Get Off The Fence - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - June 7, 2026

Get Off The Fence Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 5:9-13 Episode Summary Opening with a hilarious skit about Earl literally sitting on a fence while trying to decide which side to be on (with the threat of Granny Browder looming), Pastor Michael addresses the spiritual fence-sitting that keeps people from committing to Jesus. Through 1 John, he challenges why anyone would hesitate when God has clearly spoken about His Son. Key Points – We trust human witnesses all the time (doctors, weather reports, history books), so God's witness is surely greater and more trustworthy – Claiming to keep an open mind while refusing to believe what's right in front of you isn't careful consideration - it's willful rejection – Believing in Jesus means the testimony moves inside you and changes you - you can't truly know Jesus without being transformed – Refusing to believe what God plainly tells us about Jesus is the same as calling God a liar – Eternal life isn't earned through effort or religious performance but given to those who have the Son - it's relational, not transactional – Assurance of salvation isn't based on feeling confident or victorious but on believing you belong to Jesus through the witness of God – Challenging times don't create faith weakness - they reveal it and strengthen it, like climbing stairs reveals cardiovascular weakness and builds strength Main Takeaway Why sit on the fence when God has spoken? Once you know the truth, you have to get down and make a choice. Continuing to sit on the fence becomes dishonest unbelief, not neutrality. God has testified that "he who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life." Eternal life begins now and reaches fullness in Heaven - it's purpose, peace, strength, renewal, and hope that even death can't take away. At some point, when God has spoken and your next breath isn't promised, you can't keep sitting on the fence. Memorable Quotes – "Why sit on the fence when God Has Spoken?" – "When God has spoken, and we have heard, how can we keep sitting on the fence?" – "Calling God a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given." – "Eternal life is given to those who have The Son." – "Everyone exists, but not everyone has life." – "Sitting on the fence doesn't keep the peace, it just gives both sides something to complain about." – "Sometimes not deciding is a decision. Life will decide for you." Reflection Question Are you sitting on the fence about Jesus, thinking you have plenty of time to decide? What's really keeping you from getting down and committing - fear, pride, unwillingness to change, or something else? Tune in to hear the delightful skit about Earl sitting on a fence with his "hindquarters sawed in half," Jed's warnings about Granny Browder, and Earl's concern about being judged by cows, plus the powerful truth that assurance of salvation isn't about never struggling but about knowing you belong. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly