SERMON NOTES WITH APPLICATION - "I SHALL NOT DIE, BUT LIVE" PT II - PSALM 118:17-24

Series Theme: Intentionality

“I SHALL NOT DIE, BUT LIVE” Pt. II

(Psalm 118:17–24, KJV)General Theme: Hidden Manna

1. I WANT TO BE BETTER (v.17–18)

"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death."

• Big Idea: Struggles are not the end—they are shaping us for better.

• For Christians: Even God’s discipline is a sign of His love. He allows tests to make you stronger, not to destroy you.

• For Non-Christians: Life’s challenges can push you down, or they can grow you up. Choosing to be better instead of bitter changes everything.

• Practical Application:

  • Don’t waste your pain—learn from it.

  • After each trial, ask: How can I be better, not just get through this?

  • Share your survival story—it may help someone else choose life.

2. I WANT TO ENTER IN (v.19–21)

"Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord… thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation."

• Big Idea: God opens doors, but you must choose to walk through them.

• For Christians: The “gate of righteousness” is open—step into new levels of faith, worship, and obedience.

• For Non-Christians: Life offers doors of opportunity. You can stay outside, or you can enter into a new chapter of peace, purpose, and salvation.

• Practical Application:

  • Look for the doors God is opening—in relationships, work, faith, or healing.

  • Don’t just admire the open gate—go in. Take action.

  • Enter with gratitude—make praise your first step through.

3. I WANT TO SEE (v.22–24)

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

• Big Idea: When you look with the right eyes, rejection becomes redirection, and ordinary days become marvelous.

• For Christians: Jesus—the rejected stone—became the cornerstone of salvation. Open your eyes to God’s marvelous work in your life.

• For Non-Christians: Sometimes the very thing overlooked or rejected—maybe even yourself—turns out to be the most important piece.

• Practical Application:

  • Shift your perspective—see rejection as God’s setup for something greater.

  • Each morning declare: This is the day the Lord has made—I will rejoice in it.

  • Train your eyes to look for marvels, not just mess. Gratitude clears your vision.

✅ Key Takeaway:To live intentionally means deciding: I want to be better, I want to enter in, and I want to see. God’s presence turns pain into progress, open gates into opportunities, and rejection into revelation.