Vox Sunday Sermon – The Overcoming Life

Sermon by Norwalk Campus Pastor Dan Komidas – Vox Church

My Notes–

“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:21-28 NKJV

Yes Lord Yet…

A Canaanite woman in great need approached Jesus, begging him for help. Her daughter was severely afflicted, and she had exhausted every option. Desperate and out of answers, she turned to Jesus.

She wasn’t a Jew — and she knew she wasn’t worthy of Jesus’ help. Yet she confronted him anyway, undeterred by Jesus’ apparent lack of interest and the pushback from his disciples.

But notice this: she wasn’t asking for mercy based on her own goodness or her right to receive it. She was asking for mercy based entirely on Jesus’ goodness. Her faith rested not in what she deserved but in who Jesus is.

The Dark Night of the Soul – The Crisis of Faith

In these moments of spiritual darkness, your faith will either grow or wither. It’s a season of being caught in the confusing in-between — where clarity is absent and doubt feels overwhelming.

Unexpected challenges and setbacks are a fundamental part of life. When we turn to God and are met with what feels like silence, it’s easy to start wondering if He’s really there — or worse, if He cares at all. That’s when faith feels most fragile.

The Canaanite woman shows us what faith in action looks like. She acted on what she believed Jesus would do before she saw any evidence of it. Her faith wasn’t dependent on immediate answers — it was anchored in the goodness of Jesus. Even when she encountered silence and resistance, she held on.

Faith in the dark is not about certainty — it’s about persistence.

Steps to Overcome Adversity

1. Face Your Limitations
   Acknowledge that you are not in control. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you can muscle through it alone. Recognize your need for help. Blessed are the poor in spirit — those who have come to the end of their rope. It’s in this place of humility that God can work.
2. Fight Through the Confusing In-Between
   When you’re caught in the uncertainty, look back on the times when God answered your prayers and provided for you. We can be quick to forget or gloss over how God has been faithful in the past. Take stock of those moments and let them fill you with confidence that He can do it again.
3. Feast on an Overflowing Source of God
   Stay close to your Master. Keep yourself planted, day after day, expecting His abundant overflow to nourish you and meet your needs. God is always near. Remind yourself of His presence by staying in His Word and coming to Him in prayer continuously. Jehovah Jireh — the God who provides — will meet your every need.

My Takeaway

We all face times when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. We are taught to bring those moments to God — to seek Him in prayer and through His word. But understanding how and if God has responded can be a difficult and universal challenge. Sometimes, the silence we experience can leave us feeling abandoned.

In those moments, we can learn from the example of the Canaanite woman. She was desperate, sought Jesus, and initially received what seemed like silence. Yet she persisted in faith and humility — and was ultimately met with grace.

So how can we respond like her?

We must reorient ourselves to our position. We are not in control — but we are deeply loved and cared for by a God who created and sustains the universe. He desires a personal relationship with us — not just for this life, but for eternity. When we truly grasp that nothing can separate us from His love, the weight of our worldly struggles becomes far more manageable.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV