Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions and Answers: Isaiah 1:3

What does the prophet Isaiah identify as the primary cause of mankind's troubles?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Isaiah 1:3, mankind's troubles are entirely due to mankind itself through sin and rebellion against God. The prophet identifies that "the human race is itself responsible for its present predicament." Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "sin is rebellion, revolt against God" as stated in Isaiah 1:2: "I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me." This rebellion is the root cause of all human troubles.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones compare human behavior to that of oxen and donkeys?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that Isaiah deliberately chose oxen and donkeys as examples because they are considered the most stupid and obstinate animals. Yet despite their stupidity, "the ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" - they recognize their master and the source of their food. Humans, by contrast, are more foolish than these animals because they don't recognize their Creator and Provider. As Lloyd-Jones states, "Man who has been made lord of creation behaves in a manner that is more stupid and ridiculous even than the ox or the ass."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the relationship between sin and ignorance?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that sin blinds the human mind and leads to ignorance. He says, "Sin is that which blinds the mind of men and renders him ignorant and incapable of thought." He quotes the apostle Paul who described himself as having "obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief" and explains that the spiritual blindness caused by sin prevents people from recognizing truth. Lloyd-Jones states that "the main trouble in the world at this moment is that man is ignorant and refuses to think."

What is the common misconception about Christianity that Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the misconception that Christianity is "based entirely upon the failure to think." He challenges the notion that religious people are merely emotional and don't use their intellect, while non-believers are the true thinkers. He argues that the opposite is true—the Bible constantly calls people to think, reason, and consider their position. As Lloyd-Jones notes: "the whole message here is, as it is everywhere else in the Bible, that the facts are the exact opposite of that, and that the whole trouble with men as he is is that he doesn't think, he doesn't reason."

According to the sermon, what is the most important thing that mankind is ignorant about?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, mankind is most ignorant about "God, man himself, the soul. How to live, how to die, what happens in eternity." He explains that while people may have vast knowledge about science, philosophy, and art, they remain ignorant about "the one thing that matters"—salvation in Christ and reconciliation with God. Lloyd-Jones states, "The terrible part of it all and the ultimate tragedy is this, that men is ignorant of the excellence of the fodder and the provision and the food which God supplies," which he explains is the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define what a true "fool" is according to the Bible?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines a biblical fool as "an ignorant person, a simpleton, a dullard." He explains that a fool is "a man who's in a most precarious position, but who says, 'I'm all right, everything's going well.' He won't stop and listen. And if you try and get him to listen, he rejects it all." According to Lloyd-Jones, the Bible consistently portrays mankind in its fallen state as foolish because people refuse to consider their true spiritual condition, reject divine instruction, and delude themselves about their relationship with God.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about why we need to understand our need before hearing the gospel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "nobody will believe the gospel until he sees his need of it." He explains that the biblical order is always repentance first, then faith—"repentance, which is toward God and the faith, which is toward the Lord Jesus Christ." He argues that many people remain uninterested in Christianity because "they've never seen any need of it." That's why Lloyd-Jones begins by establishing humanity's sinful condition and need for salvation before presenting the solution in Christ, saying: "The first thing we've got to do is to show and to establish the need."