Paul was a gospel preacher.  That means exactly what it sounds like.  He did not just talk about preaching the gospel, he did it.  He preached the gospel because he knew he was called to do so.

1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV)
¹⁶  For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Paul was directly commissioned by Christ to preach the gospel (Acts 9:15).  His only choice in the matter was whether or not he was going to obey.  We know, of course, that he chose to obey, but we should note that he did so passionately.  It was not a matter of preaching the gospel just because he was commanded to do so.  He preached enthusiastically because he loved the souls of men.

Romans 1:14-15 (KJV)
¹⁴  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. ¹⁵  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Can we say this with Paul?  Are we ready to preach the gospel?  What does it take to be ready to preach the gospel of Christ to others?

There are at least three things we need to preach the gospel.  First, we have to be prepared.  The first thing involved in being prepared to preach the gospel is living by it.  In addressing hypocritical Jews, Paul asked two questions that put this into perspective.

Romans 2:21 (ESV)
²¹  You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?

The implication made by Paul is that if you are not practicing what you preach, you should not be preaching.  Living right, however, is not the only thing you need to be prepared to preach.  You must also have a working knowledge of the gospel.  You do not have to be a scholar to be actively involved in preaching the gospel, but you do have to know the fundamentals of the faith.  Paul once referred to the Word of God as the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).  One cannot hope to use a sword correctly without some kind of training.  The same thing is true about the gospel.  To use it correctly, or as Paul put it, to rightly handle it, you must train yourself by studying the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15).

A second thing you need to be ready to preach the gospel is courage.  While the gospel is the greatest message in the world, it is not the most popular message.  Many people despise the gospel.  This has led to violent responses to its preaching.  Still, we must preach.  Sadly, fear has stopped many in the body of Christ from disseminating the precepts of God to a world lost in sin.  We must all rise above our fears and boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ.  Remember, Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Finally, to be ready to preach the gospel, we must avoid being ashamed of it.  Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation…” (Romans 1:16).  I know that the moral standard of the gospel is much different than that of the world.  A Christian can be ridiculed, rejected, or even reviled for preaching the gospel, but that must not stop us.  Paul preached the gospel enthusiastically in places like Athens, Corinth, and Rome, all places known for their idolatry and immorality.  Paul knew that in places like that, people were lost and needed the gospel; and’ so’ he was ready to preach.  Let us all follow in the steps of Paul and be ready.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things