Questions for Reflection: Sunday, October 26, 2025

On Sunday, October 26, 2025, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Navigating the Valley of the Shadows” (Psalm 23:4). Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

When was the last time you felt you were experiencing life in the Valley of the Shadow, when ‘Mr. Hardship barged into your life’? What were some of the details? What were some of your feelings?
Bruce talked about the main character from the movie Bruce Almighty and how he struggled with his life events and found himself shouting to heaven, Why? Why Lord? It’s such a common response we have. Why is it so common?
Bruce mentioned three things we should remember when we find ourselves in the Valley of the Shadow. What were those three things? Which one of those three things are you most prone to forget or lose sight of?
Why should God’s sovereignty be a comfort to us?
Can Jesus really understand and sympathize with us when we found ourselves Navigating the Valley of the Shadow? What events from His life on earth would Indicate that He can?
Edith Schaeffer was quoted as saying, The most effective school to train comforters Is the school of life. Elaborate on that idea.
Joe Stowell said that, “faith means grabbing hold of His character, and clinging to God’s promises.” How can we practically do that?
Vance Havner was quoted as saying, God marks some of our days “will explain later.” Elaborate on what you think that “later” will be like.
Take some time to pray for someone you know who is currently ‘Navigating the Valley of the Shadow.

Sneak Peek – Sunday, October 26, 2025

Hey Wildwood Family!

Finally…we’ve been blessed with some wonderful moisture! I’ve just done some overseeding on my fescue lawn and the water is welcome.

We do want you to be in prayer for the Father-Daughter campout this weekend in the Wichita mountains. Pray for no severe storms that could disrupt a great getaway and minimize the ability to hike around.

Also, the Father-Son campout is scheduled for November 7-9. It’s not too late to learn more and register. Info is found at wildwoodchurch.org/adult

This Sunday is the deadline for returning any Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes so bring those boxes of blessings with you!

Just a heads up…the gift collection for The Mission Christmas Shoppe will launch the first Sunday of November. Look for the gift trees in the Gathering Hall. Our desire is to again bless 600+ underprivileged kids and their families this year. We’d love for you and your family to have a part in it!

God has recently been leading me to speak on the issue of trials and life difficulties, something we all deal with from time to time. The title I’ve given to the message is, Navigating the Valley of the Shadow. The title is drawn from Psalm 23:4 where it talks about walking through “the valley of the shadow of death” (ESV). Many translations render the phrase, “the valley of deep darkness” (NASB margin, NET, NIV, CSB).

All of us experience times when we are in “the valley of deep darkness.” At any given time, we are either in that valley now, just came out of the valley, or about to enter the valley. When we find ourselves in the dark valley, how should we navigate that walk? What do we need to remember? How should we respond? We plan to address those questions in a frank manner with the message, Navigating the Valley of the Shadow on Sunday.

See you on Sunday!

Bruce

Sermon Questions – Blessed 2, part 2

On Sunday, October 19, 2025 Bruce Hess preached a message based on Romans 8:35, 38-39. This message was part 2 of the “Blessed 2” series. Below you will find questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion.

What do you think are some of God’s purposes in choosing to grant significant spiritual blessings to us as Christ followers?

Some people in the Christian world seem to embrace what one might call a “Hope so” salvation (it feels tentative to them). Others seem to embrace what one might call “Know so” salvation (it is viewed as eternally assured). Why the differences? How does Scripture shed light on this?

What do you think are the reasons why Paul goes into so much detail in Romans 8:35, 37-39?

Ephesians 2:6-7 makes a startling claim about us as followers of Jesus. How much have you heard that principle taught? What ramifications does our spiritual position have in our everyday life? How should it impact our lives? (take special note of Colossians 3:1-2; 5; 8-9; 12-17)

Bruce shared that John Stott said: Our confidence is not in our love for Him, which is frail, fickle, and faltering, but in His love for us, which is steadfast, faithful, and persevering. What are the ramifications of such a statement?

Take some time to praise our Heavenly Father for our great blessings (list some of them!).

Sneak Peek – October 19, 2025

Hey Wildwood Family!

Looks like the next day or two may be the last remnants of the “delayed fall” weather we’ve experienced for months. I have to admit, I’m ready to start experiencing more cool weather. I truly love experiencing seasons that have distinct changes of weather!

