Plumbline Amos 7: 7- 8 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

The Lord shows Amos a plumbline. The context is the Lord speaking of future judgement of Israel. Amos was just a “herdsman”, a regular guy. The Lord uses regular guys, his disciples for example, to get things done. He also uses common illustrations. This illustration of a plumbline is one that we can glean a great lesson from. In this passage there are two things we need to identify; The lord – is a pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, and the plumbline is clearly a tool or standard that the Lord uses.  I believe that it’s not too far of a stretch to say that this standard is His word, [John 12:48].  In the future we all will be judged by the Lord and His word.

Let’s explore some truths from this passage concerning this Plumbline

 Knowledge of a Plumbline What it is!

1. “and I said, A Plumbline” – Amos knew what it was- really Simple and Basic
2. Do you know what a Plumbline is?
3. Show everyone a Plumbline…
4. It is a tool, but if the type is the word of God, you have one in your lap!
5. Everyone here today has that basic knowledge; your Bible is the words of God.
6. [1 Thes.2:13] “in truth, the word of God”
7. Example of us giving men the Bible on ships and teaching the basic truth of what it is
8. [John 17:17] “sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth”
9. The Bible is the standard for all faith and practice, our plumbline.

Understanding of a Plumbline What it does!

1. “Wall made by a Plumbline” – Amos understood that the wall was made by a Plumbline
2. Amos understood what it does
3. A Plumbline:

Always straight and True – Never wrong

Works Everywhere and for everyone

Points to the center of gravity of this earth, works because of God’s design

              Do you understand what your Bible does?

1. 2 Timothy 3:15
   And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
3. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
4. 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1. Your Bible is never wrong
2. Your Bible works for everyone and everywhere
3. Always true and correct because it inspired by God, what a plumbline

Wisdom of a Plumbline Why you need it!

1. “the Lord stood…, with a Plumbline in his hand”
2. Plumbline proves the truth of “from the top down”
3. The only way to build anything correctly is by his plumbline
   1. It is foundational, basic, necessary
   2. If you are going to build (relationship, home, career, or a ministry)

• Example of rough-in plumbing needing to be plumb, or it is a problem through the entire job

1. We err when we “eye ball” the deal, lot of our buildings are leaning
2. Used enough we will spot anything not plumb

1. Just like Israel, you are judged by the Lord and his Plumbline (the word of God)
   1. Christian at the Judgement Seat of Christ
   2. Lost at the White Throne judgement

Review points

Charge Christians to Live by the Plumbline

Charge and invite the Lost to Receive Jesus Christ