There are three missing notes and lost characteristics in the modern church today.

1.      Acts 4:12 > The New Testament Church was an intolerant church > the unpardonable sin. They were intolerant of any way of salvation, only one way through Jesus Christ. It is straight and narrow.

• In modern church, they practice that Jesus is the best way but other ways are good and will lead to God just the same. They allow so many other ways, compromising the word of God. They believe that a common faith in God is enough without specific faith in Christ. 
•  The New Testament Church was intolerant of sin in its midst. When serious trouble first showed up in Ananias and Sapphira it was dealt with in sudden and certain terms.  
•  In modern church, sin is polished over and excused as we disregard it today in our churches and liars, jealousy, smokers, drunker fill major places in church. The lambs today are so mixed with every other variety that what was once a shelter for sheep has become a zoo. We are accountable to feed His sheep but not to feed wolves. We are paying a terrible price today for our sweet tolerance of sin within the Church.
•  The New Testament Church had a healthy, holy intolerance. It got somewhere because it started out on a narrow road and stuck to it.
•   The New Testament Church was not just a society of people with good intentions; it was a fellowship of people who believed in Jesus Christ as the one and only Savior. They believe, there is only one way, one gospel, the lord of Jesus Christ.
•  Acts 5:12 > Leave Sin out, just speak about forgiveness.

2.      The New Testament Church was a repellent Church > Instead of attracting everybody, it repelled.

• In Acts 4, the church rose to the event and cleaned house. Ananias and Sapphira were carried out dead and the church rolled on. We read, "And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord on Salomon's porch." Here is the church in the full bloom of power: a Spirit-filled church, a wonder-working church; a church that stirred up the devil. 
•  Modern Churches are always trying to attract. Our programs, prizes, picnics, and other distracting activity are aimed to draw the people in. There was a church that prospered by repelling! Churches filled with men and women who sing, "I surrender all," when they have not surrendered anything?
•  What would people think if we took such a stand? Acts 2:47 > the church that stands in the power of the Spirit wins the respect of the people. The preacher and church that stand for God and righteousness will be magnified. Today we excuse our sins, call weakness what God calls wickedness. We shelter sin in the Church, and when a preacher would cry out against it he is advised, "nobody is perfect”. 
•   It will be the attraction of the Holy Spirit, and He will draw out those who really believe.
•  There is a wrong repulsion. Often we force people away by our indifference, criticism, lack of love and passion.

3.      The New Testament Church was sensational Church.

• We are salt without savor; there is no flavor. Our services are dry and flat and tasteless. We need New Testament sensationalism -- not an emotional spree but the earth-shaking stir of a movement of the Holy Spirit. 

·         If we dare to follow New Testament church, we will be Intolerant, sensational. They believed in Jesus Christ as Savior. They were filled with the Spirit.

·          Personal faith in a risen, coming Christ. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Sermon notes from Valley Bible Fellowship, Milford NJ. Date: 7/8/2012.