09-19-2025 PART 3: From Hardness to Healing: Faith Restored

Section 1

Mark 16:14 records a striking scene: Jesus appears to the eleven and rebukes them for unbelief and hardness of heart, even after multiple witnesses testified to His resurrection. These same disciples had walked with Him, watched Lazarus raised, blind eyes opened, lame legs strengthened, and demons expelled—yet still struggled to believe. The text highlights that doubt is not foreign even to those closest to Christ. It is a sobering reminder that miracles alone do not guarantee faith; hearts must be softened by trust in the living Lord.

Section 2

Right in the middle of this teaching, a caller named Gemma joins, sharing both personal recovery and sorrow over a fallen church leader. Her grief reflects the reality that sin wounds more than one person—it ripples through families and congregations. David responds by pointing to Peter’s denial and restoration, showing that while leaders fail, redemption remains possible. The Church must hurt with the hurting, pray for restoration, and guard against letting one person’s fall drive others away from Christ. Ministry, at its best, imitates Jesus—grieving with those who grieve and calling the broken back to grace.

Section 3

The teaching circles back: Jesus rebukes unbelief not to condemn but to correct. “Hardness of heart” carries meanings of stubbornness, refusal, and suspicion—traits that weaken faith. Yet even disciples in failure became unified and bold once the Spirit moved in Acts. The call is to release suspicion and embrace trust: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” The answer is found in Proverbs 3:5–6—trusting the Lord wholly, acknowledging Him in all ways, and letting Him direct the path. Faith overcomes unbelief when the heart yields fully to Him.