A Free Salvation
A Sermon on Isaiah 5:1-7
Originally preached Jan. 26, 1964
Scripture
1Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the …
Sermon Description
It is common to hear that the Bible is outdated, that it was written so long ago that it no longer has any relevance for the “advanced” world today. The Bible has one clear message throughout— why the world is as it is, and how it can be fixed. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:1–7 titled “A Free Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds that far from being too old and irrelevant, Scripture is the only tool one can use to help the state of the world today because it speaks to the core questions and desires with which every generation from the dawn of time has wrestled. The first point the passage addresses is the root of the issues faced today. Humanity’s ultimate trouble, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is that they do not know and believe the truth about themselves, and thus act accordingly. This passage reinforces the idea that people are not evolved animals but rather beings created in the image of God. The second point touches on the unreasonable nature of human behavior and conduct in light of what God has revealed about Himself. Third, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that human conduct is inexcusable— God has done everything that could be done for them, and yet they still choose rebellion. The solution is repentance from sins—turning from disobedience against God and His commands—and trusting in Jesus for forgiveness of sins.
Sermon Breakdown
- Man is in trouble because he does not know the truth about himself. He does not realize he is created by God and meant to live for God.
- The world is baffled about the cause of its troubles and unhappiness. The Bible provides the answer: man's sin and rebellion against God.
- God made man in His image and placed him in a perfect environment (the garden of Eden). He provided and cared for man.
- God expected man to live righteously and obey His law. But man rebelled against God.
- Man's behavior is utterly unreasonable. There is nothing wrong with God's law and demands. Man's sin is irrational.
- Man produces the opposite of what he was meant to produce. Instead of good fruit, he produces "wild grapes" - bitter, useless, and foul results.
- Man is inexcusable in his sin. God has done everything necessary for man's salvation, even sending His Son to die for man. Man has no excuse.
- Because of man's sin and rejection of God, God withholds His blessing, protection, and allows man's efforts to become desolate. Life is filled with "thorns and briars."
- The only hope for man and the world is to repent, believe in Christ, and be reconciled to God. Salvation is still offered, but for how much longer?
Sermon Q&A
Key Questions from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Isaiah 5:1-7
What is the parable of the vineyard in Isaiah 5 about?
In this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Isaiah 5:1-7 presents a poem or song about a vineyard. The parable depicts a man who purchased a fruitful hill, removed stones, built a fence around it, constructed a tower, and planted choice vines. Despite all his care and preparation, the vineyard produced only wild, bitter grapes instead of good fruit. This parable represents God's relationship with Israel, who failed to produce the righteous fruit He expected despite His perfect provision.
How does the vineyard parable apply to all of humanity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that while the parable directly addresses Israel, it applies to all humanity. He states: "The nation of Israel is but a kind of specimen, a specimen nation, a type which God has set forth in order that through her he may speak to the whole of mankind." The parable illustrates mankind's fundamental problem - rebellion against God despite His perfect provision and care - making it relevant to every person and nation throughout history.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is mankind's chief trouble?
Lloyd-Jones asserts that "man's ultimate trouble is that he doesn't know the truth about himself." Despite modern knowledge and psychological theories, humanity remains ignorant about its true nature and purpose. People fail to recognize they are uniquely created by God, in His image, and made for relationship with Him. This ignorance leads to rebellion, as people reject their special status and responsibilities before God.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe God's expectations for humanity?
God expected "judgment" (justice) and "righteousness" from His vineyard. As Lloyd-Jones explains, God created humans in His image and intended them to reflect His character through righteous living. Unlike animals that simply follow instincts, humans were designed to be "master of our faculties instead of to be governed by them." God expects humanity to live according to His moral laws, to be disciplined, controlled, pure, and to be companions with Him.
What makes human sin so inexcusable according to this sermon?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the "utter inexcusability of man" through God's question: "What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?" God has done everything possible for humanity's welfare - creating us perfectly, providing for us through providence, instructing us through His law, showing patience and forgiveness, sending warnings, and ultimately giving "his only begotten son" as the ultimate sacrifice. Given such comprehensive provision, humanity has no excuse for rebellion.
What are the consequences of mankind's rejection of God?
The consequences are severe. God withdraws His blessings, protection, and restraints. Lloyd-Jones interprets the parable's language about removing hedges and walls to mean that God allows evil forces to flood in when people reject His protection. God "will not allow men to succeed and to be happy in this world" while in rebellion. Instead of producing good fruit, human society produces "briars and thorns" - suffering, pain, and anguish that were never part of God's original design.
What is the only hope for humanity according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
The only hope is repentance and faith in Christ. Lloyd-Jones urges listeners to "realize the irrationality and the inexcusability of sin and to go to God in penitence and in contrition." People must acknowledge they were wrong about themselves and their need for God, confess their sins, and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. While the "day of grace" remains, people must enter through "the gate of salvation" to receive God's forgiveness and become new creatures.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.