, overwhelmed with responsibility, stress, and expectation. Yet Jesus reminds us that only one thing is truly needed. Busyness does not equal blessing. Worship must come before work. When worry fills our hearts, it quenches our worship and robs us of peace. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, spiritually distracted, or worn out by serving, this sermon will encourage you to pause, refocus, and return to the feet of Jesus. Discover how choosing what is better can transform your faith, your family, and your future.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more biblical teaching and encouragement, and share this message with someone who needs to slow down and encounter Jesus again.

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In this powerful teaching from Pastor Jon, taken from Acts 7:20–34, the life of Moses is explored through the lens of rejection, failure, and God’s unchanging purpose. Like Moses you have experienced REJECTION and RIDICULE from those you expected to RECEIVE you, yet Pastor Jon reminds us that God’s plans are never undone by our past or by people’s opinions. Through the moment of the burning bush, this message reveals that God still calls His people by name and meets them right where they are. At the heart of this episode is a life-changing truth: It’s not so much about who we are, but who He is. If you’re in a wilderness season or questioning your calling, this message will encourage you to trust God’s timing and respond in faith.

In this episode, we explore the moment God called **Samuel as a child in 1 Samuel 3—a time when “the word of the Lord was rare” and spiritual dryness filled the nation.

You’ll hear how God’s double call carries urgency and intimacy, why spiritual silence is often a setup for God’s next move, and how learning to discern God’s voice frequently happens through community—even through imperfect people like Eli.

This message highlights two defining truths:

Availability matters more than ability

Response determines destiny

Samuel’s simple reply—“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”—becomes a model for anyone navigating spiritual silence, learning God’s voice, or facing the cost of obedience.

Scripture focus: 1 Samuel 3:1–19

Theme: Hearing God’s voice • discernment • obedience • calling • spiritual growth

Have you ever felt like you’re wrestling with God — waiting for blessing, clarity, or breakthrough?

In this episode, Wrestling for Blessing explores the life of Jacob and the mysterious moment where he wrestles with God and refuses to let go until he is blessed. Jacob’s story reminds us that God often meets us not in our strength, but in our struggle.

This message speaks to anyone who feels called by God but doesn’t feel blessed, who is tired of striving and wondering why faith still feels hard. Through Jacob’s journey, we discover that blessing is not something we earn, but something God freely gives, often through seasons that shape and transform us.

Wrestling for Blessing invites you to trust God’s kindness, contend in prayer, and believe that even in the struggle, God is at work rewriting your story.

The Called is a powerful message about faith, obedience, and trusting God when His voice leads us into uncertainty.

At the start of 2026, this message launches a new series exploring moments in Scripture where God calls people by name—twice. In this opening message, we walk with Abraham through the greatest test of his faith: being asked to place the promise on the altar.

Through the story of Abraham and Isaac, we are challenged to trust God even when it doesn’t make sense, to stop struggling and choose surrender, and to believe that God is still the One who provides. Just as Abraham heard his name called, this message invites us to listen for God calling our own name.

Whether God is asking you to lay something down or calling you to pick something up again—dreams, hopes, or ministries you thought were finished—The Called is an invitation to renewed trust, obedience, and resurrection faith.

Listen with an open heart and be encouraged by the God who still calls His people by name.

What happens when someone is desperate enough to see Jesus that they refuse to let the crowd stop them?

In The Big Turnarounds, we explore the powerful story of Zacchaeus — a wealthy man whose single encounter with Jesus led to a complete life transformation.

This message dives into spiritual hunger, bold faith, overcoming obstacles, and life-changing encounters with Jesus. Discover how running ahead, climbing higher, and responding without hesitation can lead to a big turnaround in your own life.

If you’re longing for renewal, deeper faith, generosity, and a fresh encounter with Jesus, this message is for you.

As a new year begins, Mark Ryan invites us to pause, reflect, and ask an important question: Are we making room for Jesus—and for others? In this powerful and practical message, “New Year – More Room,” Pastor Mark unpacks the story of the paralysed man in Luke 5 and challenges us to examine what kind of church, Christians, and people we want to be in the year ahead.

This episode explores themes of compassion, welcome, unity, and faith in action. Mark reminds us that while the crowd was eager to hear Jesus, they initially failed to make space for someone who desperately needed Him. Through this story, we are encouraged to consider how we can personally and collectively make it easier for others to encounter Jesus—by being welcoming, present, and willing to combine faith with effort.

You’ll also hear a timely call to begin the year with a “mind detox,” laying down strong opinions, fragile faith, and hidden strongholds that may be holding us back from deeper discipleship. Pastor Mark speaks candidly about healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual—and reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just address our visible needs, but the deeper needs of the heart.

This message is filled with warmth, humour, biblical insight, and hope, pointing us toward God’s desire to restore, strengthen, and steady us in the new year.

In this message, Don’t Be Deceived, we explore one of the most important warnings in Scripture: the enemy seeks to deceive, distract, and derail God’s people. Drawing from Joshua 9 and the story of the Gibeonites, this sermon unpacks how deception works, why even strong believers can fall for it, and how we can walk in God-given discernment to stay on the right path. Discover how to recognise spiritual deception, inquire of the Lord in every decision, and step boldly into the promises God has for your life. If you’ve ever battled confusion, distraction, or past mistakes, this word will encourage you that deception does not define your destiny — God does.

