I need users to access my Apache webserver

Hello all,
I'm trying to configure Apache so that I can host my own website. I want to take advantage of my ADSL connection. My site (jsp/Servlet-based)is currently hosted by a company and I have to pay $19/month for it. My idea is to first configure Apache as my main web server and then configure the Tomcat plugin so that I can transfer my site to it.
My main question is: What do I have to do to allow people to access my apache webserver? I guess I would have to pay somebody something? I think I will also need to have my own IP address which never changes.
Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Hi,
Funny you should ask this, I've been having a number of emails asking me things like this recently.
If you take a look at my website you will see that I have done just what you're trying to do, without spending any money and with a JBoss/MySQL backend (although you won't actually see those).
I am currently writing a tutorial (in a .doc format ATM) which you can download, but please be aware that it is really not complete yet - although the Appendices should go quite a long way to help (they are how I figured it out).
For the record, I have a dynamic I.P. on broadband. In the U.K., at least, I think you will find you are not behind an ISP firewall.
Also, be aware that your site will disappear every time you turn your home pc off

Good luck,
Matt.

Thank you very much Matthew. I am just printing off your tutorial and I intend to follow it step by step. We all learn from the best, don't we? I will be hassling you later on with quesions when I get stuck so please be prepared.