This Modern Condition
A Sermon on Materialism from Isaiah 5:8-10
Originally preached Feb. 2, 1964
Scripture
8¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! 9In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even …
Sermon Description
Materialism is a trap so subtle that most probably do not even realize they are bound to it. It calls from every crevice of the culture and seeks to measure life by this world, its focus entirely on the here-and-now and what can be gained, from riches, to popularity, to belongings. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:8–10 titled “This Modern Condition,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches a warning against this trap, reminding of the dangers of living in a mindset enraptured by this temporary world. Every second Christians spend longing for the world is a second they are not gazing on the goodness of their God. What are some things he urges the listener to note? First, materialism’s smallness—it takes all of life and measures it by what someone has. Second, it is selfish—the logical outcome of this worldview is for a person to think entirely of themselves and their existence here and how they can progress. What causes materialism? Ultimately, that God is not in a person’s thoughts. Naturally, when people cease thinking eternally, they begin to focus on this world more. Scripture issues several warnings against this, and God has acted on these warnings throughout history. Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts the listener to care for their souls and to not put off addressing spiritual things. After all, what advantage is it to someone if they gain all this world has and yet loses their soul in the end?
Sermon Breakdown
- The prophet Isaiah delivers a message of warning to the nation of Israel.
- God pronounces woe upon those who accumulate houses and land greedily.
- Materialism and worldliness were prevalent sins in Israel during Isaiah's time.
- The characteristics of materialism include:
- Smallness: Life is reduced to possessions.
- Debasement: Life revolves around status symbols and goods.
- Greed: There is an insatiable desire for more houses, land, and possessions.
- Selfishness: There is no concern for others, only the accumulation of wealth for oneself.
- The root cause of materialism is forgetting God. Man sees himself as autonomous and the center of life.
- God will punish materialism. He will turn the houses and lands of the greedy into desolation.
- Examples of God's punishment of materialism and greed include:
- The flood in Noah's day
- The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
- The demise of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel
- The fall of great empires like Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, and Rome
- Materialism is evident in the modern world. There is a lack of interest in spiritual things and an obsession with possessions, status, and selfish pleasure.
- God's message to the modern world is the same as in Isaiah's day: Repent and turn to God or face desolation and judgment.
- The only hope is to seek first the kingdom of God. We must lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
- Jesus came to purchase an eternal inheritance for believers that can never be corrupted or fade away.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Materialism in Isaiah 5?
What is the main theme of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Isaiah 5:8-10?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies materialism and worldliness as the main theme of his sermon based on Isaiah 5:8-10. He explains that God's first "woe" in Isaiah 5 is pronounced against those who "join house to house, that lay field to field," which represents the materialistic mindset that focuses on possessions rather than God. Lloyd-Jones connects this ancient problem directly to modern society's obsession with status symbols, possessions, and wealth, demonstrating that human nature remains unchanged across centuries.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones prove that materialism is still a major problem today?
Lloyd-Jones demonstrates that materialism remains a major problem by showing that the same characteristics Isaiah condemned 2,800 years ago are still prevalent today. He points out that most people are still preoccupied with possessions, money, and status symbols. He notes that modern media, politics, and culture all encourage this materialistic mindset. He argues that despite technological advancement, humanity's fundamental spiritual problem - putting material goods above God - remains unchanged from Isaiah's time to our present day.
According to the sermon, what are the characteristics of materialism?
According to Lloyd-Jones, materialism is characterized by: 1. Smallness - it reduces human life to possessions and status 2. Debasement - it lowers human dignity by making the heart focused on things rather than God 3. Insatiable greed - it creates a lust that is never satisfied 4. Selfishness - it makes people think only of themselves, illustrated by the story of Ahab and Naboth's vineyard 5. Forgetfulness of God - it removes God from a person's thoughts and considerations
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use the story of Naboth's vineyard in his sermon?
Lloyd-Jones uses the story of Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21) to illustrate the selfishness inherent in materialism. He describes how King Ahab, despite having great possessions, coveted Naboth's single vineyard. When Naboth refused to sell his ancestral property, Jezebel arranged for his murder so Ahab could take possession of it. Lloyd-Jones uses this biblical account to demonstrate how materialistic desires lead to utter selfishness that disregards others' rights and needs. He connects this ancient example to modern industrial disputes, broken marriages, and social problems that stem from the same self-centered attitude.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the root cause of materialism?
The root cause of materialism, according to Lloyd-Jones, is forgetting God. He states: "The trouble with the other person is that he forgets God. God is not in all his thoughts. That is the essence of the modern man's problem." When people forget God, they make themselves the center of the universe and determine for themselves what is right and wrong. Lloyd-Jones traces this back to humanity's original sin - turning away from God and deciding to be autonomous, which leads to all other troubles and sins, including materialism.
How does God respond to materialism according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, God responds to materialism with: 1. Judgment - "Woe unto them" is God's pronouncement 2. Desolation - turning prosperous places into emptiness (many houses "desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant") 3. Diminished returns - "ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath" (minimal produce) 4. Historical consequences - Lloyd-Jones points to fallen empires, environmental problems like soil erosion, and social issues like racial tensions stemming from slavery 5. Personal emptiness - "there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked"
What historical examples does Lloyd-Jones use to show God's judgment on materialism?
Lloyd-Jones provides several historical examples of God's judgment on materialism: 1. The flood in Noah's day 2. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah 3. The downfall of Ahab and Jezebel 4. The collapse of great empires like Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome 5. The fall of Napoleon 6. The dismemberment of the British Empire 7. Modern environmental problems like soil erosion in America 8. Racial problems in America stemming from the greed of slavery 9. Economic imbalances like America holding all the world's gold but having no customers
What alternative does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer to a materialistic lifestyle?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers "seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" as the alternative to materialism. He encourages his listeners to: 1. Stop focusing on possessions and status symbols 2. Put spiritual matters before material concerns 3. Lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth 4. Accept the gospel message and believe in Jesus Christ 5. Receive the "inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fadeth not away" through faith 6. Repent of materialistic mindsets and priorities 7. Find true satisfaction in relationship with God rather than in possessions
How does Lloyd-Jones connect the problem of materialism to modern social issues?
Lloyd-Jones connects materialism to several modern social issues: 1. Industrial disputes and strikes driven by status and comparative wages 2. Broken marriages where spouses leave for material gain or "a better time" 3. Environmental problems like soil erosion caused by exploiting land for maximum profit 4. Racial tensions in America stemming from the materialistic institution of slavery 5. Economic imbalances in international relations 6. The potential of global famine due to mismanagement of resources 7. Political systems that encourage materialism rather than moral principles
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' final appeal to his listeners regarding materialism?
Lloyd-Jones' final appeal is for his listeners to repent of materialism and embrace the gospel. He asks searching questions: "Where's your heart? Where's your treasure? What do you value? What is life in your estimate and opinion? Are you ready for death? Are you ready for eternity?" He then urges them to "acknowledge your folly" and "seek first the kingdom of God" by accepting Christ, who died on the cross for their sins. He promises that in Christ they will find "new life and the promise of this inheritance that shall never fade away," encouraging them to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
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.