Greed
Light, 9 August 2026
09 08 26 Filed in: Sermons | Ephesians: Our True Identity
Light
Ephesians: Finding Our True Identity
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
August 9, 2026
Ephesians 5:3-14
Series Big Idea: For followers of Jesus, we find our true identity in Christ.
Big Idea: Followers of Jesus are children of light, shining like stars in a dark world.
A few weeks ago, Heather and I met our oldest, Kailey, and her husband, Andrew, in Townsend, Tennessee. One of the highlights was going with them and Andrew’s mom to Tuckaleechee Caverns. It was quite the experience. There’s an entirely different world living inside this mountain discovered a few generations ago by two boys who later made it suitable for tours.
At one point in our adventure, the guide shut off all of the lights. We were in complete and total darkness. Rarely do we experience a complete absence of light on our electricity-filled planet.
In the cavern, the smallest light—even a candle—could pierce the darkness.
We live in a spiritually dark world. This is nothing new. It’s been true since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. Jesus is the light of the world, and his followers are children of light, shining like stars in a dark world.
Throughout our study of this short book Paul wrote to early Christians about 2000 years ago, we’ve covered a variety of instructions for godly living that contrast with the world. In a world of grey, we see stark differences between Jesus and the world, good and evil, light and darkness.
Jesus – good – light World – evil - dark
You can’t follow Jesus and the world. Christians are to do life differently. Last week we began chapter five:
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Now Paul continues,
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (Ephesians 5:3)
Oh boy! We could study this one for a long time! Paul highlights three things.
First, sexual immorality. The original Greek word, porneia, might sound familiar. It’s where our world pornography is derived. Let me explain this in simple terms: any sexual activity outside of a marriage between a husband and wife. God created sex and it’s a wonderful invention, not only for procreation and mutual pleasure but also a bond between two people, mirroring Christ and the Church. It is a wonderful thing when done God’s way, but like fire in a fireplace, if it goes beyond its proper use, it can be deadly. Literally.
In Paul’s day, people thought the body was separate from the soul, so they believed one did not impact the other, which we know today is not true. The technical term is Gnosticism. During this time in the Roman empire, it was expected for men to have a mistress, and some people didn’t think twice about fornication and adultery. Therefore, it was radical for Paul to speak out against such things, perhaps even more radical than it is today in our sex-crazed culture.
I know this is a sensitive subject for many. It’s a place of brokenness. The world has rewritten God’s book and made a mockery out of this sacred institution. Some of the greatest pain and shame centers around abuse and sin in this arena. Let me make one important statement: forgiveness is available. As I often say, nothing you can do can make God love you less than He already does. Don’t let the enemy whisper in your ear that you’re beyond God’s forgiveness. Jesus died for your sins…all of them.
Because Paul recognized the pain and destruction of sexual immorality, he says, “not even a hint.” He knew nothing of online porn, VR, AI, and the hosts of other deviant tools we have—often in our pockets. But he understood purity and holiness. If you need help in this area—and many of you do—I want to encourage you to reach out to a pastor, our church office, visit https://xxxchurch.com, or check out Recovery Alive, Tuesdays at New Life Church in Findlay (which is for anyone dealing with hurts, habits, or hangups).
Paul also mentions any kind of impurity and greed. Since none of you struggle with those, we can move on! Ha!
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4)
We looked at this last week. Jesus said,
What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 6:45b, NLT)
An attitude of gratitude will change us and those around us.
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5)
Yikes! Who wants to fit into this scenario?
The second of the Ten Commandments says,
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. (Exodus 20:4, NLT)
We often think of idols as statues of rock or wood, but Paul makes it clear that immoral, impure, and greedy things can separate us from God. Money is one of the greatest idols in our culture. Greed will always leaving you wanting more.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:6-7)
God’s wrath is real and will be poured out upon the disobedient, the unrepentant.
Obviously, we don’t want to avoid being with sinners but rather avoid following their sinful behavior. That’s the idea of being in the world but not of the world.
And obviously we are all sinners. If perfection was the requirement, this room would be empty! The difference between the sins of Christians and the sins of the world is Jesus. You must be born again. You must repent and turn away from your sins, receiving the gift of grace paid for by Jesus on the cross. Christians aren’t perfect, but we are seeking to follow the perfect example of Christ.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)
Here’s the contrast again between darkness and light. Good fruit comes from the Holy Spirit.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12)
These days it seems like hardly anything is done in secret! People have no shame! Much of what even entertains us is sinful behavior.
The point is followers of Jesus are not to live in the darkness but live like children of the light. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). The more time we spend with Jesus and the closer we get to the light, the greater we will reflect Christ to the world.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:13-14)
Ephesians: Finding Our True Identity
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
August 9, 2026
Ephesians 5:3-14
Series Big Idea: For followers of Jesus, we find our true identity in Christ.
Big Idea: Followers of Jesus are children of light, shining like stars in a dark world.
A few weeks ago, Heather and I met our oldest, Kailey, and her husband, Andrew, in Townsend, Tennessee. One of the highlights was going with them and Andrew’s mom to Tuckaleechee Caverns. It was quite the experience. There’s an entirely different world living inside this mountain discovered a few generations ago by two boys who later made it suitable for tours.
