His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

I preach the gospel … I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! … What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” … For Christ’s love compels us.

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. … So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you. … You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

Go … to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. … Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

Je 20:9; 1Co 9:16, 1Co 9:18; Ac  4:18-20, 2Co 5:14; Ac 10:42, Mt 25:25-27; Mr 5:19, Mr 16:15; Ro 10:15, Is 52:7

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.