Author: jmarkfox

So many of us grew up in churches with solo leadership that it is part of our ecclesiology and very difficult to shake. We think the church ought to operate like a corporation: one person at the top, the CEO, and everybody else is under him. Or, there is a board of elders or a … Continue reading What is the Big Deal about Elders?

We are committed to expository preaching as the norm at Antioch. It doesn’t mean we can never share a sermon that is more topical, but probably 45 weeks of the year, we are working our way through a book in the Bible, verse by verse. Why is that helpful? Because we are getting the milk … Continue reading What Is the Big Deal about Expository Preaching?

So, the family returned to Egypt after a long journey to Canaan, where the brothers buried their father, Jacob. When they got back, Joseph’s ten older brothers suddenly realize their father is dead. That’s the way it reads, and it would be funny if it weren’t so sad! Because this triggers in their minds that … Continue reading Love Awakens and Grows More Love

Picture three grown sons standing around their father’s bed on Christmas, 2005. The four men of the family were together for the first time in at least 15 years. The oldest grew up like many firstborns, wanting to please his dad, working for the company that gave his father a career, being a responsible son. … Continue reading Why Not Be Reconciled Today?

The last act of Father Jacob was to bless his twelve sons, and you can read his blessing/prophecies in Genesis 49. Though all of the sons are important in the history of the foundation of Israel, the lion’s share of the blessings go to Judah and Joseph. Judah is the lion of the tribes and … Continue reading He Who is Forgiven Much

A young man asked me once how far he could go with his girlfriend and not sin. I asked him if he thought he would marry this girl one day and he shrugged. I said that if his future wife was ‘out there’ somewhere, what did he hope other guys would be doing with her? … Continue reading First, Conquer Yourself