The founder and former lead pastor of Hillsong Church has returned to the pulpit in the US.
Houston, who resigned from his roles at Hillsong earlier this year after being investigated for misconduct against two women, has been preaching for the last two consecutive Sundays at churches of fellow pastors who "continue to support" him.
On 21st August, in what seemed to be his first pulpit appearance since his resignation, Houston said that God doesn't write people off as men do and that he still has "so much more" to give.
The 68-year-old encouraged the congregation of the Christian Faith Center to not allow their mistakes, failings or brokenness to define the legacy they leave behind.
He named his sermon: "A Legacy That Outlasts You".
"Legacy is just a commitment that you're going to live according to God's purposes in your life. When purpose and destiny and legacy collide, it's like a combustible force. When we attach our lives to God's purpose, it creates legacy. It's the most wonderful way we can live our lives," Houston said.
"We can decide, my mistakes, my failings, my failures here, my brokenness over there, the fact that I got ripped off here, I was offended over there, we can let those things decide our legacy. But that's not what should determine our legacy. It's so much more than that."
Houston had not been publicly seen in pulpits since his resignation in March. Since then, he has been quieter on social media, just posting pictures with his family.
He continued: "People are harder on people than God is by far. Cancel culture will write you off. Maybe social media trolls if you get any of them because I get none," he joked. "They might write you off, but God won't write you off."
"I'm 68 years old, but I realise there is so much more in me. So much still here. That's how we should live our lives," he said to applause.
"So through legacy, we can outlast our critics, we can out-love our detractors, we can outlive our mistakes and our failures. Don't underestimate the power of legacy, but as I said, it always comes with a few twists and turns and unexpected things and setbacks," Houston continued.
Since Houston's resignation and various others scandals facing Hillsong Church, interim pastor Philip Dooley has announced several changes to the church's governance structure. He described the changes as part of their journey to become a more "healthy church".
The former leader of Hillsong also preached on 31st August at James River Church in Missouri about the destiny that God has for us.