#24 The Real Christmas Story The Cost of Discipleship

#24 The Real Christmas Story The Cost of Discipleship Luke 14:25-35 Dr. Jim Phillips preaches this message on the mission field. If anyone would like to make a donation to help no matter how small. It will be appreciated. Thank you. Our Address in Fish Lake Valley is POB 121 Dyer, Nevada 89010 or HC 72 Box 19102 Fish Lake Valley Nevada 89010. You Can make your donation through paypal or any credit card. IRS EIN # 82-5114777 The sermon centers on the radical cost of discipleship, drawing from Jesus' teachings in Luke 14:25–35, where He demands total allegiance, even to the point of hating family and renouncing all possessions. It emphasizes that true discipleship requires a willingness to endure loss, persecution, and social rejection, illustrated through historical examples like the Apostle Paul and early Christians who were cast out, disowned, and forced into exile. The parables of the tower builder and the king preparing for war underscore the necessity of counting the cost before committing to follow Christ, warning that half-hearted commitment leads to shame and failure. The metaphor of salt—valuable for preservation and flavor, yet useless when it loses its taste—serves as a sobering reminder that believers must remain spiritually effective. The message is both convicting and comforting: while the world offers ease, the Christian life demands sacrifice, yet those who give everything find eternal reward and purpose, especially in the face of global persecution and spiritual hunger.