As we said last week, fall means campouts and again Wildwood has organized both a Father-Daughter campout (October 24-26) and a Father-Son campout (November 7-9). I have great memories of those with my family, although there was yet to be a Father-Daughter campout when Rebekah and Emily were growing up. Take advantage of this opportunity—our kids grow up faster than we’re aware. You can sign up by going to wildwoodchurch.org/adult

Our facility expansion continues to make significant progress. The new south parking lot bridge is a joy to walk on. They will likely pour the pad for the new student/gym building next week. Also, the framing in the old gym continues to make significant progress (the lower level will be children’s expansion, the upper level will be a new large multi-purpose room).

I’m very excited about this Sunday’s message in the Blessed! 2 series. We will be covering the blessing found in Romans 8:35, 37-39. These verses conclude many of the blessings found in Romans 8 with a “veritable crescendo of the blessing of assurance and security” for you and me. Man, it has been a RICH week preparing this message.

Come Sunday and be reminded of another of our great blessings from our Heavenly Father! We are reminded that, Nothing Can Separate us from the Love of God.

See you Sunday!!

Bruce

A Robinson Family Update

October 16, 2025

Dear friends,

Kimberly and I want to share a brief update about a new trial we are facing. For about a month now, Kimberly has been going through a series of tests that have now confirmed that she has lung cancer. In the next few weeks the treatment plan will be identified and started. We are resting in the security of our loving God in this moment, enjoying the sure foundation that only He can provide. We know that nothing happens in our lives that God does not permit or allow. We also know that He loves us and works all things together for our good. Therefore, we invite you to pray with us for God to be glorified in this and for all to continue to see the goodness of God in this moment.

Of course we are praying (and invite you to pray with us) for the cancer to be eradicated or driven into remission very soon. We think that would be a great way for God to be glorified in this! But God can and will be glorified in any way this develops – on that we have full confidence.

Also, anyone who has ever faced a difficulty like this knows that our emotions and where we focus wax and wane from moment to moment, but we want to continue to have “eyes to see and ears to hear” the goodness of God toward us every day. Indeed, His mercies are new every morning, and we have experienced His goodness already throughout this process. Pray we would continue to see it and acknowledge it along the way.

Thank you for trusting God with us in the days ahead.

In Christ,

Mark and Kimberly

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8

Questions for Reflection: October 12, 2025

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Jesus’ Intercession for us” (Romans 8:34) from our BLESSED! 2 series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

Why can we be so inclined to lose sight of many of the ways that God has blessed us?
Bruce said what we often need is divine perspective, spiritual encouragement… we need to “remember.” What are some practical ways we can do that?
List some of the practical benefits of knowing Jesus serves as our Advocate (legaal dimension) beofre the Father in heaven.
List some of the practical benefits of knowing Jesus intercedes as our High Priest in heaven and that He lives to pray for us.
R. Kent Hughes has said this: Jesus, our high priest, has an unequalled capacity for sympathy (Hebrews 4:15). It goes far beyond the intellectual, because it is truly experiential. Jesus does not just imagine how we feel-He feels it! Whatever we may be going through, there is not a note we can play, not a melody or a dirge, no minor key, no discordant note, that does not evoke a “sympathetic resonance” in Jesus. What does that mean for us in everyday life?
How can we recall the blessing of Jesus’ intercession for us in such a way that it seres as a “sure and steadfast anchor for our soul” (Hebrews 6:19)?
Take some time to praise God for His great blessings to us.

Sneak Peek – October 12, 2025

Hey Wildwood Family!

For those who have fall break this week, I hope it is a refreshing break for you and your family! The weather is certainly mild—more so than for many years.

A couple of special things to note: First, for those who are filling Operation Christmas Child boxes, the deadline to return them is the last Sunday of the month, October 26th. Second, fall means campouts and again this fall Wildwood has organized both a Father-Daughter campout (October 24-26) and a Father-Son campout (November 7-9). I have great memories of those with my family! You can sign up by going to wildwoodchurch.org/adult

This Sunday and next I am going to reprise the Blessed! series from this past summer. Ephesians 1:3 tells us that God has blessed us (past tense) with every spiritual blessing. God has given us a plethora of spiritual blessings that we can lose sight of at times. We plan to mine two more of those blessings from Romans chapter 8. First up will be the blessing of Jesus’ Intercession for us from Romans 8:34. This one is often overlooked and has some intriguing elements that may even catch some of us off guard. I’m excited to have the opportunity to open the Scriptures with you again! Please read Psalm 19:7-11 to be refreshed about the great benefits of God’s Word.

