Finding Your Place
Back to Church Sunday
Scripture: Luke 23:32–33, 39–43 (NKJV)
Lily Baptist Church | Tarrant, Alabama
2026 Vision: All Things New
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Declaration: “I’m becoming who God wants me to be.”
At Lily Baptist Church, our vision calls us to Believe, Belong, and Become.
Believe — Trust God, trust the process, hear God clearly, and respond in worship.
Belong — Honor God, honor ourselves, and honor others while creating an environment for healing.
Become — Represent God everywhere, be the light in the room, and live as an ambassador for Christ.
These three words describe the kind of church we are striving to become:
Lily Baptist Church is a place to Believe, Belong, and Become.
Welcome to Lily
Back to Church Sunday gives us an opportunity not only to worship together but also to introduce—or reintroduce—people to the church.
Lily Baptist Church has served the Brummit Heights community for more than a century. While our roots are in this community, our church family now includes people from communities throughout the Birmingham metropolitan area. Our worship blends traditional and contemporary expressions of faith, including spirituals, hymns, contemporary Christian music, and gospel. We are a multigenerational and multicultural congregation that welcomes everyone.
We also recognize that some people have experienced hurt, disappointment, or frustration in churches.
Churches are not perfect because churches are made up of imperfect people.
We make mistakes.
We fall short.
We are still growing.
But God is perfect, and He is working on us.
If we could see each other spiritually, every member of Lily could wear the same sign:
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
That’s why our declaration matters:
“I’m becoming who God wants me to be.”
You don’t have to arrive at church already having everything figured out.
There is room to grow.
There is room to heal.
There is room to believe.
There is room to belong.
There is room to become.
And that brings us to the story of a man who found his place in one of the most unexpected places imaginable.
He found his place while dying on a cross beside Jesus.
Main Scripture
Luke 23:32–33, 39–43 (NKJV)
“There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’
Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’
And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”
The Story: Three Crosses at Calvary
The sermon invited us to imagine the crucifixion from the perspective of the second criminal.
Jesus was crucified between two criminals. Barabbas, an insurrectionist and murderer who had been imprisoned, was released after the crowd demanded his freedom. Jesus was condemned in his place. The two criminals were then led with Jesus to Calvary.
Imagine what the two criminals could have observed as they made their way toward Calvary.
Jesus had already been beaten.
He struggled beneath the weight of the cross.
Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry it.
A multitude followed Jesus.
Women mourned for Him.
People called Him Rabbi.
Others identified Him as the Christ.
When they arrived at Calvary, the soldiers crucified Jesus between the two criminals. Above Jesus was an inscription identifying Him as the King of the Jews.
Both criminals were near the same Jesus.
Both could observe the same events.
Both were facing death.
Yet they responded to Jesus very differently.
One looked at Jesus and demanded:
“Save Yourself and us.”
The other looked at Jesus and eventually prayed:
“Lord, remember me.”
The difference between those two responses teaches us something about finding our place with God.
1. Recognize Who Jesus Is
The first criminal saw Jesus primarily as a possible means of escape.
Luke 23:39 (NKJV)
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’”
From his perspective, perhaps the request seemed reasonable.
If You really are the Christ, get us out of this.
If You have power, prove it.
If You can save, save us from these crosses.
But the second criminal saw something different.
Luke 23:40–41 (NKJV)
“But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’”
The second criminal recognized something important:
Jesus did not belong on that cross.
The criminals could acknowledge their own guilt, but this man understood that Jesus was innocent.
The sermon imagines him piecing together what he had witnessed—the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ condemnation, the people following Him, the grief surrounding His execution, and the claims concerning His identity. Instead of merely seeing another condemned prisoner, he began to see the suffering Savior.
Who Do You See When You Look at Jesus?
This is where finding our place begins.
Before we can understand where we belong, we have to decide who Jesus is.
Is Jesus simply a historical figure?
A great teacher?
Someone our grandparents believed in?
Someone we hear about at church?
Someone we call when we’re in trouble?
Or is He Lord?
The second criminal eventually says:
Luke 23:42 (NKJV)
“Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’”
Notice his first word:
Lord.
He recognized something about Jesus that changed everything.
Jesus was hanging on a cross, yet this man believed He had a kingdom.
Jesus appeared powerless, yet this man trusted Him with his future.
Jesus was dying, yet this man believed death would not have the final word.
He saw beyond the cross.
He recognized the King.
Recognizing Jesus Requires a Response
Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Christian faith begins with more than knowing facts about Jesus.
We confess Him as Lord.