What if God’s greatest victories don’t come through power or strategy, but through worship and obedience?

In this powerful message on the story of Jericho, discover how Joshua’s “impossible” battle plan reveals God’s blueprint for breakthrough — one that begins with His presence, not our plans. Learn how to lead with faith when the plan doesn’t make sense, how worship can become your greatest weapon, and why true transformation starts with trust and surrender. Whether you’re a church leader, pastor, or believer longing to see walls fall in your life, ministry, or community — this message will encourage you to walk in obedience, worship through the waiting, and trust that God’s presence always goes before His power.

What is fasting? Should we be doing it? How do I fast and why is it important.

Let me remind you that the title of the series is, 'Taking Ground'. In many ways though we believe this is much more than just a title to a series but rather it is a rallying call from God Himself for both, us as individuals and as a community of believers to be a people who take ground. To be a people who don't simply wander around in the wilderness but rather step into all that God has for us. We really do believe that for all of us the best is yet to come, but in order for us to both see and experience this, we are going to have to take ground.

This therefore truly is a time for us to take heed of the words that God spoke onto Joshua and be "Be strong and very courageous." No less than three times in the opening chapter of the book of Joshua, God said onto Joshua these very words, on the final time though God said, "Have I not commanded you?" Be strong and courageous." In God saying this there was a further weight put behind what He was saying - it was a command. The great thing for Joshua though was that he had a reason, not to be afraid and not to be discouraged, because the Lord His God was going to be with him wherever he went. What was true for Joshua is true for us, as we seek to take ground, we know that God is with us and therefore this is not a time to be afraid or discouraged but filled with faith for what lies ahead. May we like Joshua take heed of God's command to be strong and courageous.

In the season that we find ourselves in I really want to remind us that the way we truly take ground is in a posture of prayer and worship. As someone once said, "God's army moves forward on their knees." As Zechariah 4:6 proclaims, it's "not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord." May we therefore truly engage in the spiritual battle that we are in, knowing that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4), so that we can truly take ground and see God's kingdom extended both here and beyond.

A vibrant, growing, hope-filled community of people who have been changed by an encounter with an extraordinary person, Jesus.

Thank you for taking the time to view our material. To find out more about our church community please visit our website - www.rugbyelim.org.uk

Every great journey begins with a call—a moment when God invites us to step out in faith. This August we'll explore what it means to answer that call, confront the unknown, and prepare for the road ahead. To pack only what we need and leave behind what we don't—walking in daily readiness through prayer and Scripture. To learn to trust God's timing, follow His lead, and remember past victories when fear stands in our way. Through it all, we'll run with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal prize.

Are you ready for the adventure?

Every great journey begins with a call—a moment when God invites us to step out in faith. This August we'll explore what it means to answer that call, confront the unknown, and prepare for the road ahead. To pack only what we need and leave behind what we don't—walking in daily readiness through prayer and Scripture. To learn to trust God's timing, follow His lead, and remember past victories when fear stands in our way. Through it all, we'll run with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal prize.

Are you ready for the adventure?

Every great journey begins with a call—a moment when God invites us to step out in faith. This August we'll explore what it means to answer that call, confront the unknown, and prepare for the road ahead. To pack only what we need and leave behind what we don't—walking in daily readiness through prayer and Scripture. To learn to trust God's timing, follow His lead, and remember past victories when fear stands in our way. Through it all, we'll run with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal prize.

Are you ready for the adventure?

Every great journey begins with a call—a moment when God invites us to step out in faith. This August we'll explore what it means to answer that call, confront the unknown, and prepare for the road ahead. To pack only what we need and leave behind what we don't—walking in daily readiness through prayer and Scripture. To learn to trust God's timing, follow His lead, and remember past victories when fear stands in our way. Through it all, we'll run with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal prize.

Are you ready for the adventure? 

Consecration involves dedicating our lives and all we steward to the glory of God. Rooted in biblical tradition and exemplified throughout Christian history, it shapes our relationship with God and our role in the world. When we understand its significance, it illuminates key aspects of our spirituality and offers practical guidance for living out our faith in the modern world. 

For us today, consecration takes on various forms and has practical implications in our daily life. At its core, it involves a deliberate act of surrendering one’s life, talents, and resources to God’s service.

Consecration involves dedicating our lives and all we steward to the glory of God. Rooted in biblical tradition and exemplified throughout Christian history, it shapes our relationship with God and our role in the world. When we understand its significance, it illuminates key aspects of our spirituality and offers practical guidance for living out our faith in the modern world. 

For us today, consecration takes on various forms and has practical implications in our daily life. At its core, it involves a deliberate act of surrendering one’s life, talents, and resources to God’s service.

Consecration involves dedicating our lives and all we steward to the glory of God. Rooted in biblical tradition and exemplified throughout Christian history, it shapes our relationship with God and our role in the world. When we understand its significance, it illuminates key aspects of our spirituality and offers practical guidance for living out our faith in the modern world.

For us today, consecration takes on various forms and has practical implications in our daily life. At its core, it involves a deliberate act of surrendering one’s life, talents, and resources to God’s service.

As part of our ‘Consecration’ series Pastor Jon takes a look at Isaiah and what his reset looked like.