EasterYear A

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 3, 2026

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Second Reading

Colossians 3:1-4

395 illustrations

LensLines™ — One Text. Seventeen Voices.

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UniversalClassic

80:1-2, 8-19 anchors us in God’s character: He speaks, acts, and calls us to faithful response.

Arminian/WesleyanPastoral

Luke 16:19-31, God’s love meets you before you’re ready—and strengthens you to say yes.

PentecostalEdgy

Timothy 3:14-4:5 exposes our control; the Spirit refuses to be managed—today, not someday.

Movie Analogy

Chariots of Fire: Seek First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)

In Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell refuses to run his Olympic heat on Sunday—the Sabbath. He's mocked, pressured, called unpatriotic. But he's already decided: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Working as Unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23)

In Jiro Dreams of Sushi, 85-year-old Jiro Ono has made sushi for over sixty years. His restaurant has three Michelin stars. He still wakes early, still perfects his craft, still dreams of better sushi.

Colossians 3:23Universalvocationexcellence

Movie Analogy

Gladiator: What We Do in Life Echoes in Eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Before the first battle, Maximus rallies his men: "What we do in life echoes in eternity." It's a soldier's cry, but it carries theological weight. Paul writes: "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18Universaleternitylegacy

Movie Analogy

Gladiator: Strength and Honor (Philippians 4:8)

"Strength and honor"—the greeting shared between Maximus and his loyal soldiers. Two words that defined their brotherhood and their code.

Philippians 4:8Universalintegrityhonor

Movie Analogy

The Intern: Whatever You Do, Do It Well (Colossians 3:23)

In The Intern, 70-year-old Ben Whittaker becomes an intern at an online fashion company. He could rest on retirement, but he wants to contribute. He brings old-school work ethic to a startup culture—ironing his handkerchief, arriving early, paying attention.

Colossians 3:23Universalworkintegrity

Movie Analogy

The Bourne Identity: The Old Has Gone (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In The Bourne Identity, Jason Bourne wakes with no memory of who he was—only skills and instincts. As his past resurfaces, he must choose: become the assassin he was, or become someone new. He chooses new.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Colossians 3:1-4

Chariots of Fire: Seek First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)

Other readings this Sunday

Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Working as Unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23)

Gladiator: What We Do in Life Echoes in Eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Gladiator: Strength and Honor (Philippians 4:8)

The Intern: Whatever You Do, Do It Well (Colossians 3:23)

The Bourne Identity: The Old Has Gone (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Colossians 3:1-4 — Charismatic (edgy)

Colossians 3:1-4 — Roman Catholic (classic)

Colossians 3:1-11 — Traditional (pastoral)

Colossians 3:1-4 — Christocentric (pastoral)

Colossians 3:1-11 — Christocentric (edgy)

Colossians 3:1-4 — Pentecostal (classic)

Colossians 3 — Baptist (pastoral)

Colossians 3:1-11 — Liberation Theology (classic)

Colossians 3:1-4 — Anglican (classic)

Colossians 3:1-4 — Baptist (classic)

Colossians 3 — Christocentric (classic)

Colossians 3 — Anglican (classic)

Colossians 3 — Missional (classic)

Colossians 3:1-11 — Traditional (edgy)

Colossians 3 — Liberation Theology (pastoral)

Colossians 3 — Black Church (pastoral)

Colossians 3 — Traditional (edgy)

Colossians 3:1-4 — Traditional (classic)