The second criminal could do nothing to change his past. He could not climb down from his cross and rebuild his reputation. He could not perform years of good works. He could not undo his crimes.
But he could recognize Jesus.
And so can we.
Questions for Reflection
- When you think about Jesus, who is He to you personally?
- Have you ever treated Jesus primarily as someone to call when you need Him to fix a problem?
- What is the difference between wanting Jesus to change your circumstances and recognizing Jesus as Lord?
- The two criminals were equally close physically to Jesus but responded differently spiritually. What does that teach us about simply being around church or religious things?
- What area of your life would change if you completely submitted to Jesus as Lord?
This Week’s Challenge: Look Again at Jesus
Read one chapter from one of the four Gospels each day this week.
As you read, ask:
“What does this passage show me about who Jesus is?”
Write down one thing you discover each day.
Don’t begin by asking what Jesus can do for you.
Begin by asking:
“Who is Jesus, and what does recognizing Him as Lord require of me?”
2. Realize Your Need for Jesus
Something else separates the two criminals.
The second criminal was willing to acknowledge the truth about himself.
Luke 23:40–41 (NKJV)
“Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”
He does not make excuses.
He does not blame Rome.
He does not blame his upbringing.
He does not blame his circumstances.
He acknowledges:
“We indeed justly.”
In other words:
I know what I’ve done.
I know I’ve made mistakes.
I know I’m guilty.
I know I need something I cannot provide for myself.
Finding our place with Jesus requires us to be honest about our need for Jesus.
Grace Begins Where Pretending Ends
Many people believe they have to clean themselves up before coming to God.
The thief on the cross proves otherwise.
He had no opportunity to repair his life before talking to Jesus.
He couldn’t return what he had stolen.
He couldn’t establish a record of church attendance.
He couldn’t join a ministry.
He couldn’t get baptized.
He couldn’t spend years proving that he had changed.
He could only come to Jesus as he was.
That is exactly what he did.
Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
The thief’s condition was dramatic, but his fundamental problem was the same problem every one of us has.
Sin.
The ground is level at the cross.
Some of our sins may look different.
Some of our stories may be different.
Some of us may have been in church for decades.
Others may be walking through the doors for the first time.
But every one of us needs the grace of Jesus Christ.
“Remember Me”
The second criminal makes a remarkably simple request:
Luke 23:42 (NKJV)
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
He doesn’t have a complicated prayer.
He doesn’t use impressive religious language.
He simply recognizes Jesus and recognizes his need.
Lord, remember me.
The sermon imagines the deeper longing behind those words:
Lord, I need You to resurrect my dead living.
I need You to resurrect my sin-sick life.
I need You to resurrect my brokenness.
I need You to raise me out of darkness into Your marvelous light.
I need You to raise me out of despair and deliver me into Your kingdom.
Remember me.
That’s a prayer somebody can still pray today.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is admitting our need sometimes more difficult than admitting someone else’s faults?
- Is there an area of your life where you are making excuses instead of honestly acknowledging your need for God’s grace?
- What does the thief teach us about the idea that we must “get ourselves together” before coming to Jesus?
- What broken, sinful, hurting, or spiritually dead area of your life needs the resurrecting power of Christ?
- If your prayer to Jesus today could be reduced to two words—“Remember me”—what would you be asking Him to remember?
- Are you allowing your past to convince you that you are disqualified from a future with God?
This Week’s Challenge: Stop Hiding
Set aside some quiet time with God this week.
Ask:
“Lord, where do I need Your grace?”
Don’t explain.
Don’t justify.
Don’t compare yourself with somebody else.
Be honest.
Confess what needs to be confessed. Surrender what needs to be surrendered. Ask God to begin transforming what needs to change.
Come to Jesus as you are—and trust Him enough not to remain as you are.
3. Find Your Place With Jesus
The second criminal asks Jesus for something in the future:
Luke 23:42 (NKJV)
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Jesus responds with something even greater:
Luke 23:43 (NKJV)
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”
The thief says, “When.”
Jesus says, “Today.”
The thief says, “Remember me.”
Jesus says, “You will be with Me.”
The thief asks for a place in Christ’s memory.
Jesus gives him a place in Paradise.
The second thief found his place with Jesus.
There Was Still a Place for Him
Think about the man’s circumstances.
He was guilty.
He was condemned.
His past could not be changed.
His opportunities appeared to be gone.
His earthly life was almost over.
Yet there was still a place for him with Jesus.
That is the good news of grace.
Your past does not have greater authority than the grace of God.
Your mistakes do not have greater authority than the cross.
