Mercy Triumphs: The Power of Christ's Blood

Devotional

Day 1: The Blood of Abel and the Cry for Justice

The story of Cain and Abel reveals a profound spiritual principle: innocent blood cries out to God from the ground, demanding a response from heaven. When Cain killed his brother Abel, God confronted him, not only exposing Cain’s hardened heart but also declaring that Abel’s blood had a voice that reached the very throne of God. This principle extends beyond the ancient story, reminding us that every act of injustice, every innocent life taken, is not forgotten by God. The blood of the innocent continues to cry out, and God hears. Yet, even in judgment, God’s response to Cain included a mark of mercy, showing that His justice is always mingled with compassion. [10:57]

Genesis 4:9-12 (ESV)
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

Reflection: Is there an injustice or wrong—big or small—that you have witnessed or been part of, where you need to bring your heart honestly before God and ask Him to show you His perspective and His mercy?

Day 2: Stephen’s Martyrdom and the Power of Forgiveness

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stood boldly for the truth, even as religious leaders turned violent against him. As he was being stoned, Stephen looked to heaven, saw the glory of God, and prayed for his killers, echoing the words of Jesus: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” This radical forgiveness, even in the face of death, is the mark of a transformed life—one filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a call to every believer to let go of vengeance and to pray for mercy, even for those who oppose or harm us. [19:42]

Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that has wronged you or stands against you—can you pray today for God’s mercy and blessing over them, just as Stephen did?

Day 3: The Cloud of Witnesses and Enduring Faith

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—those who have gone before us, many of whom paid the ultimate price for their faith. Their lives and sacrifices cheer us on, urging us not to give up, to lay aside every weight and sin, and to run with endurance the race set before us. Jesus Himself endured the cross for the joy set before Him—us. Even in our darkest moments, He saw us as His prize and gave Himself willingly. This is a call to live not for the approval of the world, but to persevere in faith, knowing that our struggles are seen and our endurance matters. [28:51]

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Reflection: What is one “weight” or sin that is holding you back from running your race with endurance, and how can you lay it down before Jesus today?

Day 4: The Blood of Jesus Speaks a Better Word—Mercy Over Vengeance

Where Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance, the blood of Jesus cries out for mercy. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross satisfied the demands of justice and now offers forgiveness and reconciliation to all, even to those who once hated or opposed Him. The call is to align our hearts with the mercy of Jesus, to pray for the salvation of those who seem farthest from God, and to let go of any desire for vengeance. The blood of Jesus transforms the cry for retribution into a plea for redemption, inviting us to intercede for even the most unlikely people to become powerful voices for the kingdom. [46:33]

Hebrews 12:24 (ESV)
And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Reflection: Is there a person or group you struggle to show mercy toward—can you pray today that God would pour out His mercy on them and even use them for His glory?

Day 5: Surrendering Pride and Embracing Transformation

The only thing that holds us back from God’s mercy and transformation is our own pride and ego. True change comes not from our own efforts or religious traditions, but from surrendering to the presence and life of Jesus within us. When we yield to Him, our desires begin to change, and we are set free from the things that once held us captive. The call is to let God shake loose anything in our lives that does not align with His word, to humble ourselves, and to allow His Spirit to transform us from the inside out. [36:49]

James 4:6-7 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Reflection: What is one area of pride or self-reliance you need to surrender to God today, inviting Him to transform your heart and desires?

Sermon Summary

In a world where evil often seems to prevail and the lines between good and evil are blurred, it’s easy to become discouraged or even angry at the darkness we see around us. Yet, the truth remains: without Jesus, all is lost—no amount of political maneuvering, moral striving, or religious effort can remedy the brokenness of humanity. The only true remedy is Christ Himself, who not only fulfills the law on our behalf but also offers a transformation that no human system can provide. The events of this past week, and the martyrdoms that happen daily around the world—whether publicized or hidden—remind us that innocent blood still cries out from the ground. But the cry of that blood is not the end of the story.

From the very beginning, with Cain and Abel, we see that innocent blood has a voice before God. Abel’s blood cried out for justice, for vengeance. Yet, even in the aftermath of such violence, God’s response to Cain was marked by unexpected mercy—a mark not of curse, but of protection. This theme of mercy in the face of evil runs throughout the story of God’s people. When Stephen was martyred in the book of Acts, his final words echoed those of Jesus: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” In that moment, as Stephen’s blood was shed, Jesus Himself stood at the right hand of God, bearing witness and standing in honor of His faithful servant.

The ripple effect of Stephen’s martyrdom was profound. Saul, who consented to Stephen’s death, would later become Paul—the greatest voice for the gospel in the early church. It’s a reminder that God can use even the most tragic and unjust events to bring about redemption and transformation. The blood of martyrs, like Abel’s and Stephen’s, cries out—but the blood of Jesus speaks a better word. Where Abel’s blood called for vengeance, Jesus’ blood cries out for mercy, even for those who hate, persecute, or murder.

