We question whether heavenly rewards are wages for effort or the present fruits of abiding in Christ, using Scripture and a Wizard of Oz parable to rethink crowns, timing, and Paul’s race. We land on a simple call: stop striving for what grace already gave and live from union with Jesus.

• the five crowns as facets of salvation in Christ
• Paul’s race as focused dependence, not merit
• Hebrews on Jesus’ perfected obedience through suffering
• abiding as the source of true fruit, not activity
• rethinking timing and urgency language in the New Testament
• Revelation’s crowns as worship, not status
• practical shift from earning to receiving and stewarding

Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/079-heavenly-rewards-and-crowns-oh-my/

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We challenge the modern, single-pastor model by tracing “pastor” back to “shepherd” and showing how the New Testament envisions plural elders, shared gifts, and open participation under Christ. We call listeners to leave performance religion, enter rest, and practice courageous, Scripture-shaped discernment.

• the word pastor in translations and its link to shepherds
• Ephesians 4 gifts equipping all saints
• plural elders and non‑domineering oversight in 1 Peter 5
• guarding the flock and spotting wolves in Acts 20
• qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1
• misuse of Proverbs 6 to silence correction
• corporate pulpits versus congregational participation
• moving from Moses to Joshua—entering rest by faith
• identity in Christ and the mind of Christ shared
• practical steps to hold leaders accountable in grace

Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/078-what-is-a-pastor/

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We challenge the common use of Malachi 3 and make the case that Christians are not under the Mosaic tithe. We walk through Scripture to show how grace reframes giving as free, cheerful, and focused on real needs rather than institutional maintenance.

• defining the biblical tithe as produce and livestock for Levites
• placing Malachi in Israel’s national covenant context
• rejecting church-as-temple claims under the New Covenant
• Paul’s rebuke of law-keeping and the curse argument
• Jesus addressing Pharisees under law, not the church
• 2 Corinthians 9 and cheerful, non-compulsory giving
• early church patterns of sharing and aid in Acts
• questioning salaries, buildings, and career pastor models
• a call to loving correction and truthful generosity

Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/077-will-a-man-rob-god-malachi-3-8/

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