Iron Phoenix

Duke Hall

The Iron Phoenix Podcast brings the strength and encouragement of our Saturday sermons directly to you. Designed for men facing life's toughest challenges, our messages offer spiritual guidance, faith-building insights, and practical support. Each episode is a chance to reconnect with your God-given purpose and rise stronger from life’s trials. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, wisdom, or a sense of brotherhood, tune in and join us on the path to faith, strength, and transformation. Together, we rise.

  1. EP28: Do We Have a Cloak?

    11/03/2025

    EP28: Do We Have a Cloak?

    This week, we dove into one of the most powerful symbols in Scripture — the cloak, or mantle, of Elijah. In 1 Kings 19 and 2 Kings 2, Elijah places his cloak on Elisha — a simple act that changes everything. That single gesture represented authority, calling, God’s presence, and divine protection. And when Elisha picked up the fallen cloak after Elijah was taken up to heaven, it marked the passing of anointing and power. But what does that mean for us today? Just as Elisha carried Elijah’s mantle, we now carry the Spirit of God within us. The Holy Spirit is our cloak — unseen, but powerful. It covers, empowers, and calls us to live differently. We explored: ✨ The four meanings of the cloak — authority, presence, calling, and protection. 🔥 How the mantle passed from Elijah to Elisha mirrors Jesus passing His Spirit to His disciples. 💨 Why the cloak isn’t just a garment we wear, but a Spirit we carry everywhere we go. ❤️ And what it means to “put on” this spiritual covering in our daily lives — walking in the fullness of the calling God has placed on us. Elijah’s cloak was a shadow of what believers now carry: You already wear your cloak — it’s in your heart, your obedience, and your faith. Don’t turn back to what you’ve left behind. Walk boldly in your calling. Scripture References: • 1 Kings 19:19–21 • 2 Kings 2:1–15 • Acts 1:8 • John 14:17 • Ephesians 4:24 • Psalm 91:4 • Colossians 1:27, 3:14 • Matthew 28:18–20 • John 20:21–22 📍This message was recorded at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coronado, CA, a space so kindly gifted to us by Rev. Michael Murphy that we have been in for over a month now. 👉 Visit SacredHeartCor.org to learn more about this beautiful community. Visit IronPhoenix.org to learn how you can get involved and see the incredible people already making an impact through this movement.

    35 min
  2. EP 27: Autopilot: When You’re Functioning but Not Feeling

    10/15/2025

    EP 27: Autopilot: When You’re Functioning but Not Feeling

    Have you ever felt like you’re just… going through the motions?You wake up, work, scroll, sleep — repeat. You’re functioning, but not feeling. You’re alive, but not living. In this week’s message, we explore what happens when your heart goes on autopilot — when emotional, spiritual, and mental numbness take over — and how God gently meets us there to restore what’s gone quiet inside. Through the stories of Job, David, and Elijah, we see three powerful portraits of people who loved God but still reached breaking points of exhaustion, silence, and despair. And yet, each found that when words ran out, God’s presence remained. You’ll hear: Why numbness isn’t a lack of faith — it’s often where healing begins. How God responds to burnout and brokenness with compassion, not condemnation. What to do when you’re surviving but not thriving. The practical “swaps” that lead from coping to true spiritual restoration. We also marked our fourth Saturday gathering at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coronado, CA, a space so graciously gifted by Rev. Michael Murphy. Week after week, God is building something beautiful in this community — reminding us that even when we feel numb, He’s not done. If you’ve been stuck in autopilot — emotionally drained, spiritually distant, or just tired of pretending you’re fine — this episode is your reminder:God doesn’t numb; He restores. He’s ready to meet you right where you are and bring life back to your heart. Here are a few key notes from the sermon slides written out for easy reference: When We Feel Numb… What God Offers Instead… 1. Emotional Shutdown — We suppress pain, stop talking, and act like we’re “fine.” Psalm 62:8 — “Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” God invites honesty, not performance. He can handle your raw feelings. 2. Distraction & Overstimulation — We scroll, binge, or stay busy so we don’t have to feel. Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness restores awareness of His presence and brings calm. 3. Substances & Escapes — We use alcohol, lust, food, or thrill to feel something. John 4:14 — “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” Only Christ satisfies the thirst behind our escapes. 4. Isolation — We pull away from people and hide our pain. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 — “If one falls, the other can help them up.” God sends people to carry us when we can’t walk alone. 5. Overworking or Performing — We chase success or productivity to feel worthy. Matthew 11:28–29 — “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” Your worth isn’t in your work — it’s in being loved by Him. 6. Anger & Cynicism — We grow bitter or sarcastic to feel stronger than our hurt. Ezekiel 36:26 — “I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” God softens what pain hardened. 7. Hopeless Thinking — We stop expecting change; we assume it’s over. Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.” God restores belief in what seems impossible. 8. Avoiding God from Shame — We hide because we think we’ve failed Him. 1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” God doesn’t reject the broken; He rebuilds them. Honesty – He invites you to pour out your heart (Psalm 62:8).Stillness – He calms your chaos (Psalm 46:10).Satisfaction – He fills the emptiness that escape can’t (John 4:14).Connection – He sends people to help you stand again (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).Rest – He gives peace beyond performance (Matthew 11:28–29).Softness – He heals the hardened heart (Ezekiel 36:26).Hope – He restores belief in change (Romans 15:13).Forgiveness – He removes shame (1 John 1:9).Purpose – He revives your soul (Psalm 23:3).Presence – He whispers in the quiet (1 Kings 19:12). Visit IronPhoenix.org to learn how you can get involved and see the incredible people already making an impact through this movement.