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—those who have gone before us, who urge us not to give up, to lay aside every weight, and to run with endurance. The shaking we experience in our lives and in our world is not a sign of God’s absence, but of His refining work. He is removing what can be shaken so that what is eternal may remain. Our call is to align ourselves with the mercy of Jesus, to pray for our enemies, and to believe that God can transform even the hardest hearts. The blood of Jesus still cries out for mercy, and we are invited to join that cry—not only for ourselves, but for the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Innocent blood has a voice before God, but the blood of Jesus speaks a better word. Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance, but Jesus’ blood cries out for mercy, even for those who seem most undeserving. This is the heart of the gospel: mercy triumphs over judgment, and the cross is where vengeance is quenched and mercy flows freely. [46:33]
2. God’s mercy is often found in the most unexpected places, even in the aftermath of evil. The mark God placed on Cain was not a curse, but a mark of protection—a sign that even the guilty are not beyond the reach of God’s mercy. This challenges us to see others, even those who have done wrong, through the lens of God’s redemptive love. [13:17]
3. The transformation of Saul into Paul shows that God can redeem anyone, no matter how far they have strayed or how much harm they have done. The prayers and forgiveness of the persecuted—like Stephen—can become the catalyst for the salvation of their persecutors. We are called to pray for those who oppose us, believing that God can raise up powerful voices for His kingdom from the most unlikely places. [44:20]
4. The shaking we experience in our lives and in the world is God’s way of removing what is temporary so that what is eternal may remain. Rather than resisting this shaking, we are invited to surrender our pride, our ego, and our own ideas, allowing God to refine us and align us with His unshakable kingdom. [33:30]
5. The call to mercy is not just for our own benefit, but for the world around us. If our hearts still cry out for vengeance, we are invited to surrender to Jesus, whose blood cries out for mercy. Our prayers should be for the salvation of even those who hate or harm us, trusting that God’s mercy is powerful enough to transform any life. [50:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:13] - The Only Remedy: Christ Alone
[05:54] - If God Be For Us: Part Three
[06:41] - Cain and Abel: The Cry of Innocent Blood
[09:40] - Cain’s Response and God’s Mercy
[13:17] - The Mark of Cain: Curse or Mercy?
[14:30] - Early Church Conflicts and Stephen’s Appointment
[16:00] - Stephen’s Bold Witness
[17:49] - The Martyrdom of Stephen
[18:57] - Jesus Stands for the Martyr
[21:04] - The Gospel of Transformation
[23:41] - Saul’s Role in Stephen’s Death
[26:18] - Surrounded by a Cloud of Witnesses
[28:51] - The Joy Set Before Jesus
[31:46] - The Blood That Speaks Better Things
[33:30] - The Shaking of All Things
[36:49] - Pride, Ego, and True Transformation
[39:21] - Saul’s Conscience and Conversion
[44:20] - The Ripple Effect: From Martyrdom to Mission
[46:33] - The Blood of Jesus: Mercy Over Vengeance
[50:12] - Praying for Our Enemies
[52:47] - The Last Supper: Remembering Mercy
[57:12] - The Blood Now Cries for Mercy
[58:43] - Praying for the Lost and the Haters
[60:10] - Comfort for the Grieving
[61:28] - Turning Hearts to God
[62:12] - A Prayer for Transformation and Mercy

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 4:8-15 (ESV) — > 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
> 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”
> 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.
> 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
> 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”
> 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.
> 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
> 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

Acts 7:54-60 (ESV) — > 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.
> 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
> 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
> 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.
> 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
> 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
> 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Hebrews 12:22-24, 26-28 (ESV) — > 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
> 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
> 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
> ...
> 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”
> 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
> 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 4, what does God say about Abel’s blood after Cain kills him? What is the significance of God’s response to Cain?
When Stephen is being stoned in Acts 7, what does he see and what does he pray for his killers?
According to Hebrews 12, what does the “blood of Jesus” speak compared to the blood of Abel?
In the sermon, what was the “mark of Cain” described as, and how does that challenge common assumptions?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance, but Jesus’ blood cries out for mercy. What does this difference reveal about the heart of the gospel?
How does God’s response to Cain after Abel’s murder show both justice and mercy? What does this suggest about how God deals with those who do wrong?
The transformation of Saul (who approved of Stephen’s death) into Paul is described as a “ripple effect” of Stephen’s martyrdom. What does this suggest about how God can use even tragic or evil events?
The sermon talks about “shaking” in our lives and in the world as God’s way of removing what is temporary. What does it mean to surrender to God’s refining work instead of resisting it?

