R.A. Torrey emphasizes Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-21, contrasting Him with false shepherds who seek to harm the sheep. He explains that true shepherds enter through Christ, while thieves and robbers come to steal and destroy. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep intimately, lays down His life for them, and offers them abundant life. Torrey highlights the importance of recognizing the voice of the true Shepherd and following Him, as true sheep will not follow strangers. The sermon calls believers to be vigilant against false teachings and to embody the love and sacrifice of Christ in their own lives.

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Shepherds and Robbers, vv. 1–6 What is the exact translation of v. 2? (See R. V. margin.) What then is the contrast of the opening verses? What is the chief difference between a thief and robber and a shepherd which these verses emphasize? What is the door by which one can properly get admission to the sheep (v. 7)? If one then tries to get access to the sheep except by Jesus Christ what is he? What is the fold spoken of in v. 1 (v. 16)? If one enters to the sheep by Jesus Christ what is he (v. 2)? If we then wish to be shepherds and not thieves or robbers, through whom must we approach the sheep? Were there any in Christ’s day who claimed to be shepherds who were really thieves and robbers? (See vv. 8–10.) Were there any such in the years of Jewish history which preceded Christ’s coming? (Is. 56:10, 12; Ezek. 34:2, 5.) Were there any in the years that immediately followed Christ’s earthly ministry? (Acts 20:29, 30; Ro. 16:18; Titus 1:11; 2 Peter 2:3, 14.) Are there any such today? Who can always recognize the difference between a true shepherd and a thief? (vv. 3, 4, 26, 27.) By what does the true sheep recognize the true shepherd? If any one is unable to distinguish between the voice of the true shepherd and the voice of a thief and a robber, what does it prove that he is not? Having got access to the sheep, what does the shepherd first do? What does this reveal? (Ex. 33:17; 2 Tim. 2:19.) What does the shepherd do with the laggard sheep? How? In whom is this idea of a true shepherd fully realized? (John 13:14, 15; 1 Peter 2:21.) In whom ought it to be realized? (1 Peter 5:2, 3.) What do the sheep do? What shepherd will the sheep follow above all others? (vv. 11, 27.) If one is not following Him as He leads the way what does it prove? (Matt. 16:24; John 12:26.) Why do the sheep follow the shepherd? (8:47.) If one desires to get the power to recognize the voice of Jesus from every other voice what must he become? What will one of Christ’s sheep not do? Why not? If one runs off after every false teacher that comes along what does it conclusively prove that he is not? What will one who is really a sheep do when “a stranger” calls? 2. The Good Shepherd, vv. 7–21 How did our Lord characterize those who came before Him seeking to get the sheep to follow them? What is a thief and robber after? What is a shepherd after (v. 11)? Had these thieves and robbers succeeded in getting the sheep to follow them? Why not? What does Jesus call Himself in v. 9? The door to what? (See context, also John 14:6; Eph. 2:18; Ro. 5:1, 2; Heb. 10:19–22.) To whom does this door stand open? What is the consequence of entering it? How many who enter shall be saved? Do those who enter get anything beside salvation? What is the expression “shall go in and out” meant to teach? What does the thief come for? Of whom is he the imitator? (8:44.) What did Jesus Christ come for? (John 3:17; 12:47; Matt. 20:28; Luke 19:10; 1 Tim. 1:15.) How much life? How abundantly may we have life? (John 1:16; Col. 1:19; 2:9, 10; Eph. 3:19.) Do all who have life have it abundantly? Might they have it abundantly? Why don’t they? In whom does the picture of a shepherd which our Lord has drawn reach its perfect fulfillment? What therefore does He call Himself? Who is the good shepherd of the Old Testament? (Ps. 23:1; Is. 40:10, 11; Ez. 34:11–13.) By taking the title to Himself then whom does He assume to be? What is the crowning proof of the shepherd’s love for his flock? How does our Lord prove that He is the good shepherd? If we wish to be true shepherds what must we be ready to do? If one at the approach of danger leaves the sheep and flees for his own safety what is he? Are there any hirelings nowadays? (1 Peter 5:2; 2 Tim. 4:10.) Why does the hireling flee? How intimate is the mutual understanding between our Lord and His sheep (vv. 14, 15, R. V.)? To what thought does our Lord come back? Why is that fact mentioned so often? Who are “the other sheep” of whom He speaks? (Is. 11:10; 49:6; Zech. 2:11; Acts 15:14.) What will these Gentile sheep do? What will become of the sheep called out of the two folds? (Eph. 2:14.) Was the Father willing that our Lord should lay down His life for the sheep? Was the sacrifice voluntary? In whose will did the sacrifice originate (v. 18)? What was the effect of His words upon the Jews? How often did His words cause division? Why? Why do men reject His words? (John 8:47.) What different opinions were expressed about Him? Was this ever said on any other occasion? What proof did the supporters of our Lord bring that He was not possessed of a demon? Was that good proof? Is there any other proof? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. Our Lord (1). His deity, 11; humanity, 11, 15; obeyed the Father even unto death, 18; loved by the Father because of His obedience, 17; rejected by many, accused of having a demon, suspected of insanity, 20; came that men may have abundant life, 10; had power to lay His life down and to take it again, laid it down at the Father’s command, and of His own free choice, 18. (2). The door: By which a shepherd gets access to the sheep, 1, 7; by which the sheep enter into salvation, 9; any one can enter this door, all who enter find salvation, pasture, security, liberty, 9. (3). The Good Shepherd: Knows the sheep even as, etc., 14, 15, R. V.; is known by His sheep even as, etc., 15; has a personal interest in each sheep and deals individually with each, calls by name, leads them out, 3; thrusts the laggard forth, overlooks none, goes before the sheep, 4; cares for the sheep, 13; lays down His life for the sheep, 11, 15; gives them eternal and abundant life, 10, 28. 2. Christ’s Sheep They know the Shepherd’s voice, 4; hear His voice, follow Him, 3, 27; know not the voice of strangers, will not follow strangers, flee from strangers, 5; know Him even as He knoweth the Father, are known by Him even as, etc., 14; get life, 10, 28; pasture, security, liberty, 9. 3. False Shepherds Seek to get access to the sheep by some other way than our Lord, 1, 7; hirelings, 12; thieves and robbers, 1, 8; care not for the sheep, 13; leave the sheep in time of danger to seek their own safety, 12; come to steal and kill and destroy, 10; the true shepherd looks out for the sheep, the false shepherd looks out for himself.