The Plumbline (Amos #18) - Bible Baptist Church

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Text: Amos 7:7-9

Notice the pleading of Amos is based on a who: by whom shall Jacob arise? In verse 2 and verse 5. This third vision Amos sees will answer the question by whom shall Jacob arise? This is a prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Plumbline is the standard used to build (vs 7)

…the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand…
Plumbline is the right standard
- The Lord stands on a wall built by a plumbline and he is measuring the wall with the plumbline to judge how crooked it’s become. The Lord would set a standard in Israel and everything that is crooked will be torn down.
- God Almighty would give the standard to Jesus Christ; he carries the standard. But Amos prophesies 800 years before the Lord Jesus Christ is born. And look at how these verses are written. Notice the plumbline is with the Lord, but it is the capital L-O-R-D that speaks to Amos about laying the plumbline.
Plumbline is old
Plumbline is simple
- …simplicity that is in Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:3
Plumbline is necessary
- Used instead of “eyeing it”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Plumbline works everywhere
- Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
- Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Plumbline works for everyone
- Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
  Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
- Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
- Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Plumbline is the standard that originates with the Lord (vs 8)

…Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people…
Measurement is from the top down
- Righteousness originates with God, not man. The plumbline doesn’t work from the ground up, but from the top down.
- Righteousness is given to man by God in Jesus Christ.
- Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
- And Jesus Christ is understood by this Bible.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- The first instruction in righteousness you’ll get is to receive the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.
Plumbline is a standard that works by its anchored above and disconnection from below.
- Personal application
- connected by faith
- word of God
- prayer
- set affections on things above… love not the world..

Plumbline determines what needs to be removed (vs 9)

Plumbline will determine whether it is crooked or not.
- Removed based on its relationship to what’s right
- The high and exalted places would become desolate; everything that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.
- The sanctuaries would be laid waste; the churches and worship centers full of idols.
- Then the king and his house would come under the sword. Jeroboam’s son Zachariah reigns 6 months in Israel and is publicly assassinated by a man named Shallum.
Jesus Christ the plumbline
Isaiah 40:3-5 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
When the Lord lays the plumbline in this nation, in this county, in this city is there anyone that will be left standing? Will you be left standing?
Are you justified before God or are you crooked? You’ll say you’re good, but by what standard?
Some of you if the Lord laid the plumbline to your prayer life he’d find it crooked. Not enough connection above or too connected below.
Some of you if the Lord laid the plumbline to your testimony he’d find it crooked. Not enough connection above or too connected below.
Some of you if the Lord laid the plumbline to your parenting he’d find it crooked. Not enough connection above or too connected below.
Some of you if the Lord laid the plumbline to your mouth he’d find it crooked. Not enough connection above or too connected below.
Some of you if the Lord laid the plumbline to your eyes he’d find them crooked. Not enough connection above or too connected below.
Some of you if the Lord laid the plumbline to your ears he’d find them crooked. Not enough connection above or too connected below.
Once its found to be crooked the options are, make it straight or destroy it before it falls on someone else.