What do you do to receive God’s grace? The answer is nothing; stop trying to do. Grace is not found in anything you can do; just receive it because of what Jesus has done for you. Stop trying to earn God’s grace and yield yourself without reservation to Jesus.

What is the one essential requirement for receiving God’s grace? Derek makes no apologies for addressing this question. Scripture says “Humble yourself.” It is a decision each of us must make. We must guard against self-righteousness and pride by humbling ourselves and submitting to God. As we do, God’s grace will be extended to us.

Today we see how God took care of the problem of satisfying justice so that we could receive mercy. We were all sinners but Jesus came and took the punishment for us all. In His sacrifice we have been reconciled to God and grace is ours.

Justice is very exact and totally objective. Using examples from building construction, Derek shows how justice is absolute and, because of sin, humans can’t measure up. We need mercy. Thank God, there is another side to the coin: God has provided the grace by which we can obtain mercy.

Derek gives several pictures of the condition of man from the Old and New Testaments, all summed up in three phrases: darkness, hopelessness and no expectation but death. Man didn’t even know he was in that condition, but then God came and turned on the Light so that now we can see. That is grace!

It is imperative to understand that we are saved—made righteous—through faith in Christ and not by works. Today Derek explains that if salvation were by works we would have to keep the whole law, all the time. But we are not able—only Christ could do that. We must achieve righteousness by grace, trusting in His death and resurrection on our behalf.

In this series right here at this Christmas season, Derek looks at the gift of grace that has been extended to all mankind. What is it? Today Derek will provide a complete definition of the word, also adding that in Scripture grace means beauty, favor, or pleasure and, in essence, it is the way God looks at us.

In today’s message, Derek shows us that God’s main purpose is to dwell with His people. That was the purpose of the tabernacle in the wilderness and the temple of Solomon. And it is the divine purpose of human history when the New Jerusalem descends from heaven. God with us—the One Who Is There.

The Lord is our righteousness. Righteousness can be obtained in no other way. Our self-righteousness is as filthy rags, the Bible tells us. Jesus, the spotless, sinless Lamb of God purchased that righteousness for us—so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him.

Teaching from Psalm 23, Derek shows us the ways in which the Lord is our Shepherd. As a shepherd, the Lord sees to it that we are not in need, He provides nourishment, He restores and guides us, leading us through the hard times and finally to dwell in His house forever.