At one point in our adventure, the guide shut off all of the lights. We were in complete and total darkness. Rarely do we experience a complete absence of light on our electricity-filled planet.
In the cavern, the smallest light—even a candle—could pierce the darkness.
We live in a spiritually dark world. This is nothing new. It’s been true since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. Jesus is the light of the world, and his followers are children of light, shining like stars in a dark world.
Throughout our study of this short book Paul wrote to early Christians about 2000 years ago, we’ve covered a variety of instructions for godly living that contrast with the world. In a world of grey, we see stark differences between Jesus and the world, good and evil, light and darkness.
Jesus – good – light World – evil - dark
You can’t follow Jesus and the world. Christians are to do life differently. Last week we began chapter five:
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Now Paul continues,
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (Ephesians 5:3)
Oh boy! We could study this one for a long time! Paul highlights three things.
First, sexual immorality. The original Greek word, porneia, might sound familiar. It’s where our world pornography is derived. Let me explain this in simple terms: any sexual activity outside of a marriage between a husband and wife. God created sex and it’s a wonderful invention, not only for procreation and mutual pleasure but also a bond between two people, mirroring Christ and the Church. It is a wonderful thing when done God’s way, but like fire in a fireplace, if it goes beyond its proper use, it can be deadly. Literally.
In Paul’s day, people thought the body was separate from the soul, so they believed one did not impact the other, which we know today is not true. The technical term is Gnosticism. During this time in the Roman empire, it was expected for men to have a mistress, and some people didn’t think twice about fornication and adultery. Therefore, it was radical for Paul to speak out against such things, perhaps even more radical than it is today in our sex-crazed culture.
I know this is a sensitive subject for many. It’s a place of brokenness. The world has rewritten God’s book and made a mockery out of this sacred institution. Some of the greatest pain and shame centers around abuse and sin in this arena. Let me make one important statement: forgiveness is available. As I often say, nothing you can do can make God love you less than He already does. Don’t let the enemy whisper in your ear that you’re beyond God’s forgiveness. Jesus died for your sins…all of them.
Because Paul recognized the pain and destruction of sexual immorality, he says, “not even a hint.” He knew nothing of online porn, VR, AI, and the hosts of other deviant tools we have—often in our pockets. But he understood purity and holiness. If you need help in this area—and many of you do—I want to encourage you to reach out to a pastor, our church office, visit https://xxxchurch.com, or check out Recovery Alive, Tuesdays at New Life Church in Findlay (which is for anyone dealing with hurts, habits, or hangups).
Paul also mentions any kind of impurity and greed. Since none of you struggle with those, we can move on! Ha!
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4)
We looked at this last week. Jesus said,
What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 6:45b, NLT)
An attitude of gratitude will change us and those around us.
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5)
Yikes! Who wants to fit into this scenario?
The second of the Ten Commandments says,
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. (Exodus 20:4, NLT)
We often think of idols as statues of rock or wood, but Paul makes it clear that immoral, impure, and greedy things can separate us from God. Money is one of the greatest idols in our culture. Greed will always leaving you wanting more.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:6-7)
God’s wrath is real and will be poured out upon the disobedient, the unrepentant.
Obviously, we don’t want to avoid being with sinners but rather avoid following their sinful behavior. That’s the idea of being in the world but not of the world.
And obviously we are all sinners. If perfection was the requirement, this room would be empty! The difference between the sins of Christians and the sins of the world is Jesus. You must be born again. You must repent and turn away from your sins, receiving the gift of grace paid for by Jesus on the cross. Christians aren’t perfect, but we are seeking to follow the perfect example of Christ.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)
Here’s the contrast again between darkness and light. Good fruit comes from the Holy Spirit.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12)
These days it seems like hardly anything is done in secret! People have no shame! Much of what even entertains us is sinful behavior.
The point is followers of Jesus are not to live in the darkness but live like children of the light. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). The more time we spend with Jesus and the closer we get to the light, the greater we will reflect Christ to the world.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:13-14)
We can probably all think of examples of people being exposed for the sins done in secret, some of them even Christian celebrities. One day, everything will be exposed. There will be nowhere to hide on Judgment Day…only a Savior who stands ready to forgive those who have received his gift of grace.
So What?
Jesus is the light of the world.
The light of Jesus produces good fruit: benevolence, truth, and righteousness.
The light of Jesus allows us to discern between good and evil.
The light of Jesus lives in every believer as we spend time in worship, prayer, and study. We need Jesus for ourselves and others. As the video said, “Shine in the broken places. Shine in the everyday moments. Shine because he shines through you.”
This week it may look like expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving, serving others, offering a kind word, giving to someone in need, praying for a friend, inviting someone to grab coffee, or volunteering here or somewhere else in our community such as City Mission, Welcome to a New Life, or the Women’s Resource Center.
As Heather said last week, KFC: kindness, forgiveness, compassion.
Whatever you do this week, spend time with Jesus, draw near to the light of Christ, and
Go light your world!