See you Sunday!
Bruce

Scarlet Thread (Part 9) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, October 5 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the life of Isaiah. This message was part 9 of the “Scarlet Thread” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12
How does knowing that Jesus KNEW the suffering that awaited Him on earth (and came anyway) impact the way you think about Jesus and His interest in the Father’s will and our well-being?
There are 80+ allusions in the New Testament to Isaiah’s “Servant Song” of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. What are some of the things you see in this song that point to Jesus?
Isaiah’s song makes it clear that Jesus died for OUR SIN. This was no accident, it was an operation. It was a necessary thing to save us from the consequences of our rebellion against God. What is your attitude toward your sin? Do you tend to minimize it (it’s not that big a deal)? Blame others for it (I only sinned because you/they _________)? Or do you own and confess your sin, knowing it is a serious matter?
This week concludes our 9 week journey through the Old Testament. What has stood out to you the most from this series? Any particular change in your life or new perspective you have developed because of this series?
What stands out to you most from this message? Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen offline, click the link to download audio:

Scarlet Thread #9 10.5.25

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube live stream:

Scarlet Thread (part 9) Sermon Preview

Jesus Christ is my Savior. If you know nothing else about me, please know this!

Embedded in that blessed statement are a few important truths.

TRUTH #1: The statement begins with JESUS, just as my eternal hope begins with Him, and His grace. He created me, and by His grace I have been born again spiritually.

TRUTH #2: CHRIST is not Jesus’ last name … it is a title. It means that Jesus is a one and only. He is fully God and fully man, and came to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah (“Christ” is the Greek word for the Hebrew word “Messiah”).

TRUTH #3: Jesus Christ IS. Jesus deserves to be either spoken of in the present tense (highlighting His existence), or to be spoken of in the eternal (the One who was, and is, and always will be). Just as God told Moses from the burning bush that His name was “I am,” so also Jesus is.

TRUTH #4: Jesus Christ is MY SAVIOR. This reveals the recognition that I am in need of saving! I have sinned before a holy God and fallen short of His glorious standard. In my sinfulness I am so in need that my only hope for forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and an eternity in heaven and not hell is found in the rescue I have found in His work upon the cross on my behalf. Jesus died for my sins. Trusting in Him, I am forgiven and justified before God, and have confidence before God like a child approaching the loving embrace of the best of Fathers.

JESUS CHRIST IS MY SAVIOR.

Do you know Him?

Isaiah the prophet did. Though he lived 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Isaiah (pushed along by the Holy Spirit) wrote of Jesus … His life, His death, and His resurrection. Isaiah’s prophecies are some of the over 300 Old Testament prophecies given about the coming of Jesus.

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will wrap up our sermon series “Scarlet Thread” as we see the strongest shadows of this series of Jesus in the Old Testament as we look at Isaiah 53:1-12 together. Join us for the ninth and final message in this series.

My prayer is that we might all look to Jesus after reading Isaiah 53, and say:

JESUS CHRIST IS MY SAVIOR.

See you Sunday, October 5 for a time of singing, prayer, study of God’s Word, and sharing the Lord’s Supper together in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service. See you there … and bring friends!

Scarlet Thread (Part 8) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the books of 1 and 2 Kings(the life of Elijah). This message was part 8 of the “Scarlet Thread” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Skim through 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2 to familiarize yourself with the life of Elijah.
When you look through Elijah’s life and ministry, what things do you see him do that remind you of things from the earthly ministry of Jesus? In what sense were Jesus’ works EVEN BETTER than what the Lord did through Elijah?
Jesus is not just a historical figure or a person in a book. He is the Son of God who cares for you! How does remembering who He is give you comfort in the midst of your life today?
The Old Testament prophets pointed to Jesus. They predicted His life in vivid detail. Some estimate over 300 prophecies are made in the Old Testament about Jesus. We reviewed eight of those prophecies this morning. How does seeing these prophecies fulfilled increase your faith that Jesus is indeed LORD as He claimed to be?
Can you think of anyone that God might want you to talk with and share some of these prophecies about who Jesus was? Pray that God might use His Word to help convince those you know about the true identity of Jesus and our need to trust in Him.
What stands out to you most from this message? Any particular takeaway?