Noah's Ark Had No Rudder

Hebrews 11:7 (NLT)

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

ILLUSTRATION:

Quite a few years ago, I heard about a man who set out to build his own sailboat in his backyard. He worked diligently on the boat. He worked after hours when he was off work from his day job and most weekends. After several months, the boat began to take shape. People in the community begin to take interest in the sailboat and in their neighbor who had proven to be quite the craftsman.

All went well, until one day, someone asked him how he was going to get the boat to the ocean. The poor man had never given a thought about how he planned to get his prize sailboat to the ocean. His boat was too big to be moved down a public street. The backyard shipbuilder had thought about everything, except this! Folks in the community thought it rather humorous that a man would go to all the trouble to build a sailboat and never stop to think of how he was going to transport it to the water.

It looked as if the sailboat would never get the opportunity to prove itself seaworthy...that is, until the right people happened to be watching an evening newscast, telling of the man's predicament. Someone in the department of the Navy heard about the man's problem and offered to help. The Navy contacted the man and offered to airlift the boat with one of their giant helicopters.

The story made big news! Everyone turned out to see the boat lowered into the water. People cheered and applauded, as the captain took the wheel for the first time.

INTRODUCTION:

We all know the story of Noah. He, too, built a boat in his backyard. And just like the man in the story before us, Noah's boat was nowhere near the water...but differently than our first story, God would bring the water to Noah. That would be a story for the evening news, wouldn't it?

The Bible records many interesting facts about the construction of the Ark. According to Genesis 6, it was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet deep. It was made of gopher wood and sealed with pitch. It had three floors, one window and one door.

But there was something missing-something you would normally find on any ship. Noah's Ark (we should really say, ''God's Ark; it was His idea) was missing a rudder. But Noah didn't need a rudder-God was the Captain of his ship, and God doesn't need a rudder to steer a ship.

The Bible says in Gen. 7:16, that when Noah and his family entered the Ark, ''...the Lord shut him in.''

Now, if we have studied the Bible at all, we know that the Ark is a picture of Christ. Those in Christ (in the Ark) are saved and safe! Once Noah and his family entered the Ark, they had no need to worry. God would provide for them. They had food and shelter. They were protected from the storms and the flood. By faith, they trusted God to care for them and to lead them.

The safest place for Noah and his family was in the Ark. Again, in Hebrews 11:7a , says

Hebrews 11:7a (NLT)

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood.

The story of Noah's Ark and the flood, symbolize or picture many different things: the faith of Noah, God's love and mercy, His longsuffering and patience concerning judgment.... However, there is one outstanding thought I would like to have us keep in mind throughout the message-the importance of being in the Ark and trusting God, as the Captain of our ship. If we are trusting Him, we have no need of a rudder on our ship; He'll do all the navigating.

Let me give you three things about the Ark. It is first of all...

I. A Picture of Christ

II. A Picture of Rest

III. A Picture of Safety

I. THE ARK IS A PICTURE OF CHRIST

Paul said in Romans 8:1a ,

Romans 8:1a NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

The Ark is a picture or symbol of Christ. Those in the Ark-in Christ, are saved from judgment.

One other thing, the door on the Ark is also picture of Christ. In John 10:9a , Jesus said,

John 10:9a (NLT)

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.

In John 14:6, He said,

John 14:6 NLT

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Two things:

A. Noah's Salvation

1. Noah's salvation was by the grace of God. The Bible states: ''But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord'' (Gen. 6:8). Someone might ask, ''What about the rest of the world's population, did they not deserve God's grace, as well? No, they didn't, nor did Noah...nor do you and I, for that matter. Noah had done nothing to deserve salvation. He was like every other man born into sin. In Job 15:14, it says, What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Romans 3:10 puts the period on the end of the sentence: ''As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.''

2. There was one difference between Noah and the rest of the world-and it was a big difference: Noah had faith in God. Remember Hebrews 11:7a, ''By faith...Noah prepared an ark.'' And in the last part of that verse it says, ''...by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.''

3. Salvation is comprised of two components: God's grace and man's faith in God. The Bible says, ''For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.'' Acts 16:31 tells us: ''Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.''

a. Now let me add something about saving faith. Faith in God is not, ''Oh, I believe in God, but I can still live like the world.'' No, true faith involves repentance. It is saying to God, ''I'm sorry...I'm sorry for my sins.'' When that happens, God's grace and man's faith connect...that man becomes a new person in Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephes. 4:24, And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

4. When Noah and his family were placed in the Ark, it was a picture of being placed in Christ; they were saved from destruction. Romans 8:1b says, ''There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus....'' And let me remind you once again, ''Noah's Ark did not have a rudder.'' It was all by God's grace; God did not need Noah's help to steer the Ark to safety.

a. God does not need our baptism, our Church membership or our good works in order to save us-God has is no rudder on the good Ship Salvation; it is by grace we are saved.

