What: OUTLIER: “In statistics, an outlier is a data point that differs significantly from other observations. An outlier may be due to variability in the measurement or it may indicate experimental error; the latter are sometimes excluded from the data set. An outlier can cause serious problems in statistical analyses.”
Who: A Variety Of Incredible, Statistical-Outlier Accomplishments!
Amazing Accomplishments Of Some Unusual & Outstanding Sports Figures
Here are some of those sports “outliers.”
Key Biblical Thoughts:
- Bible characters
- accomplishment
- faithfulness
- the apostles
- Paul
- running the race
- a great cloud of witnesses
- Hebrews 11
- one receiveth the prize
- frustration
- God’s will
- comparison
- purpose
- Satan
Sermonic Example: There are several distinct ways to use illustrative material. In this example, we are going to use the fourth method of using illustrative material.
(use whatever you find useful in the above details)
. . . . “In statistics, an outlier is a data point that differs significantly from other observations.” It is an exception of such significance, that it throws off the data set and it skews the statistical average — it makes the statistical average look different than it actually is.
An outlier may be due to variability in the measurement or it may indicate experimental error; the latter are sometimes excluded from the data set. An outlier can cause serious problems in statistical analyses.” . . . . . .
Derek Thompson lays out for us some of the most amazing sports outliers. As you read about those statistical outliers, you are again reminded about some of the most amazing accomplishments — accomplishments that may have been forgotten by many and unknown to others.
This is what a chapter in the Bible is going to do. It is going to lay out for us those biblical outliers of Old Testament history — those who stood out in faith in Old Testament days, when what we all know today was not known, understood, or in many cases even revealed. That is what Hebrews 11 does for us — It lays out some of the most remarkable outliers of Old Testament history!
OR
[You can establish a biblical truth or principle with it!]
“Be Careful”
. . . . “In statistics, an outlier is a data point that differs significantly from other observations.” It is an exception of such significance, that it throws off the data set and it skews the statistical average — it makes the statistical average look different than it actually is.
Derek Thompson lays out for us some of the most amazing sports outliers. As you read about those statistical outliers, you are again reminded about some of the most amazing accomplishments — accomplishments that may have been forgotten by many and unknown to others.
Now Be Careful
Paul is a statistical outlier. He is not the typical and he is not even the typical in Old or New Testament history! He, like many others, was– by far and far — the exception, not the norm, an outlier . . . . .
AND isn’t meant to be the pattern for the norm!
As Paul states, the Lord chose him for a special purpose, as was Samson in his times, as was Gideon in his times.
If you make them a pattern of accomplishment, you will find yourself frustrated and spiritually discouraged.
Outliers are outliers, and when you work an 8-5 job today, making the accomplishments of an outlier the pattern for what you want to accomplish for the Lord is a serious spiritual mistake!
Faithfulness is the only accomplishment you need to pattern yourself after! Faithful, doing what you are meant to do with what God has given you, where you are, for the time He has given you.
RhetoricAndHomiletics.Org 