Introduction: This text reminds me of our missionaries. Our annual conference is coming up in about a month, so we do well to think of our missionaries. Why would anyone be a missionary? For fame and power? For love of travel, adventure? For learning a foreign language? "Is that your final answer?" None of the above, of course. There are really only two good motives to be a missionary: 1) Obedience toward God; and 2) Compassion toward people.

I. Paul the Apostle examplified both obedience and compassion in his missionary work.
A. Obedience -- see Acts 26:12-19
B. Compassion -- see I Thessalonians 2:4-12

II. Jude, in his section on practical Christian living says to:
A. Build up your faith
B. Pray in the Holy Spirit
C. Stay in God's love
D. Look for Christ's mercy and
E. "Have Compassion." (KJV) In the NIV and NASB it reads, "be merciful."
The Greek interlinear New Testament reads, "take pity."

III. Jesus had a compassionate heart for people and their needs.
Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:29-34, and in the parable of the good Samaritan He instructed us to have compassion and mercy on our fellow men and women. (Luke 10:30-37) There is a need for compassion all over the world: India, Africa, Haiti, other third-world nations. And the need in the United States of America is far greater than it was 30 years ago.

IV. Jude tells us that we may love the sinner while hating his sin (Jude 22-23).
Some people are so repelled by the depths of sin, that they find it difficult to be compassionate toward sinners. We need to remember that Jesus died for us and love us while WE were yet sinners, and that none of us deserves salvation. All our righteous deeds are like filthy rags compared to God's standards. We must never consider ourselves as being too good to reach out a helping hand to the sinners around us.

Conclusion: What shall we do? Get involved. Wayside supports AAA Women's Services, Bethel Bible Village, the Signal Mountain Welfare Council, and so on. There are many other great compassionate missions in Chattanooga. Give. Be a volunteer. Pray for God to give us hearts of mercy and pity. Pray for our missionaries around the world, that they may have the compassion of Christ. Dr. and Mrs. Carter are on a mission of compassion. Ansel and Jennifer Rogers are on a mission of compassion to Peru. Charles and Judy Williams are on a mission of compassion to Belize. Pray for all our missionaries. Pray for God to bless their work with many souls turning to Christ.