    35 min
  3. EP:22 Our Father – A Deeper Look at the Lord’s Prayer

    08/03/2025

    EP:22 Our Father – A Deeper Look at the Lord’s Prayer

    We’ve all heard it before—on the field before a game, in a church pew, or memorized from childhood. But how often do we actually understand the Lord’s Prayer? In this episode, we slow things down to take a deep dive into the most well-known prayer in Scripture. Jesus gave us a framework not just for prayer, but for how to see God—how to approach Him, trust Him, and partner with Him in everyday life. We unpack the four powerful sections of Matthew 6:9–13: Our Father in Heaven – What does it mean to see God as Abba, our loving Father? Hallowed Be Your Name – What happens when we worshipfully enjoy God’s presence instead of treating Him like a vending machine? Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done – How can our prayers truly make a difference in the world around us? Daily Bread, Forgiveness, & Deliverance – Why prayer is not just asking, but aligning. We also explore how false images of God—like thinking of Him as an angry judge or distant deity—can hinder our relationship with Him. This episode reminds us that prayer isn’t just something we do in desperation; it’s a way to delight in a Father who’s closer than the air we breathe. If you’ve ever felt like prayer was confusing or mechanical, this one’s for you. There’s a moment at the end where we open up a live conversation about what this prayer means for the guys in our group—don’t miss it. Let this message encourage you to pray with fresh perspective and boldness. Because the way we see God changes everything. Visit ironphoenix.org to join the movement and support what God is doing in San Diego. Subscribe for more episodes, teachings, and Duke’s Saturday sermons.

    23 min
  4. EP 21: The Real You: When Comfort Breaks, Greatness Wakes

    08/03/2025

    EP 21: The Real You: When Comfort Breaks, Greatness Wakes

    What happens when everything comfortable is stripped away—when you're exhausted, empty, and faced with the real you? In this powerful follow-up to last week’s episode on idols, Duke drills deep into one we don’t talk about enough: comfort. This week’s message is raw, fired-up, and filled with truth about what happens when we trade spiritual grit for ease—and what it really means to stand up and fight when all you want to do is quit. You’ll hear: Why comfort is deceptive—and how it lulls you into complacency, even in your faith What the Bible says about exhaustion and how it reveals who you really are How to recognize the inflection point—the decision moment between fighting or folding What Samson’s final stand teaches us about comeback power in your weakest moment How to daily put on the armor of God and choose your new self over the old one Why greatness isn’t born in easy places—but in the grind, in the suffering, and in the surrender This one will stir your soul and make you ask: 👉 What version of me shows up when comfort is gone? 👉 Do I fold in the face of fear… or fight with everything I’ve got? Duke breaks down 5 core truths from a quote that rocked him during the week—and ties them to Scripture, real-life reflection, and a clear call to spiritual arms. You were made to soar like an eagle. You were made to fight. And the real you? That one? He rises. 🛡️ “When the demons show up… are you the one who can stare darkness in the face and say: ‘I hear you, but you don’t get to decide’?” Visit ironphoenix.org to join the movement and support what God is doing in San Diego. Subscribe for more episodes, teachings, and Duke’s Saturday sermons.

    22 min

About

The Iron Phoenix Podcast brings the strength and encouragement of our Saturday sermons directly to you. Designed for men facing life's toughest challenges, our messages offer spiritual guidance, faith-building insights, and practical support. Each episode is a chance to reconnect with your God-given purpose and rise stronger from life’s trials. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, wisdom, or a sense of brotherhood, tune in and join us on the path to faith, strength, and transformation. Together, we rise.