Mercy Triumphs: The Power of Christ's Blood

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 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

1. 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?
2. When Stephen is being stoned in Acts 7, what does he see and what does he pray for his killers?
3. According to Hebrews 12, what does the “blood of Jesus” speak compared to the blood of Abel?
4. In the sermon, what was the “mark of Cain” described as, and how does that challenge common assumptions?

Interpretation Questions

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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?