Application Questions

The sermon says that the blood of Jesus cries out for mercy, not vengeance. Is there a situation or person in your life where your heart still cries out for vengeance? What would it look like to surrender that to Jesus and pray for mercy instead?
God’s mercy was shown to Cain, even after he killed his brother. Are there people you find it hard to see through the lens of God’s mercy? What would it take to begin seeing them differently?
Stephen prayed for his killers as he was dying. Is there someone who has hurt you or opposes you that you could begin to pray for this week? What might you pray for them?
The sermon challenges us to believe that God can transform even the hardest hearts, like Saul’s. Is there someone in your life or in the public eye that you think is “too far gone”? How can you start praying for their transformation?
The “shaking” in our lives is described as God’s way of removing what is temporary so that what is eternal remains. Is there something God might be shaking in your life right now? What would it look like to let go and trust Him in that area?
The pastor said that pride and ego keep us from surrendering to God’s refining work. Can you identify an area where pride or ego is holding you back from God’s mercy or transformation? What step could you take to humble yourself this week?
The sermon invites us to join Jesus’ cry for mercy, not just for ourselves but for the world. What is one practical way you can show or pray for mercy in your community this week?

Sermon Clips

But the only remedy, my friends, is through Christ Jesus. It's not through trying to do right, be right, keep any kind of commandments. I'm so sick of that. Moses' love, we're going to keep the commandments. Let me just tell you, if you don't have a brain, I understand, but let me just tell you if I can help you. Jesus is keeping the law for me right now. He's keeping the Sabbath for me eternally right now. And I get it, I get it, dude, because you can't wrap your brain around it, but just because I can't wrap my brain around it doesn't mean that my heart can't embrace it. [00:04:09] (34 seconds) #GraceOverLaw

``If you are indeed a follower of Jesus, the earmark of that was, we will be known by our fruit. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. And the gospel of not going to heaven when you die is the gospel of transformation. Heaven is a wonderful French benefit. But it's a gospel of transformation that says, when I receive Christ, he embeds himself in me by his Holy Spirit with his presence, and the change begins. [00:20:45] (44 seconds) #KnownByOurFruit

Wherefore seeing we are also compassed around with so great a cloud of witnesses. What's he talking about? He's talking about those that have paid the ultimate price with their natural life. That we are surrounded with the cloud of witnesses today that I cannot help but believe they are not cheering us on as believers going, don't give up. Don't shrink back. When you fall, get back up and stand. I can see those ones that have went on before us going, come on, now's your time to shine. Don't give up. It may or may not cost you everything. But if it does, it's worth it, y 'all. [00:26:20] (52 seconds) #CloudOfWitnesses

Get in your mind your most depraved moment. It's hard for me because there's a lot to pick from it. But get in your mind your most depraved moment before Christ. Perhaps your most depraved moment since Christ in your life. I thought he would bring that up, wouldn't he? But get in your mind the most depraved moment, the darkest hour of your life. And you wish to hope that nobody ever knows about or finds out about. Guess what? That's when he's going that's the prize I want right there. Yeah, but I was yeah, but I he's going, no, no, no, you're my prize. And you, even in your most depraved moment are worth it to Jesus to go to the cross. [00:29:47] (47 seconds) #PricelessInDarkness

How dare I try to keep some religious tradition or some religious thing, because all that does when I do that or all that does when you do that is puff up your ego. That's all it does. But yet when I yield myself to Christ, I realize that there's no place for my ego in the kingdom of God. There's no place for my pride in the kingdom of God. [00:45:57] (31 seconds) #EgoHasNoPlace

Jesus' blood cried out for better things. Abel's blood cried out for vengeance. However, Jesus' blood cries out for mercy. Jesus' blood, listen. Abel's blood cried out for vengeance. Jesus' blood only cries out for mercy. Yeah. And it speaks of better things. [00:46:41] (38 seconds) #BloodOfMercy

If you still want vengeance, please surrender your heart to the Lord Jesus. If you still want vengeance over the things that are happening in our world, if you're still crying out for vengeance, my prayer is please surrender your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. Because his blood, vengeance was quenched at the cross, y 'all. Vengeance was quenched at the cross. Now, the blood of Jesus only cries out for mercy. [00:51:03] (33 seconds) #SurrenderVengeance

The innocent blood that once cried out for vengeance now cries out for mercy. I pray for the murderers. Come on, y 'all. I pray for the murderers to be born again. I pray for the murderers' lives to be reconciled to the cross. I pray for the hate mongers to come to Jesus, for the sexual obediates to come to Jesus, for the thieves to come to Jesus, for the religious fanatics, whether they call themselves Christians or whatever, for them to come to Jesus and trust in Christ and in Christ alone. [00:59:19] (51 seconds) #MercyOverVengeance

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the significance of innocent blood crying out?

How does faith influence our response to societal evil?

In what way does Jesus' blood speak better things?