Your failures do not have greater authority than the blood of Jesus.
As long as there is an opportunity to respond to Christ, there is an opportunity to find your place with Him.
Today Matters
Jesus said:
“Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The sermon repeatedly emphasized one word:
Today.
Today, recognize that Jesus is Lord.
Today, while there is breath in your body.
Today, while you have an opportunity to respond.
Today, while Christ is calling you.
Today, you can place your faith in Jesus Christ.
We often assume we have plenty of time to deal with spiritual matters later.
But the second thief didn’t have later.
He had today.
And today was enough.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)
“For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Finding Your Place at Lily
Back to Church Sunday is also an invitation to consider where you are in your spiritual journey.
Maybe this is your first real introduction to Jesus and you simply want to know more.
There is a place to learn.
Maybe you have heard about Jesus but you’re still deciding what you believe.
There is a place to ask questions and grow.
Maybe you are ready to accept Jesus Christ as Lord.
There is a place to believe.
Maybe you have accepted Christ and are ready for baptism.
There is a place to take your next step.
Maybe you once walked closely with Christ but have drifted away and need to rededicate yourself.
There is a place to come back.
Maybe your relationship with Jesus is strong, but you need a church family where you can worship, learn, serve, and grow.
There is a place to belong.
Maybe you are already part of Lily, but God is challenging you to grow into the person He created you to become.
There is a place to become.
This is what we mean when we say:
Lily Baptist Church is a place to Believe, Belong, and Become.
Questions for Reflection
- Where would you say you are in your relationship with Jesus right now?
- What has prevented you from taking your next spiritual step?
- Why do you think Jesus responded so generously to such a simple request from the thief?
- What does Jesus’ promise of “today” teach us about grace?
- Are you postponing a spiritual decision that you already know you need to make?
- Do you currently have a church family where you are genuinely believing, belonging, serving, and becoming?
- If you are already a member of Lily, how can you help someone else find their place here?
- What would “finding your place” look like for you in this season of your life?
This Week’s Challenge: Take Your Next Step
Don’t leave this message as something you simply heard.
Respond.
Identify your next step and take it.
If you need to know more about Jesus, begin learning.
If you need salvation, place your faith in Christ.
If you have accepted Christ but have never been baptized, begin that conversation.
If you have drifted from God, come home.
If you need a church family, prayerfully consider planting yourself in one.
If Lily is your church home, find a place to serve.
If you are already serving, find someone else to encourage.
Whatever your next step may be:
Don’t keep waiting for someday when God is calling you today.
Finding Your Place: Bringing It Together
Two criminals hung beside the same Savior.
Both were guilty.
Both were condemned.
Both were dying.
Both were close enough to speak to Jesus.
But only one recognized the opportunity before him.
He recognized who Jesus was.
He realized his need for Jesus.
And he found his place with Jesus.
That’s the invitation of the gospel.
You don’t have to have a perfect past.
You don’t have to know everything about the Bible.
You don’t have to understand everything about church.
You don’t have to pretend that everything in your life is together.
Remember:
We’re all under construction.
Jesus invites us to come to Him, trust Him, and allow Him to make us new.
Believe. Belong. Become.
The story of the second thief beautifully reflects our vision at Lily.
Believe
The thief looked at Jesus and said:
“Lord.”
He believed.
Belong
Jesus answered:
“You will be with Me.”
He belonged.
Become
His earthly story had been defined by the word criminal.
But his final destination was defined by the grace of Christ:
Paradise.
Jesus changed the ending of his story.
And Jesus is still changing stories.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
That’s why we declare:
“I’m becoming who God wants me to be.”
Invitation: Find Your Place
God created you and loves you.
Our sins have separated us from God, but God’s love is stronger than our sin. Because of His love, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins.
Jesus died.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose again.
And salvation is available through Him.
Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The thief couldn’t change yesterday.
But he could respond to Jesus today.
So can you.
If you are ready to place your faith in Jesus Christ, you can pray:
“God, thank You for creating me and loving me. I realize that I have sinned and have been separated from You. I ask You to forgive me. I believe You sent Your Son Jesus to die and pay the penalty for my sins. I believe He rose from the dead. I confess Jesus as Lord of my life and Savior of my soul. I surrender my life to You and ask You to help me become who You created me to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
If you have made a decision for Christ, want to be baptized, need to rededicate your life, or are looking for a church home, we invite you to connect with Lily Baptist Church.
There is room for you.
There is grace for you.
There is an opportunity for you to grow.
Come find your place.
Believe. Belong. Become.