B. Man's Judgment

1. Conditions in Noah's day. What was it like in Noah's day? Look at Genesis 6:5-7

Genesis 6:5–7 NLT

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.”

2. Conditions were so bad, that God had to destroy that which He had created with His own hands. Satan's influence had turned him against His own Creator. God said, ''I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.''

a. In spite of man's wickedness, God still gave him an opportunity to repent. The Bible says that Noah preached for 120 years, but other than his own family, not one person turned to God. The Bible says in Genesis 7:23,

Genesis 7:23 NLT

God wiped out every living thing on the earth—people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat.

3. Conditions in our day. The Bible gives a prophetic warning concerning the last days. We are told that God's judgment will be preceded by wickedness compared to that of Noah's day. In Luke 17:26-27 , it says,

Luke 17:26–27 NLT

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.

a. To sum it up; man was just having a ball, at least he thought.... He was involved in self-indulgence of every kind-eating and drinking, pleasure and amusement, debauchery, decadence...sinful flesh had taken over-there was no thought of God. The Bible says in Genesis 6:5b :

Genesis 6:5b NLT

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.

1) How can any rational thinking person today, look around, and not see that we are living in the last days-days just like the days of Noah?''

4. Here's the point: The Ark is passing this way for the last time. Jesus is calling, ''Get on board!''

HYMN:

In the year 1900, M. J. Cartwright wrote the song, The Old Ship of Zion.''

I was drifting away on life's pitiless sea,

And the angry waves threatened my ruin to be,

When away at my side, there I dimly descried,

A stately old vessel, and loudly I cried:

''Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!''

'Twas the ''old ship of Zion,'' thus sailing along,

All aboard her seemed joyous, I heard their sweet song;

And the Captain's kind ear, ever ready to hear,

Caught my wail of distress, as I cried out in fear:

''Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!''

The good Captain commanded a boat to be low'red,

And with tender compassion He took me on board;

And I'm happy today, all my sins washed away

In the blood of my Savior, and now I can say:

''Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord!''

O soul, sinking down 'neath sin's merciless wave,

The strong arm of our Captain is mighty to save;

Then trust Him today, no longer delay,

Board the old ship of Zion, and shout on your way:

''Jesus saves! Jesus saves!''

First, The Ark is a Picture of Christ. Next...

II. THE ARK IS A PICTURE OF REST

By the way, it may interest you to know that Noah's name means Rest. And Noah did rest in the Lord-he trusted Him. The Bible says, ''And the Ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat'' (Gen. 8:4 ). Noah was resting in the Ark (the Ark represents Christ), and the Ark rested upon Mt Ararat. God brought Noah to a place of rest and safety. Consider a couple of things:

A. Noah Rested in the Lord's Providence

1. God said to Noah in Genesis 6:21-22 ,

Genesis 6:21–22 NLT

And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.” So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

2. God made certain that Noah, his family and all the animals would be provided for; it wasn't up to Noah to provide, it was up to God. Noah rested in God's provision. Remember, Noah's Ark did not need a rudder. God had no plans to stop along the way and send Noah to the local Safeway store to pick up supplies.

ILLUSTRATION:

Last year, a friend built a bird feeder and placed it in the back yard. It had six doors on it, so several birds can feed at one time. I am reminded of how in the Bible, God talks about feeding the little birds. In Luke 12:24, Jesus said,

Luke 12:24 NLT

Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

Can I just say to you this morning, learn to rest in God. Whatever it may be - He can take care of it. Noah had no rudder on the Ark; He rested in God.

ILLUSTRATION:

Charles H. Spurgeon, a great English preacher of the 19th century, said, concerning God's care for us:

Think what a good God you have, yes, what a blessed God He is! Remember how good He has been to you in the past. Think of the richness of His Word, the sureness of His promises, the tenderness of His love and the power of His arm until your soul shall say, ''Whatever I have not, I have my God! Whatever is unsatisfactory, He satisfies me! And whatever grieves me to think it is so unfit for me, nothing grieves me in my God. I would not have Him changed, nor have Him change in any respect. He is a sea of blessedness in which my soul does swim.''

