This sermon explores the costly reality of discipleship in Matthew 16:21–28. Using the theater metaphor of "pulling focus"—the act of distracting from the scene to draw attention to oneself—she illustrates how our defensive egos hinder authentic connection. Ultimately, the sermon invites us to "lose our lives" by setting aside the constant need for self-protection, discovering that true freedom is found when we shift our focus from our own status to the dignity and needs of others.