Resting in God's providence. Next...

B. Noah Rested in the Lord's Promises

1. God said to Noah in Genesis 6:17-18

Genesis 6:17–18 NLT

“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives.

a. God said, ''I am going to destroy the earth and all that is in it; however, I am going to make a covenant with you.'' What was the covenant? The covenant with Noah (which was unconditional) was that God would spare Noah and His family, and that through Noah He would replenish the earth (this goes all the way back to Gen. 3:15 and God's promise of a Redeemer.

1) Now notice Genesis 8:1, And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

2. God kept His Word-He kept his promise to Noah. By the way, Noah wasn't worried about whether or not God would keep His promise; he knew He would. When God told Noah to come into the Ark (the Ark without a rudder), Noah gathered his family together and all the animals. They went inside, and then God closed the door. Noah settled in for the ride, knowing that what God had promised, He would do.

a. Do you remember what Jesus said?

''Come unto Me and I will give you rest.'' The Ark is a picture of rest. Friend, if you are in Christ, you ought to be resting, resting in His...

1) Direction-Noah didn't know where he was going, but God did. Just as God led Noah, so He has promised to lead us (if we will let Him). Remember, there is no rudder on His boat. The Lord doesn't need our help. When we attempt to chart a course on our own, we usually wind up shipwrecked.

2) Hope - Jeremiah 17:7 says,

Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Life, as we know it today is difficult, to say the least. Each day seems to bring some new sorrow; but thank God, for the Christian, there is always a brighter tomorrow.

3) Light - In Genesis 9:13-14 God said

Genesis 9:13–14 NLT

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds,

- Did you get that? God said, ''Every time there is a cloud, there will be a rainbow!'' How tremendous is that? Friend, if you feel that the storm clouds have gathered in your life, look up - there is a rainbow. God has promised to give light in the midst of darkness. Are you resting in Him?

Noah rested in the Lord's providence and he rested in His promises. The Ark was a picture of Rest. Finally...

III. THE ARK IS A PICTURE OF SAFETY

Do you remember when Paul was taken prisoner and transported by ship to Rome to appear before Caesar? During their voyage, the ship had been caught in a terrible storm and was in danger of breaking apart on the rocks. In Acts 27:31 ,

Acts 27:31 NLT

But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.”

Of course, we know the rest of the story, the men did abide in the ship and they all arrived safely (Acts 27:44).

A. Those in the Ark Were Safe

1. Noah knew that wherever God was taking Him, he would arrive safely; he had no worries. I can't imagine Noah having a sleepless night on the Ark-even with all of his responsibilities...feeding and caring for the animals, etc. I think Noah slept like a baby.

a. I also don't think Noah was tossed around on the inside by what was going on outside. Remember, it rained for forty days and nights. There has never been a storm to match the storms that took place during the flood.

1) Christians should never worry when a storm comes up...we are in the Ark. We should not be disturbed on the inside by what's going on outside.

B. Those in Ark Were Secure

1. If you are in the Ark, then like Noah, you have been saved from God's coming judgment. Those outside of the Ark perished, but those in the Ark were saved. Do you think Noah and his family were afraid? Not at all-they knew that the Ark was a place of security. Here's what Jesus said: We ''...are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time'' (1 Peter 1:5). Listen to 1 John 5:20

1 John 5:20 NLT

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

HYMN:

In 1902, William C. Martin wrote the Hymn, My Anchor Holds. Let me read just two stanzas...

Though the angry surges roll

On my tempest driven soul,

I am peaceful, for I know,

Wildly though the winds may blow,

I've an anchor safe and sure,

That can evermore endure.

Troubles almost 'whelm the soul;

Griefs like billows o'er me roll;

Tempters seek to lure astray;

Storms obscure the light of day:

But in Christ I can be bold,

I've an anchor that shall hold.

NOAH'S ARK HAD NO RUDDER

The Ark was a picture of Christ, a picture of rest and a picture of safety. Once Noah and his family entered the Ark, they had no need to worry. God would provide for them. They had food and shelter. They were protected from the storms and the flood. By faith, they trusted God to care for them and to lead them.

CONCLUSION:

The reason Noah's Ark had no need of a rudder is because God was the Captain-He simply spoke, and the ark was brought safely to its final destination. The life of Noah is a picture of God's grace; however, the flood is a picture of God's judgment on the unbeliever. The Genesis story should be a challenge to any person today who is outside of Christ: ''Get on board, the Ol' ship of Zion will never pass this way again.''